RBSN processing temperatures

In air, the mechanical properties are influenced by the oxidation processes [543], In materials with a fine overall porosity the oxidation at > 1100 °C closes the pores with the help of an Si02 surface layer. This layer protects the material from further oxidation and heals surface defects. This and the formation of compressive stresses due to the different thermal expansion coefficients between Si02 and RBSN are the reasons for strength increase after oxidation. Materials with a high amount of macropores (>1 pm) oxidise not only at the surface but also inside the volume due to longer closing times of the surface pores. In consequence these oxidation mechanisms result in more intensive oxidation at low temperatures < 1100 °C, due to the slow rate of pore closure and higher internal oxidation. 

Room temperature physical property data for as-processed 1-D and 2-D SiC/RBSN tow composites are shown in Table V. The composites contained 24 vol% SiC fibers and 36 vol% porosity. 

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