Abstract: The secondary reinforcement,crbon whiskers,may grow on the surface of parent rein- forcement,carbon fibres,by chemical vapour growth from acetylene using Fe salt as catalyzer.The optimal growing temperature is about 1000℃,and while the concentra- tion of catalytic solution is appropriate,the carbon whiskers may deposite uniformly and link each other on the parent carbon fibre surface.If the temperature or concentration is too high,the coarse clusters of carbon may deposite on the fibre surface.The mechanism of carbon whisker growth is believed that the carbon atoms in vapour phase dissolve in the Fe salt drops over fibres,then the solid carbon grains precipitate on the fibre surface.

Key words: carbon whisker, carbon fibre, vapour growth, Fe catalyzer