Carbon materials as fillers for polymer matrix composites

Purpose: Paper presents different types of carbon materials used as modifiers for polymer matrix composites. The article contains summary description of the available varieties of carbon materials from brown and hard coal to the carbon nanotubes and fullerenes.Design/methodology/approach: The aim of the publication is to present different forms of carbon materials, their origins and ways of creation. Paper summarizes also basic properties and possible applications of carbon materials as components of engineering polymeric composites.Findings: Paper especially focuses on types of hard coal (mine coal) as potential fillers for polymers. These materials and their properties and applications were studied in detail by the authors in previous researches.Research limitations/implications: Analysis of the literature and authors’ own research results indicate that carbon materials as fillers can essentially improve many different properties of polymer matrix composites but still have to be extensively searched to fully evaluate their characteristics and possible applications.Practical implications: Particular attention should be directed to the use of mined coal as a properties modifier of polymers because of its interesting properties, low prize and availability in Poland.Originality/value: New types of carbon materials as polymer fillers, their properties and application possibilities are presented.