Improved thermal stability of SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites fabricated by PIP process

Abstract

Improvement of the thermal stability of continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites (SiCf/SiC CMC) by the pre-treatment of SiC fillers and the suppression of oxidation during polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process were investigated. Dense SiCf/SiC CMCs were fabricated using the slurry infiltration and PIP process under a purified argon atmosphere. Structure and mechanical properties of the SiCf/SiC CMC heated at different temperatures were evaluated. The flexural strength of the SiCf/SiC CMC decreased only 15.3%after heating at 1400 ?C, which exhibited a clear improvement compared with the literature data (49.5% loss), where severe thermal deterioration of SiCf/SiC composite occurred at high temperatures by the crystallization and decomposition of the precursor-derived ceramic matrix. The thermal stability of the SiCf/SiC CMC fabricated by PIP process was improved by the pre-treatment of SiC fillers for removing oxides and the strict atmosphere control to prevent oxidation.

Study on mechanisms of microwave synthesis of SiC crystal from sheet carbon source

“…There are some other synthesis techniques for the preparation of SiC powders, such as CVD system, solvothermal method, mechanical alloying (MA) process, etc. [14,15]. In these techniques, microwave heating has the advantages of rapid warming, safe operation and reduced energy requirements.…”