Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) foam is an open pore foam material composed solely of vitreous carbon. As its name implies, vitreous carbon is a form of glass-like carbon which combines some of the properties of glass with those of normal industrial carbons. It is isotropic in its material properties unlike other carbon-based materials such as graphite coatings and carbon fibers. RVC has an exceptionally low relative density (3%), high surface area, low resistance to fluid flow, and can withstand very high temperatures in non-oxidizing environments. It is available in a wide range of pore size grades, ranging from 5 to 100 PPI and can be compressed up to 9X to net an even greater specific surface area for highly technical applications.

RVC foam is exceptionally inert over a very wide temperature range, and has very low bulk thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity. Its unusual rigid geometry provides a large surface area and low pressure drop for fluid flow. Additionally, the structure of RVC foam promotes its ability to hold infused materials within controlled porosity ranges. It is a brittle and relatively fragile material unlike metal foams, and therefore is generally not useful as a structural material in applications with large loads.

Common Applications:

Porous Electrodes - RVC foam can be used in electrochemical processes that require very high current distribution areas, and low electrical and fluid flow resistance. The extremely high void volume of RVC means that it can be used in applications where the cell volume loss to electrodes must be minimized.
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High Temperature Insulation - The self-supporting nature, low density, low outgassing, low heat capacity, and excellent K value of RVC foam makes it suitable for use in inert gas and vacuum furnaces. Its unique properties make it more efficient and economical than conventional insulating materials.
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Filters and Demisters - Our RVC foam can be used for filtration in a variety of environments including but not limited to molten metals, corrosive chemicals, and high or low temperature gases and liquids.
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Storage Batteries - As new technologies emerge so do new and increased energy consumption needs. RVC foam can be used in high energy density batteries, such as sodium/sulfur and lithium-aluminum/iron-disulfide battery systems. The ability of the foam to encage infused materials increases its performance and reduces cost in this type of application.
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Scaffolds - RVC is non-toxic and biologically inert, and can be used in pollution control systems for biological growth. Specifically, it can be used as a catalyst or as a support matrix for a catalyst, in tower packings, or in any other structure where low pressure drop, large available surface area, and chemical inertness are necessary.
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Semiconductor Manufacturing - The manufacturing process can be improved using our RVC foam in applications such as etching and diffusion treatment carriers. For a complete explanation of potential semiconductor applications, please visit our Semiconductor Equipment Design/Application Guide.
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Acoustic Control - Our Duocel foam products can all be densified, and RVC foam is no exception. It can be used in extreme conditions to absorb noise with frequencies between 250 Hz and 3 kHz.

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Physical Characteristics of Duocel RVC Foam (3% Nominal Density)
*Varies with pore size (PPI)

Compression Strength*	40-70 psi	(0.28-0.48MPa)
Tensile Strength*	25-50 psi	(0.17-0.34 MPa)
Modulus of Elasticity*	4.5-9 × 103 psi	(31-62 MPa)
Shear Modulus*	4.4 × 103 psi	(30.3 MPa)
Hardness	6-7 Mohs
Specific Heat	.3 BTU/lb·°F	(1.26 J/g·°C)
Bulk Thermal Conductivity	.25 - .35 BTU·in/ft^2·hr·°F	(0.033 - 0.050 W/m·°C)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:
· 0 - 100°C	1.2 × 10-6 in/in·°F	(2.2 × 10-6 m/m·°C)
· 100 - 1000°C	1.8 × 10-6 in/in·°F	(3.2 × 10-6 m/m·°C)
Bulk Resistivity	12.7 × 10-2 ohm · in	(5 × 10-2 ohm · cm)
Temperature Limitations:
· in air	600°F	(315°C)
· in non-oxidizing environment	1800°F	(1000°C)

Additional Duocel RVC Data

View our online Duocel RVC Foam Material brochure.

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