Subsurface damage evaluation on carbon-carbon composite structures after high dissipative wear

Evidence is presented of specific damage localized at the edge of carbon-carbon structures submitted to high tribological solicitations like braking. The measurement of this damage is more difficult on account of the geometry of braking structures, but also because of the heterogeneity and porosity typically displayed by the composites used, which are extremely resistant to high temperature. Evaluation of damage is based on meso-hardness at various depths under the braking surface. (C) Academie des Sciences/Elsevier, Paris.