A type of carbon whiskers was synthesized at 2100degreesC. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows that there are spirals in the whiskers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the carbon layers of the whiskers are almost perpendicular to the whisker axis. The apex angle of the whisker with the conical shape is about 135degrees, which is in agreement with one of the apex angles predicted by Double and Hellawell, was not observed till now. It is inferred that the growth mechanism should be disclination one. In addition, the initiation of the disclination might be related to the zirconium carbides (ZrC). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.