A　near　net-shape　graphitic　carbon　foam　(GCF)　with　a　continuous　network　of　graphite　nanosheets　was　prepared　by　direct　carbonization　of　epoxy　resin　filled　with　nano-Al2O3.　The　effects　of　carbonization　temperature　on　the　properties　of　the　resulting　carbon　foams　were　investigated　by　SEM,　TEM,　XRD,　Raman,　thermal　conductivity　and　compression　strength　test.　The　results　show　that　the　as-prepared　GCF　can　maintain　well　dimensional　stability　upon　carbonization.　The　carbothermal　reaction　between　the　nano-Al2O3　and　carbon　foam　matrix　greatly　influences　the　microstructure　of　carbon　foam　and　promotes　its　growth　of　the　continuous　network　of　graphite　nanosheets.　In　addition,　the　GCF　prepared　at　1700　°C　possesses　a　compressive　strength　of　2.34　MPa　with　a　bulk　density　of　0.19　g　cm-3,　and　meanwhile　presents　a　high　graphitization　degree　of　65.12%　and　a　thermal　conductivity　of　2.02　W/mK.　The　continuous　network　of　graphite　nanosheets　favors　the　enhancement　of　thermal　conductivity　of　carbon　foam　and　simultaneously　prevents　the　decline　of　compressive　strength　further.　©　2022　Elsevier　Ltd　and　Techna　Group　S.r.l.