Abstract: Compositions including oxycarbide-based nanorods and/or carbide-based nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are provided. Rigid porous structures including oxycarbide-based nanorods and/or carbide based nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are also provided. The compositions and rigid porous structures of the invention can be used either as catalyst and/or catalyst supports in fluid phase catalytic chemical reactions. Processes for making supported catalyst for selected fluid phase catalytic reactions are also provided. The fluid phase catalytic reactions catalyzed include hydrogenation, hydrodesulfurisation, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodemetallisation, hydrodeoxigenation, hydrodearomatization, dehydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, isomerization, alkylation, dealkylation and transalkylation.

Abstract: A composite material includes a ceramic matrix and two different fractions of fiber bundles, namely a reinforcing fiber bundle fraction and a matrix fiber bundle fraction having different average fiber bundle lengths. The fractions of fiber bundles are separated in a total fiber bundle distribution relative to a fiber bundle length by a minimum. A method for manufacturing a composite material and a method for manufacturing elements formed of a composite material are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a rubber reinforcing cord that can be suitably used as a material for reinforcing rubber materials such as tires, belts and hoses and is excellent in fatigue resistance. This invention is also a rubber reinforcing cord in which a carbon fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin composition comprising a rubber, wherein the elastic modulus of dried film of the rubber latex at 25° C. (G′) is 0.4 MPa or less, and the carbon fiber bundle has a knot-breaking strength of 500 MPa or more.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor including a lower electrode layer, a nanotube structure film composed of an insulator matrix and a plurality of nanotubes dispersively arranged in the insulator matrix, a magnetoresistive film provided on the nanotube structure film, and an upper electrode layer provided on the magnetoresistive film. Each nanotube is composed of a circular tubular nonmetal and a circular cylindrical metal surrounded by the circular tubular nonmetal. The nanotube structure film is partially etched at its central region to make conduction of the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer through the magnetoresistive film and the circular cylindrical metal of each nanotube present at the central region.

Abstract: A preform can be molded by resin transfer molding and yields a composite material having excellent strength and excellent interlaminar debonding resistance. The preform, which is for producing a fiber-reinforced composite, comprises layers of laminated structure of a reinforcing material comprising reinforcement fibers and has, between these layers, a layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and having space so as not to inhibit a liquid resin from flowing therethrough. The preform is molded to yield a fiber-reinforced composite material.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites which comprise at least two layers of a multidirectional woven fiber fabric as reinforcement, with at least 5% of the area of each layer of woven fiber fabric being permeated by matrix material, friction disks comprising these composites as core zone or support zone, a process for producing them and their use as brake disks or clutch disks.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved process for the deposition of amorphous hydrogenated carbon film, more specifically an improved low temperature, low power and low vacuum cathodic sputtering process. The invention also concerns the film produced by said process and articles containing an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon fiber sizing agent comprised of water-soluble thermoplastic resin and amphoteric surfactant within a weight ratio range of 6/1 to 1/3, a carbon fiber sizing method comprising treating carbon fibers using a sizing liquid containing the aforementioned sizing agent, sized carbon fibers comprising adhering the aforementioned sizing agent to their surfaces, and a fabric that uses said carbon fibers. The carbon fiber sizing agent of the present invention has satisfactory solubility in water over a wide pH range, and is able to impart to carbon fibers adequate convergence for forming stable chopped carbon fibers, superior workability and satisfactory uniform tow dispersibility in water over a wide pH range. Since a fabric of the present invention demonstrates affinity to water over a wide pH range, it is suitable for applications such as immersing said fabric in an aqueous matrix in order to impregnate the fabric with that matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high modulus macroscopic fiber comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and an acrylonitrile-containing polymer. In one embodiment, the macroscopic fiber is a drawn fiber having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 1 micron. In another embodiment, the acrylonitrile polymer-SWNT composite fiber is made by dispersing SWNT in a solvent, such as dimethyl formamide or dimethyl acetamide, admixing an acrylonitrile-based polymer to form a generally optically homogeneous polyacrylonitrile polymer-SWNT dope, spinning the dope into a fiber, drawing and drying the fiber. Polyacrylonitrile/SWNT composite macroscopic fibers have substantially higher modulus and reduced shrinkage versus a polymer fiber without SWNT. A polyacrylonitrile/SWNT fiber containing 10 wt % SWNT showed over 100% increase in tensile modulus and significantly reduced thermal shrinkage compared to a control fiber without SWNT.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibers which are original (or primary) carbon fibers (OCF) with secondary carbon filaments (SCF) grown thereon, and, if desired, tertiary carbon filaments (TCF) are grown from the surface of SCF forming a filamentous carbon network with high surface area. The methods and apparatus are provided for growing SCF on the OCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases (CG) over the hot surface of the OCF without use of metal-based catalysts. The thickness and length of SCF can be controlled by varying operational conditions of the process, e.g., the nature of CG, temperature, residence time, etc. The optional activation step enables one to produce 3D activated carbon fibers with high surface area. The method and apparatus are provided for growing TCF on the SCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases over the hot surface of the SCF using metal catalyst particles.

Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.

Abstract: A flexure including a plurality of plies of composite material consolidated everywhere except at at least one predefined region where preselected adjacent plies are purposefully delaminated so they can move relative to each other when the flexure is bent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for electrostatically spinning fibers of polyamic acid and the fibers thus produced as well as the nonwoven webs that may be formed from the fibers. According to the processes of the present invention, polyamic acid solutions may be electrostatically spun to form fibers of very small diameter, such as, for instance, less than about 5 &mgr;m in average diameter. The fibers may be formed into a nonwoven web having very high specific surface area and large porosity. The polyamic acid may be converted to polyimide to form a polyimide nonwoven web. The polyimide nonwoven web may then be activated through a carbonization process to enhance the electrochemical properties of the web. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be utilized in a variety of electrochemical applications including, for example, electrical double layer capacitors.

Abstract: A process for producing a carbon foam heat sink is disclosed which obviates the need for conventional oxidative stabilization. The process employs mesophase or isotropic pitch and a simplified process using a single mold. The foam has a relatively uniform distribution of pore sizes and a highly aligned graphic structure in the struts. The foam material can be made into a composite which is useful in high temperature sandwich panels for both thermal and structural applications. The foam is encased and filled with a phase change material to provide a very efficient heat sink device.

Abstract: Trays for carrying magnetic heads for magnetic disks are provided, such as magnetic-head carrying trays which are less apt to cause electrical damage due to electrostatic discharge, an excess flow of contact current, etc. or physicochemical damage such as particle detachment, contamination with ions, etc. The trays for carrying magnetic heads for magnetic disks are trays obtained by molding a conductive thermoplastic resin composition containing a conductive loading material, e.g., a conductive filler, and have a surface resistance of from 103 to 1012 &OHgr;.

Abstract: Carbon-silicon carbide brake preforms are manufactured by carbonizing a blend of carbon (e.g., polyacrylonitrile) fibers and thermosetting pitch resin, optionally along with a lubricant such as graphite, to provide an intermediate product having open porosity and subsequently filling the pores of the intermediate product with silicon by a melt infiltration process. Molded articles that consist principally of carbon, that have relatively high strength and resistance to decomposition by frictional heat, and that are suitable for melt infiltration with silicon, are produced by, e.g.

Abstract: In a honeycomb sandwich panel having a honeycomb core, and a front surface layer and a rear surface layer sandwiching the honeycomb core on its upper and lower surfaces, at least one of the front surface layer and the rear surface layer is made of a fiber reinforced plastic using a phenolic resin as a matrix.

Abstract: Isolated graphitic polyhedral crystal and methods for their isolation are provided wherein the crystals have graphite sheets arranged in a plurality of layers to form an elongated structure having a long axis and a diameter and having 7 or more external facets running substantially the length of the long axis, and take a variety of forms, such as needles, giant nanotubes, nanorods, whiskers, rings, cones, double tipped pyramids and others, as well as their use in a variety of nanoscale devices and endproducts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbonaceous material comprising a graphite particle having a 002 plane interval d002 of less than 0.337 nm as measured by the X-ray wide angle diffraction method; a complex particle disposed and distributed in the vicinity of the surface of the graphite particle, the complex particle comprising silicon and carbon and having a particle size smaller than that of the graphite particle; and an amorphous carbon layer with a plane interval d002 of more than 0.37 nm, the amorphous carbon layer being a polymer layer and being coated on the graphite particle and the complex particle, wherein the complex particle comprises a Si particulate, a conductive carbon material disposed and distributed in the vicinity of the surface of the Si particulate, and a rigid carbon material layer coated on the Si particulate and the conductive carbon material, the Si particulate being composed of a crystalline Si phase.

Abstract: A vapor grown fine carbon fiber including a hollow space along the fiber in its interior, and having a multi-layer structure, an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000 is disclosed. The fiber has a center portion and a peripheral portion, and the center portion having a carbon structure different from that of the peripheral portion. A method for producing the fine carbon fiber, and a battery and gas occlusion material containing the fine carbon fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic microsphere having a low alkali metal oxide content and methods of forming the microsphere and its components are provided. The synthetic microsphere is substantially chemically inert and thus a suitable replacement for natural cenospheres, particularly in caustic environments such as cementitious mixtures. The synthetic microsphere can be made from an agglomerate precursor that includes an aluminosilicate material, such as fly ash, a blowing agent such as sugar, carbon black, and silicon carbide, and a binding agent. The synthetic microsphere is produced when the precursor is fired at a pre-determined temperature profile so as to form either solid or hollow synthetic microspheres depending on the processing conditions and/or components used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tip seal and a seal material for a scroll type compressor with a discharge pressure of 8 MPa or more, comprising a resin composition that is molded into a spiral shape, and that contains an aromatic polyether ketone based resin containing at least 5 to 30% by weight of a carbon fiber and 1 to 30% by weight of a tetrafluoroethylene resin.

Abstract: A printing sheet shaped from a resin containing 5 to 80 wt. % of a fibrous electrically conductive filler less than 100 &OHgr;·cm in volume resistivity, having 3 to 50 &mgr;m in average fiber length, 0.01 to 5 &mgr;m in average fiber diameter and 3 to 100 in aspect ratio and having a surface coated with an electrically conductive layer containing at least a tin oxide and an antimony oxide, or a printing sheet comprising a film substrate and a covering layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate and comprising a resin containing the above conductive filler.

Abstract: Protection products and armored products made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a ceramic matrix, include a protection element for partial or complete absorption of at least one impact-like load focussed at a point. The protection element has a body having at least one dimension at least equal to 3 cm, in a direction perpendicular to a load to be absorbed. The body includes a fiber-reinforced composite material having a ceramic matrix with at least 10% by weight of silicon carbide and having reinforcing fibers. At least 5% by weight of the reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers and/or graphite fibers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a long carbon nanotube yarn includes the following steps: (1) providing a flat and smooth substrate; (2) depositing a catalyst on the substrate; (3) positioning the substrate with the catalyst in a furnace; (4) heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature; (5) supplying a mixture of carbon containing gas and protecting gas into the furnace; (6) controlling a difference between the local temperature of the catalyst and the furnace temperature to be at least 50° C.; (7) controlling the partial pressure of the carbon containing gas to be less than 0.2; (8) growing a number of carbon nanotubes on the substrate such that a carbon nanotube array is formed on the substrate; and (9) drawing out a bundle of carbon nanotubes from the carbon nanotube array such that a carbon nanotube yarn is formed.

Abstract: Nanotube films and articles and methods of making the same are disclosed. A conductive article includes an aggregate of nanotube segments in which the nanotube segments contact other nanotube segments to define a plurality of conductive pathways along the article. The nanotube segments may be single walled carbon nanotubes, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The various segments may have different lengths and may include segments having a length shorter than the length of the article. The articles so formed may be disposed on substrates, and may form an electrical network of nanotubes within the article itself. Conductive articles may be made on a substrate by forming a nanotube fabric on the substrate, and defining a pattern within the fabric in which the pattern corresponds to the conductive article.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical polarizer and a method of fabricating such an optical polarizer. The optical polarizer includes a support member and an optical polarizing film supported by the support member. The optical polarizing film includes a number of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are compactly aligned with and parallel to each other. The optical polarizing film constructed with carbon nanotubes can work at high-temperature and in moist environments and has excellent abrasion resistance properties. Furthermore, a diameter of a carbon nanotube is only about 0.4˜30 nm, so the polarizing ability of the optical polarizer can extend into the UV region. The degree of polarization in the UV region is 0.92.

Abstract: A method for the production of a multifilament carbon fibre-based longitudinal reinforcing element, designed to be incorporated in a rubber-based item. Said method comprises the following steps, whereby untwisted carbon fibres are plunged into an impregnating bath contained a solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and rubber latex, the impregnated fibres are then dried and the dried fibres are subsequently twisted. The inventive method is characterised by the fact that it also comprises a step, during the impregnation step, consisting in opening out the carbon fibres by spreading out the constituent filaments thereof in such a way that each fibre has an increased surface area on which the impregnation can be performed.

Abstract: In carbon reinforcements, in particular when used in carbon-fiber reinforced materials, sulfur-complex forming substances are chemically adsorbed, at least in part, at potential oxidation locations of an hexagonal carbon lattice to provide internal protection against oxidation.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having an outer diameter of about 1 to about 80 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 30,000, comprising a hollow center portion and a multi-layer sheath structure of a plurality of carbon layers, the layers forming annual rings, wherein the sheath-forming carbon layers form an incomplete sheath, i.e., the carbon layers are partially broken or disrupted in a longitudinal direction, and the outer diameter of the carbon fiber and/or the diameter of the hollow center portion are not uniform in a longitudinal direction. The carbon fiber is obtained by instantaneously reacting a carrier gas at a high temperature and an organic compound gas kept at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the transition metal compound and has a conductivity equivalent to that of a conventional vapor phase method and is useful as a filler material in resins, rubbers, paints and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a diffusion substrate assembly that is suitable for use in fuel cells. The diffusion substrate exhibits low flow resistance for active fuel agents and electrochemical reaction products, high electrical cross plane conductance and a good mechanical integrity. In one embodiment, the diffusion substrate includes carbon micro-studs that are in a substantially parallel relationship to one another and extend substantially perpendicular to a supporting bed.

Abstract: A composite carbonaceous heat insulator which comprises a carbonaceous heat-insulating member having a bulk density of 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm3, a carbonaceous protecting layer having a bulk density of 0.3 to 2.0 g/cm3 and comprising a carbon fiber structure and a thermally decomposed carbon penetrated into the structure, and a thermally decomposed carbon coating layer having a bulk density higher than that of the carbonaceous protecting layer, wherein the above carbonaceous protecting layer is jointed to at least a part of the carbonaceous heat-insulating member to form a jointed body, and the thermally decomposed carbon coating layer is formed at least on the face of carbonaceous heat-insulating member in the surface of the jointed body; and a method for manufacturing the insulator. The heat insulator is reduced with respect to the depletion, deterioration and pulverization during the use thereof, while maintaining excellent insulating characteristics.

Abstract: A composite construction 1 is obtained by coating the outer periphery of a core material 2 with a shell layer 3. The core material 2 is composed of a first sintered body that is obtained by bonding, with a binder metal, a first hard particle composed of one or more of carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of metals of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table, or a first ceramics obtained by bonding, with a sintering additive, a first ceramic particle composed of at least one of oxides, carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides selected from the group consisting of metals of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table, Al, Si and Zn. The shell layer 3 is composed of a second hard sintered body or second ceramics having a different composition from the first hard sintered body. The ratio of the residual free carbon amount Cin in the core material 2 to the residual free carbon amount Cout in the shell layer 3, Cin/Cout, is 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: Carbon fiber including graphitized fiber is processed electrochemically in an acidic solution for a time sufficient to run a layer reaction such that the reaction extends to the inside of the fiber and thereafter, as required, heat-treated accurately at 100° C. or more to expand layer spacing to form multifibrous carbon fiber, with which hydrogen is brought into contact, adsorbing hydrogen in the inside of the multifibrous carbon fiber.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a carbon-based metal composite material comprising a carbonaceous matrix and a metal component dispersed in said carbonaceous matrix, wherein at least 90 volume percent of the pores of the carbonaceous matrix is substituted with said metal component, and the content of said metal component is 35% or less based on the total volume of said carbon-based metal composite material; a method of producing a carbon-based metal composite material wherein impregnation of the carbon formed body with molten metal under pressure is carried out by pre-heating said carbon formed body and then impregnating the open pores of the carbon formed body with molten metal under a pressure of at least 200 kg/cm2 of the cross-sectional area of the plunger; and a substrate-shaped formed body for an electronic component comprising a carbon-based metal composite material.

Abstract: The carbon fibers of the present invention have the are configuration as stated below to achieve the object; carbon fibers, characterized in that a polymer having polar groups and groups capable of reacting with a matrix resin are deposited on the fiber surfaces. Furthermore, the carbon fibers of the present invention can be produced by heating the carbon fibers, on the surfaces of which either (1) a monomer having both polar groups and groups capable of reacting with the matrix resin, or (2) the mixture of a monomer having polar groups and a monomer having groups capable of reacting with the matrix resin, is deposited, to polymerize the monomer. The present invention can provide carbon fibers unlikely to cause fluffing and fiber breaking even if rubbed by guide bars and rollers in sophisticated processing, and since they are excellent in adhesion properties to the matrix resin, a carbon fiber reinforced composite material excellent in bending properties and compressive properties can be obtained.

Abstract: he present invention relates to a fibrous base material having a primary layer and a secondary layer of friction modifying particles on at least one surface of the primary layer for use as an anti-shudder friction material. The fibrous base material is impregnated with a phenolic or phenolic-based resin material to form a friction material.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising an expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming monolithic composite capable of being located within a hollow interior portion of a structural material and being expanded therein. Also, articles of manufacture comprising open-cellular structural material containing within the open-cell or cell thereof, at least one expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming monolithic composite. The composite is desirably in the shape of a plug that is similar or close to similar to the shape of the hollow interior. In addition, there is described a process that comprises forming a pre-shaped expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming. monolithic composite for use in reinforcing and stiffening a normally open-cellular structural material.

Abstract: A fabric for reducing endogenous pain by application of the fabric to a pain site to facilitate the flow of endogenous electrical current in the body. The fabric is made from an electrically-conductive yarn and an electrically nonconductive yarn. The fabric is designed to be incorporated into textile articles such as bandages, braces, and clothing.

Abstract: A reinforcing fiber, in particular for fiber composite materials, has a core which is provided with a layer of a pyrolysable binder. A coating of pyrolytic carbon or sugar is provided between the core and the layer fiber strands are provided with reinforcing fibers of this type and fiber strands are coated in this way. Fiber composite materials can be prepared with these reinforcing fibers. Processes for producing reinforcing fibers and composite materials involve coating fiber strands.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material, wherein the method comprises a step of thermally treating coal-based pitch at two temperature ranges of 400° C. to 600° C. and 600° C. to 900° C.; and a step of mixing the thus obtained carbonaceous material with an alkali metal compound and effecting activation thereof at 600° C. to 900° C., and an activated carbon material obtained by the method. When the activated carbon material of the present invention is used a polarizable electrode material of an electric double layer capacitor, high capacitance per electrode is attained without application of excessive voltage. By adding fibrous material to a coal-based pitch during activation expansion of an alkali molten liquid can be suppressed and productivity can be drastically improved.

Abstract: Material from a fibre composite ceramic, constructed from

Abstract: Silicon infiltration technology is used to produce ceramic bodies having utility as ballistic armor. In a first aspect of the invention, the ballistic armor includes a reaction-bonded silicon carbide body (RBSC). Good ballistic performance can be advanced by loading the permeable mass or preform to be infiltrated to a high degree with one or more hard fillers, and by limiting the size of the largest particles making up the mass. In a second aspect, the silicon infiltration technology, e.g., siliconizing or reaction-bonding, is used to bond silicon carbide fibers to at least the back surface of a ceramic armor body, thereby enhancing ballistic stopping power. A third aspect of the invention pertains to the ability to engineer RBSC bodies such that there is little dimensional change during processing, thereby permitting high dimensional reproducibility in large-scale production.

Abstract: A fuel cell gas diffusion substrate comprising primary fibres, secondary fibres and one or more thermoplastic polymers for binding said primary and secondary fibres, characterised in that said secondary carbon fibres are in the form of carbon nanofibres, and a gas diffusion electrode and membrane electrode assembly prepared therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purification of nanotube soot in a non-destructive and efficient method using a polymer having a coiling structure to extract nanotubes from their accompanying material without damage to their structure and with a high mass yield. Nanotube soot is added to a solvent which including a coiling polymer to form a solution. The solution is mixed with a nanotube composite suspension is formed with extraneous solid material such as amorphous carbon settling at the bottom of the solution. The nanotube composite suspension is decanted from the settled solid.

Abstract: Accurately and uniformly cooling a preformed plastic sheet that is formed at elevated temperature in an elongated plastic sheet die, using upper, middle and lower vertically arranged cylindrical cooling rolls closely spaced to one another to engage the sheet between them, and providing one or more auxiliary cooling rolls connected to provide additional cooling for the sheet.

Abstract: The carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle of the present invention is an acrylonitrile-based fiber bundle wherein the ratio of the length and width of the fiber cross section of a monofilament (length/width) is 1.05 to 1.6, and the amount of Si measured by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) atomic emission spectrometry is in the range of 500 to 4,000 ppm. This type of carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle has a high compactness, and the carbonizing processing ability is good. Furthermore, for the carbon fiber bundle which is to obtained hereafter, the resin impregnating ability and tow spreading ability are good, the strength increases, and it has bulkiness. Furthermore, the carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle of the present invention is an acrylonitrile-based fiber bundle wherein the liquid content ratio HW is 40 wt. % or more and less than 60 wt. %.

Abstract: A fine carbon fiber having a multilayer structure having stacked cylindrical carbon sheets and a center axis having a hollow structure. The fine carbon fiber has an outer diameter of 2 to 300 nm and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000, and at least one cylindrical carbon sheet layer among the multiple layers is folded at an end part of the carbon fiber and continued to another cylindrical carbon sheet. The folded and continued cylindrical carbon sheets form a cylindrical structure opened at the end part.

Abstract: Flexible graphite article of manufacture made by compressing a mixture of expanded graphite particle and a fluoro-resin including ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) copolymers after additional heat treatment. An article of manufacture of a gasket material made shows enhanced mechanical properties especially after oil immersion and reduced leakage.

Abstract: Protection products and armored products made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a ceramic matrix, include a protection element for partial or complete absorption of at least one impact-like load focussed at a point. The protection element has a body having at least one dimension at least equal to 3 cm, in a direction perpendicular to a load to be absorbed. The body includes a fiber-reinforced composite material having a ceramic matrix with at least 10% by weight of silicon carbide and having reinforcing fibers. At least 5% by weight of the reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers and/or graphite fibers.