6. Characterizing the physical properties of pyrocarbons

It is the structural and thermostructural properties of pyrocarbons that make them a material of choice for the applications described below. It is therefore essential to know their mechanical and thermal properties, and to have the appropriate mechanical and thermal characterization resources for these materials. It should be noted, however, that a large proportion of materials containing pyrocarbon (composites in particular) are tested as they are, i.e. without distinguishing the pyrocarbon component from the rest. In this section, we'll take a look at test methods specific to pyrocarbon, including when it is embedded in a composite material.