This article is a synthetic survey of the recent researches in the field of pyrocarbons. Pyrocarbon is the form of carbon which deposits on hot surfaces above 900ºC by cracking of hydrocarbons. Applications are in the fields of composite materials, nuclear reactors or biomaterials. Very recently, an important step was reached concerning the understanding of the growth processes. A classification of the low temperature pyrocarbons is introduced. It is based on the measure of carbon defects and anisotropy, using Raman spectroscopy. It provides a comprehensive relationship between growth mechanisms, structure and properties of pyrocarbons.
pyrocarbon; Raman spectroscopy; anisotropy; transmission electron microscopy
