Considerable effort has been directed toward an improved understanding of the production of the strong and stiff ∼ 1-20 μm diameter pyrolytic carbon fibers of the type reported by Koyama and, more recently, by Tibbetts. These macroscopic fibers are produced when pyrolytic carbon filaments (∼ 0.1 μm or less in diameter) are thickened by deposition of carbon during thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon gases. Each such precursor filament normally lengthens in association with an attached catalyst particle. The subject of filamentous carbon formation and much of the work on characterization of the catalyst particles have been reviewed thoroughly by Baker and Harris. However, identification of the catalyst particles remains a problem of continuing interest. The purpose of this work was to characterize the microstructure of the pyrolytic carbon filaments and the catalyst particles formed inside stainless steel and plain carbon steel tubes. For the present study, natural gas (∼; 97 % methane) was passed through type 304 stainless steel and SAE 1020 plain carbon steel tubes at 1240°K.
