Fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites

C. V. Burkland and J.-M. Yang, Chemical Vapor Infiltration of Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix Composites , SAM PE Journal, 25[5], 29-33 (1989). 

Silicon carbide (SiC) matrix composites have been fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration (CVl), polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP), and reaction sintering (RS). The RS process can be recognized as an attractive technique, because it offers a high density and good thermal conductivity, compared to those of CVl and PIP process. In general, the fabrication of fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites by reaction sintering involves melt infiltration (Ml) or liquid silicon infiltration (LSI). However, the fabrication of continuous fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites by RS focused in melt infiltration (Ml) such as liquid silicon infiltration (LSl) Vapor silicon infiltration was rarely used for SiC matrix composites. 

Figure 20.16 Data from Lowder, R.A. (1993) Fiber coatings and the mechanical properties of a continuous fiber reinforced SiC matrix composite , in Designing Ceramic Interfaces II. S.D. Peteves (ed.) Comm, of Europ. Communities Luxembourg pp. 157-72.

This section centers on fiber coatings for non-oxide eomposites in which either the fiber or the matrix is a non-oxide ceramic. Although oxide fiber-reinforced composites have been studied, most of the research available in the literature has focused on SiC fiber-reinforced composites. For example, mullite (3Al203-2Si02) fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites have been fabricated by CVI (chemical vapor infiltration). However, SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composites are superior for the following reasons (1) mullite fiber-reinforced composites do not improve resistance to oxidation, one of the major factors limiting the use of non-oxide composites and (2) SiC fibers have mechanical properties superior to those of mullite fibers. This section will be concerned primarily with SiC fiber-reinforced ceramic composites, which offer the best oxidation resistance of any non-oxide fiber at high temperatures (particularly above 1,100°C [2012°F]). 

FIGURE 6-1 Tensile test results of Nicalon fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites prepared by CVI. Source ... 

Table 7. Mechanical and physical data for continuous fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (MAN-Technology, Germany [173].

Developments for the application of continuous fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (CMCs) have started with and are concentrating on hot components in military and space technology hot gas ducts and thermal heat shields for space... 

D. P. Stinton, R. A. Lowdon, and R. H. Krabill, Mechanical property characterization of fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites, ORNL/TM-11524, April 1990. 

J.A. DiCarlo, H.M. Yun, G.N. Morscher, and R.T. Bhatt, SiC Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix Composites for Thermo structural Applications to 1200°C and Above, in Handbook of Ceramic Composites, N.P. Bansal, Ed., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, MA, 2004, pp. 77-98. 

SiC- Sic and SiC-C (Continuous Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix Composites) Three different processes are commonly used to manufacture carbon fiber-reinforced SiC materials (i) chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) [340] (ii) liquid polymer infiltration (LPI also termed polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, PIP) [341]) and (iii) melt infiltration or liquid silicon infiltration (MI/LSI) [342]. 

Stinton, D.P., Lowdon, R.A., and Krabill, R.H. (1990) Mechanical Property Characterization of Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix Composites. Oak Ridge National Laboratory Report 0RNL/TM-11524 April. 

Ostertag and Haug [194] also used filament winding to prepare carbon fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites using Si polymers as matrix precursors, which were pyrolyzed to form a SiC matrix. 

Carbon fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites suitable for use in hypersonie vehicles and liquid rocket nozzles were developed by the combined process of CVI and precursor impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) [210]. The physical and mechanical properties of the... 

In the fabrication process of three dimensional carbon fiber reinforced SiC matrix composite, Suzuki and Nakano [207] applied PCVI as the final densification process for the specimen, which was made by the joint process of slurry infiltration and organosilicon polymer pyrolysis. The open porosity and bulk density of the specimen changed from 5.3% and 2.63 g-cm (relative density of 94%) to 3.5% and 2.67 g cm (relative density of 95%) by the apphcation of PCVI (1173 1223K, total 90,000 pulses). The flexural strength of the specimen increased over 20% (mean value =153 MPa, maximum value = 174 MPa). 

Figure 7-51. Schematic showing constituents of SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composite.

FABRICATION OF SiC FIBER-REINFORCED SiC MATRIX COMPOSITES BY LOW TEMPERATURE MELT INFILTRATION METHOD USING Si-Hf AND Si-Y ALLOY... 

Fabrication of SiC Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix Composites by Low Temperature Melt Infiltration Method using Si-Hf and Si-Y Alloy Yosuke Okubo, Toyohiko Yano, Katsumi Yoshida, Takuya Aoki, and Toshio Ogasawara... 

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