It is usually hard to obtain a good surface quality of carbon/carbon (C/C) composite by turning due to its non-homogeneity and anisotropy. Contrasting experiments of ultrasonic assisted turning (UAT) and common turning (CT) of the C/C composite were carried out using a polycrystalline diamond tool. The cylindrical surface of the turning was classified into four typical types based on different fibre orientations. The influence of fibre distribution characteristics on surface roughness was analysed by measuring and comparing the roughness of these surfaces, and an evaluation method of surface quality for the C/C composite after turning was established. The results of UAT experiments on the C/C composite show that UAT could effectively reduce the machining defect. The roughness of typical surfaces 1 and 2 machined using UAT was about 20 per cent lower than that using CT.