On carbonizing phenolic resins, the development of porous structure takes place which influences the transport properties of carbonized materials. To give a true picture of this effect, specimens in the shape of plates were prepared and carbonized at various temperatures. The carbonizates obtained were studied by adsorption methods, electron microscopy, and mercury porosimetry. Diffusivities were evaluated in terms of measuring the kinetics of wetting and drying. It was found out that the porous structure of specimens in different stages of carbonization is formed mostly by micropores whose volumes were within 0.06 to 0.22 cm3/g. The maximum micropore volume is reached at the temperature of 750 °C. The dependence of diffusivity on the carbonization temperature is nearly constant at first, begins to increase in the vicinity of 400 °C, and at 600 °C attains its maximum. The experimental results reached are in agreement with the conception of the development and gradual closing of the microporous structure in the course of carbonization. The dependence of diffusivity on temperature can be expressed by the Arrhenius equation. In this connection, two possible models of mass transport were discussed.
The effect of irradiation and radiolytic oxidation on the porous space of Gilsocarbon nuclear graphite measured with mercury porosimetry and helium pycnometry