Isroaniso matrix precursor synthesized from commercially available petroleum pitch was stabilized in air. The influence of oxygen mass gain during stabilization on the yield of matrix precursor was studied. Additionally, the influence of pressure on the yield of the stabilized matrix precursor in a real system was studied. The fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), yield, yield rate, and yield impact were used to check the effect of stabilization and pressure on the yield of the matrix precursor and the end properties of the composite thereafter. The results showed that the yield increased with stabilization duration up to 20 h whereas it decreased for stabilization duration beyond 20 h. Further results showed that the stabilized matrix precursor for a duration of 5 h could withstand almost two-fold greater hot-pressing pressure without resulting in exudation as compared to that of a 1 h stabilized matrix precursor. The enhanced hot-pressing pressure significantly improved the yield of the matrix precursor. As a consequence, the densification and mechanical properties were increased significantly. Further, the matrix precursor stabilized for a duration of 20 h or more failed to provide proper and uniform binding of the reinforcement.

• Thakur Sudesh Kumar Raunija(Carbon and Ceramics Laboratory (CCL), Materials and Mechanical Entity, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Thiruvananthapuram 695022, India. Sustainable Environergy Research Lab (SERL), Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India) Corresponding Author
• Sharad Chandra Sharma(Materials and Metallurgy Group (MMG), Materials and Mechanical Entity, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Thiruvananthapuram 695022, India)
• Anil Verma(Sustainable Environergy Research Lab (SERL), Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India)