Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites

Leuchs, M. (2008) in Ceramic Matrix Composites, Fiber Reinforced Ceramics and their Applications (ed. W. Krenkel), Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, pp. 141-161. 

A. Kohyama, in W. Krenkel (Ed.), Ceramic Matrix Composites Fiber Reinforced Ceramics and Their Applications, WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co., Weinheim, Germany, 2008, pp. 353—384. 

Reinforcements. The high modulus, high intrinsic strength, and temperature stabiHty make SiC, in the form of whiskers, platelets, and fibers, a promising candidate reinforcement material for metal, polymer, and ceramic matrix composites (qv). 

Directed Oxidation of a Molten Metal. Directed oxidation of a molten metal or the Lanxide process (45,68,91) involves the reaction of a molten metal with a gaseous oxidant, eg, A1 with O2 in air, to form a porous three-dimensional oxide that grows outward from the metal/ceramic surface. The process proceeds via capillary action as the molten metal wicks into open pore channels in the oxide scale growth. Reinforced ceramic matrix composites can be formed by positioning inert filler materials, eg, fibers, whiskers, and/or particulates, in the path of the oxide scale growth. The resultant composite is comprised of both interconnected metal and ceramic. Typically 5—30 vol % metal remains after processing. The composite product maintains many of the desirable properties of a ceramic however, the presence of the metal serves to increase the fracture toughness of the composite. 

Table 5. Fiber Reinforcements for Ceramic-Matrix Composite ...

Ceramic matrix composites are candidate materials for high temperature stmctural appHcations. Ceramic matrices with properties of high strength, hardness, and thermal and chemical stabiUty coupled with low density are reinforced with ceramic second phases that impart the high toughness and damage tolerance which is required of such stmctural materials. The varieties of reinforcements include particles, platelets, whiskers and continuous fibers. Placement of reinforcements within the matrix determines the isotropy of the composite properties. 

Astroquartz, fiber reinforcement for ceramic- matrix composite, 5 558t Asymmetric allylboration, 13 669-671 Asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes, 21 633... 

Continuous fiber reinforcement, 5 555, 654 performance in ceramic—matrix composites, 5 576-577 Continuous fibers, 11 177... 

Sun, E.Y., Nutt, S.R. and Brennan, J.J. (1994). Interfacial microstructure and chemistry of SiC/BN dual-coated Nicalon-fiber reinforced glass-ceramic matrix composites. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 77, 1329-1239. 

Evans, A.G. (1989). The mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 107, 227-239. 

As noted earlier, CVl is nsed primarily to form ceramic-fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites. The most common of these combinations is SiC fiber/SiC matrix composites. One commercially available product has a two-dimensional 0/90 layup of plain weave fabric and fiber volume fraction of about 40%. This same composite can be fabricated with unidirectional fibers and with 45° architectures. The most commonly used SiC fiber for the preforms is Nicalon , the mechanical properties for which were provided earlier in Section 5.4.2.7. A number of other carbide and nitride fibers are also available, including Si3N4, BN, and TiC. Preform geometries can be tailored to the application in order to maximize strength and toughness in the direction of maximnm stresses. The reactions used to form the matrix are similar to those used in CVD processes (cf. Section 7.2.4) and those described previously in Eq. (3.105). 

Fiber reinforcements -for ceramic-matrix composites [COMPOSITE MATERIALS - CERAMIC MATRIX] (Vol 7)... 

Access to phase pure silicon nitride materials via processable precursors is limited to just three approaches. The first, shown in reaction 6, provides one of the first oligomers exploited as a preceramic polymer24,253. This simple polysilazane, containing only Si, N and H, is known to be relatively unstable and will crosslink on its own to give intractable gels. Furthermore, it does not offer the 3Si I4N stoichiometry required for Si3N4. Nonetheless, it is useful as a binder and for fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)31. 

In the presentation of the elevated temperature mechanical behavior of ceramic matrix composites, some degree of separation has also been made between fiber-reinforced and whisker- or particulate-reinforced composites. This has been necessary because of the way the field has evolved. The continuous fiber-reinforced composites area in many ways has evolved as a field in its own right, driven by developments in fiber processing technology. 

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