The graphitization of furfuryl alchohol condensate mixed with 4.0 vol% of carbon fibre was investigated as a function of heat treatment temperature with an aid of optical microscope in polarized light and X-ray diffraction technique. Lamellar structure considered as graphite has evolved microscopically arranging per pendicular to the direction of compressive stress in optically anisotropic matrix heat treated above 2200•Ž. The X-ray diffraction profile corresponding to the (004) diffraction of

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... raphite was separated into two components with 2 d(004)•à3.42 and 3.36 A. Although the first component showed no remarkable change irrespective of the heat treatment temperature, the second component increased its intensity and decreased its spacing nearly to that of graphite, as the heat treatment temperature was raised. The high angle second component corresponded to the lamellar structure. The stress induced in the matrix near