Glass and Ceramic Matrices

Ziegler et al [249] prepared carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites by infiltration of fiber preforms using the polymer infiltration pyrolysis (PIP) technique. 

Hegeler and Bruckner [250] have reported the mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced glasses and Saewong and Rawlings have determined the erosion of carbon fiber reinforced glass-ceramic composites [251]. 

Modal fracture energies of carbon fiber reinforced pitch derived carbon composites heat treated at 1000°C and 1200°C were evaluated [255] and the tensile fracture energies of the composites were 0.92 and 1.4 kJ m respectively, the shear fracture energies were 0.020 and 0.030 kJm , respectively. 

Tani and Shobu [256] fabricated unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced SiC composites with a polymer pyrolysed and reaction bonded SiC matrix. In spite of a low density of about 1.85 mgm , the flexural strength of the composites was about 530 MPa. Addition of polymer decreased the open porosity and increased the elastic modulus of the composites. 

SEVNB decreased at 1723 K from 4.8 to 4.2 MPam . The results suggest that fiber bridging is an effective toughening mechanism at high temperature. A material with toughness independent of temperature was developed by using fiber bridging. 

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A foreign technology that could be considered by CNEA is the melt-dilute process, provided it complies with the acceptance criteria applied to deep geological disposal. In this sense, the melt-dilute process should gain more evidence about the long term durability of the aluminium matrix in comparison to glass and ceramic matrices. 

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