Structural evolution and mechanical properties of Cansas-III SiC fibers after thermal treatment up to 1700 °C

The effects of thermal treatment on the Cansas-Ⅲ SiC fibers were investigated via heating at temperatures from 900 to 1700 ℃ for 1–5 h in argon atmosphere. The composition and morphology of the SiC fibers were characterized and the tensile strength of the SiC fiber bundles was analyzed via two-parameter Weibull distribution analysis. The results showed that the thermal treatment has negligible influence on the microstructure of the SiC fibers at temperatures ≤ 1100 ℃. At temperatures ≥ 1300 ℃, the surface of the fibers became rough with some visible particles. Particularly, at 1700 °C, numbers of holes appeared. With the increasing of heating temperature and holding time, the average tensile strength of the SiC fibers decreased gradually from 1.81 to 1.01 GPa. The decreasing of tensile strength can be attributed to the increase of critical defect sizes, grain growth and phase transformation (β→α) of SiC.     

Mechanical,thermal, and dielectric properties of SiCf/SiC composites reinforced with electrospun SiC fibers by PIP

Electrospun unidirectional SiC fibers reinforced SiC_f/SiC composites (e-SiC_f/SiC) were prepared with ∼10% volume fraction by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. Pyrolysis temperature was varied to investigate the changes in microstructures, mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of e-SiC_f/SiC composites. The composites prepared at 1100 °C exhibit the highest flexural strength of 286.0 ± 33.9 MPa, then reduced at 1300 °C, mainly due to the degradation of electrospun SiC fibers, increased porosity, and reaction-controlled interfacial bonding. The thermal conductivity of e-SiC_f/SiC prepared at 1300 °C reached 2.663 W/(m∙K). The dielectric properties of e-SiC_f/SiC composites were also investigated and the complex permittivities increase with raising pyrolysis temperature. The e-SiC_f/SiC composites prepared at 1300 °C exhibited EMI shielding effectiveness exceeding 24 dB over the whole X band. The electrospun SiC fibers reinforced SiC_f/SiC composites can serve as a potential material for structural components and EMI shielding applications in the future.     

Improved thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites using pitch-based carbon fibers

Pitch-based carbon fibers were assembled in horizontal and thickness directions of SiC/SiC composites to form three-dimensional heat conduction networks. The effects of heat conduction networks on microstructures, mechanics, and thermal conductivities were investigated. The results revealed the benefit of introducing heat conduction networks in the densification of composites. The maximum bending strength and interlaminar shear strength of the modified composites reached 568.67 MPa and 68.48 MPa, respectively. These values were equivalent to 18.6% and 69.4% increase compared to those of composites without channels. However, channels in thickness direction destroyed the continuity of fibers and matrix, creating numerous defects. As the volume fraction of heat conduction channels rose, the pinning strengthening effect of channels and influence of defects competed with each other to result in first enhanced mechanical properties followed by a decline. The in-plane thermal conductivity was found anisotropic with a maximum value reaching 86.20 W/(m·K) after introducing pitch-based carbon unidirectional tapes. The thermal conductivity in thickness direction increased with volume fraction of pitch-based carbon fibers and reached 19.13 W/(m·K) at 3.87 vol% pitch-based carbon fibers in the thickness direction. This value was 90.75% higher than that of composites without channels.     

The mechanical,thermophysical and electromagnetic properties of UD SiCf/SiC composites in different directions

Unidirectional (UD) silicon carbide (SiC) fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (UD SiC_f/SiC) composites with CVI BN interphase were fabricated by polymer infiltration-pyrolysis (PIP) process. The effects of the anisotropic distribution of SiC fibers on the mechanical properties, thermophysical properties and electromagnetic properties of UD SiC_f/SiC composites in different directions were studied. In the direction parallel to the axial direction of SiC fibers, SiC fibers bear the load and BN interphase ensures the interface debonding, so the flexural strength and the fracture toughness of the UD SiC_f/SiC composites are 813.0 ± 32.4 MPa and 26.1 ± 2.9 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. In the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of SiC fibers, SiC fibers cannot bear the load and the low interfacial bonding strengths between SiC fiber/BN interphase (F/I) and BN interphase/SiC matrix (I/M) both decrease the matrix cracking stress, so the corresponding values are 36.6 ± 6.9 MPa and 0.9 ± 0.5 MPa?m^1/2, respectively. The thermal expansion behaviors of UD SiC_f/SiC composites are similar to those of SiC fibers in the direction parallel to the axial direction of SiC fibers, and are similiar to those of SiC matrix in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of SiC fibers. The total electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EM SE_T) of UD SiC_f/SiC composites attains 32 dB and 29 dB when the axial direction of SiC fibers is perpendicular and parallel to the electric field direction, respectively. The difference of conductivity in different directions is the main reason causing the different SE_T. And the dominant electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding mechanism is absorption for both studied directions.     

Mechanical and thermal properties and microstructural evolution of Ta-doped Nb4AlC3

(Nb_1-xTa_x)₄AlC₃ (x = 0–0.5) ceramics were prepared by the hot press sintering method. The XRD results show that the second phase (Nb_1-xTa_x)C is formed when the Ta content increases to 25 mol%. The SEM micrographs show that (Nb_1-xTa_x)C has a core/rim structure, whose formation mechanism was also investigated. Substituting some Ta for Nb can significantly improve the mechanical properties of Nb₄AlC₃. (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ exhibits an excellent fracture toughness of 8.3 ± 0.3 MPa m^1/2 at room temperature (RT). The highest Young's modulus (349 ± 16 GPa) and Vickers hardness (4.5 ± 0.3 GPa) at RT are exhibited by the (Nb_0.5Ta_0.5)₄AlC₃ sample, which correlate to increases of 18% and 80%, respectively, compared with those of Nb₄AlC₃. The flexural strengths of (Nb_0.5Ta_0.5)₄AlC₃ are 439 ± 18 MPa at RT and 344 ± 22 MPa at 1100 °C, which correlate to increases of 27% and 45%, respectively, compared with those of Nb₄AlC₃. The solid solution of Ta and the formation of (Nb_1-xTa_x)C are beneficial to the strengthening of Nb₄AlC₃. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) increases slightly from 7.08 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for Nb₄AlC₃ to 7.24 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ at 25–1400 °C. The thermal conductivity of (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ (28.4–29.8 W/m·K) is higher than that of Nb₄AlC₃ (18.1–21.2 W/m·K) over the whole test range (25–1000 °C). Owing to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties, Ta-doped Nb₄AlC₃ ceramics have good potential as structural materials.     

Micromechanical properties and microstructural evolution of Amosic-3 SiC/SiC composites irradiated by silicon ions

In this work, Amosic-3 SiC/SiC composites were irradiated to 10 dpa and 115 dpa with 300 keV Si ions at 300 °C. To evaluate its irradiation behaviour and investigate the underlying mechanism, nanoindentation, AFM, Raman and electron microscopy were utilized. Nanoindentation showed that although micromechanical properties declined after irradiation, hardness and Young’s modulus were maintained better under 115 dpa. AFM manifested differential swelling among PyC interface, fiber and matrix and SEM showed irradiation-induced partial interface debonding, which are both more obvious under 115 dpa. TEM revealed the generation and proliferation of amorphous regions, which is according with the decline and broadening of peaks in Raman spectra. The material was almost completely amorphous after irradiated to 10 dpa while recrystallization occurred under 115 dpa. All results mentioned above contribute to the decline of hardness and Young’s modulus and may explain why the micromechanical degradation was more significant under 10 dpa.     

Preparation and characterization of SiC fibers with diverse electrical resistivity through pyrolysis under reactive atmospheres

Due to their fantastic mechanical and high-temperature resistant properties, SiC fibers with electrical resistivity of different orders of magnitude are of great interest for the fabrication of advanced composites with electromagnetic wave absorbent performance as both structural and functional materials. On the basis of well-developed route to prepare SiC fibers, in this work, we demonstrated a facile strategy to fabricate SiC fibers with electrical resistivity of 10⁻¹–10⁶ Ω cm by simply employing hydrogen and ammonia as the reactive atmospheres. The SiC fibers with different electrical resistivity had favorable morphologies, with uniform elemental distribution and stable C/Si ratio towards the fiber interior. Moreover, these fibers exhibited excellent mechanical strength and high temperature performance. Due to the innovative strategy, convenient operation and scalable preparation, the method in this work can be further extended to prepare SiC base fibers with adjustable electrical resistivity from other precursors.     

Effect of sintering additives on microstructures and mechanical properties of short-carbon-fiber-reinforced SiC composites prepared by precursor pyrolysis–hot pressing

Short-carbon-fiber-reinforced SiC composites were prepared by precursor pyrolysis–hot pressing with MgO–Al₂O₃–Y₂O₃ as sintering additives. The effects of the amount of sintering additives on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the composites could be densified at a relatively low temperature of 1800 °C via the liquid-phase sintering mechanism and the composite density and mechanical properties improved with the amount of additives. The amorphous interphase in the composites with more additive content, not only avoided the direct contact of the fibers with matrix, but also improved the fiber–matrix bonding. It proved that the fiber–matrix interphase characteristics played a key role in controlling mechanical properties of the composites.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of KD-SA SiCf/BN/SiC CMCs oxidized at different temperatures

Silicon carbide fiber-reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites (SiC_f/SiC CMCs) based on a domestic KD-SA SiC fiber were exposed to a wet oxygen atmosphere for 135 h at 800, 1100, and 1300°C. The evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC_f/SiC CMCs have been systematically investigated following oxidation. For weight change, CMC-1300 showed the greatest gain (0.394%), followed by CMC-1100 (0.356%) and CMC-800 (0.149%). The volatilization of boron oxide (B₂O₃) combined with the slight oxidation of the SiC matrix at 800°C caused crack deflection and fiber pull-out. The complete dissipation of the interphase could be found when the oxidation temperature increases to 1100°C, generated a fracture surface with brittle fracture characteristics. At 1300°C, crystalline SiO₂ hindered oxygen diffusion, with evidence of fiber pull-out. Based on thermodynamic calculations and microscopic observations, we propose a mechanism to explain the thermal degradation of SiC_f/SiC CMCs. This work offers valuable guidance for the fabrication of SiC_f/SiC CMCs that are suitable for high-temperature applications.     

Mechanical properties of the SiCf/SiC composites reinforced with KD-I and KD-II fibers fabricated assisted by a microwave heating method

SiC_f/SiC composites using KD-I and KD-II SiC fibers braided preforms as the reinforcements were fabricated by applying the polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) technique with a microwave heating assistance. The microwave heating temperature was 1100 °C, 1200 °C, 1300 °C, and 1400 °C, respectively. Microstructures, flexure properties, and fracture behaviors of the composites were investigated. The KDIISiC_f/SiC composites exhibited higher flexure properties and improved non-brittle fracture characteristics than those of the KD-ISiC_f/SiC composites. The differences in the flexural properties, fracture behaviors and microstructures between the KD-I and KDIISiC_f/SiC composites were discussed based on the tensile properties of the SiC filaments and the interfacial bonding statues in the composites.     

Mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism of SiCf/SiC mini-composites modified by SiC nanowires

The effects of the SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) and PyC interface layers on the mechanical and anti-oxidation properties of SiC fiber (SiC_f)/SiC composites were investigated. To achieve this, the PyC layer was coated on the SiC_f using a chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) method. Then, SiCNWs were successfully coated on the surface of SiC_f/PyC using the electrophoretic deposition method. Finally, a thin PyC layer was coated on the surface of SiC_f/PyC/SiCNWs. Three mini-composites, SiC_f/PyC/SiC, SiC_f/PyC/SiCNWs/SiC, and SiC_f/PyC/SiCNWs/PyC/SiC, were fabricated using the typical precursor infiltration and pyrolysis method. The morphologies of the samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Tensile and single-fibre push-out tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical performance and interfacial shear strength of the composites before and after oxidization at 1200 °C. The results revealed that the SiC_f/PyC/SiCNWs/SiC composites showed the best mechanical and anti-oxidation performance among all the composites investigated. The strengthening and toughening is mainly achieved by SiCNWs optimization of the interfacial bonding strength of the composite and its own nano-toughening. On the basis of the results, the effects of SiCNWs on the oxidation process and retardation mechanism of the SiC_f/SiC mini-composites were investigated.     

Controllable fabrication and mechanical properties of C/C–SiC composites based on an electromagnetic induction heating reactive melt infiltration

To regulate the microstructures of carbide ceramic-doped C/C (C/C-ceramic) composites using reactive melting infiltration (RMI) in a controlled manner, an electromagnetic induction heating RMI (ERMI) was proposed and used to fabricate typical C/C–SiC composites herein. Because the tedious heating and cooling regions could be bypassed using ERMI, excessive graphitization and ceramic overreactions of the ERMI-C/C-SiC composites were effectively avoided, which made the interfacial bonding strength (τ) of the ERMI-C/C–SiC composites (～25.7 MPa) much lower than that of the CRMI-C/C-SiC composites (～36.1 MPa) (fabricated using conventional RMI (CRMI)). A weaker τ value triggered strengthening/toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection, and crack arrest, which ultimately led to higher flexural strength and displacement of the ERMI-C/C–SiC composites than the CRMI-C/C–SiC composites. The proposed ERMI exhibited relatively good controlling capability to regulate the microstructures of C/C-ceramic composites.     

Effect of SiC nanowires on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of 3D-SiCf/SiC composites prepared via precursor infiltration pyrolysis

In this study, SiC nanowires (SiC_NWS) were grown in situ on the surface of PyC interface through chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) to improve the mechanical characteristics and thermal conductivity of three-dimensional SiC_f/SiC composites fabricated via precursor infiltration pyrolysis (PIP). The effect of SiC_NWS on the properties of the obtained composites was investigated by comparing them with conventional SiC_f/PyC/SiC composites. After the deposition of SiC_NWS, the flexural strength of the SiC_f/SiC composites was found to increase by 46 %, and the thermal conductivity showed an obvious increase at 25?1000 °C. The energy release of the composites in the damage evolution process was analysed by acoustic emission. The results indicated that the damage evolution process was delayed owing to the decrease in porosity, the crack deflection and bridging of the SiC_NWS. Furthermore, the excellent thermal conductivity was attributed to the thermally conductive pathways formed by the SiC_NWS in the dense structure.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of SiC whisker-reinforced SiC composites via oscillatory pressure sintering

SiC whisker (SiCw)-reinforced SiC composites were prepared by an oscillatory pressure sintering (OPS) process, and the effects of SiCw content on the microstructure and mechanical and tribological properties of such composites were investigated. The addition of SiCw could promote the formation of long columnar α-SiC, and the aspect ratio of α-SiC grains first increased and then decreased with the increase of SiCw content. When the SiCw content was 5.42 wt%, the relative density of the SiC–SiCw composite reached up to 99.45%. The SiC–5.42 wt% SiCw composite possessed the highest Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength of 30.68 GPa, 6.66 MPa·m^1/2, and 733 MPa, respectively. In addition, the SiC–5.42 wt% SiCw composite exhibited the excellent wear resistance when rubbed with GCr15 steel balls, with a friction coefficient of .76 and a wear rate of 4.12 × 10⁻⁷ mm³·N⁻¹·m⁻¹. This could be ascribed to the improved mechanical properties of SiC–SiCw composites, which enhanced the ability to resist peeling and micro-cutting, thereby enhancing the tribological properties of the composites.     

Effects of fabrication processes on the properties of SiC/SiC composites

Precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) were used to fabricate SiC/SiC composites on a four-step 3D SiC fibre preform deposited with a pyrolytic carbon interface. The effects of fabrication processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the SiC/SiC composites were studied. Results showed the presence of irregular cracks in the matrix of the SiC/SiC composites prepared through PIP, and the crystal structure was amorphous. The room temperature flexural strength and modulus were 873.62 MPa and 98.16 GPa, respectively. The matrix of the SiC/SiC composites prepared through CVI was tightly bonded without cracks, the crystal structure had high crystallinity, and the room temperature bending strength and modulus were 790.79 MPa and 150.32 GPa, respectively. After heat treatment at 1300 °C for 50 h, the flexural strength and modulus retention rate of the SiC/SiC composites prepared through PIP were 50.01% and 61.87%, and those of the composites prepared through CVI were 99.24% and 96.18%, respectively. The mechanism of the evolution of the mechanical properties after heat treatment was examined, and the analysis revealed that it was caused by the different fabrication processes of the SiC matrix. After heat treatment, the SiC crystallites prepared through PIP greatly increased, and the SiOxCy in the matrix decomposed to produce volatile gases SiO and/or CO, ultimately leading to an increase in the number of cracks and porosity in the material and a decrease in the material load-bearing capacity. However, the size of the SiC crystallites prepared through CVI hardly changed, the SiC matrix was tightly bonded without cracks, and the load-bearing capacity only slightly changed.     

Relationship between microstructure and electromagnetic properties of SiC fibers

The microstructure and electromagnetic (EM) properties of four kinds of SiC fibers have been studied. These fibers are composed of amorphous SiC_xO_y, SiC nanocrystallines, free carbon, and nanopores, whose volume fractions are analyzed quantitatively. The content of free carbon notably affects the fiber's conductivity: the logarithm of conductivity increases linearly with the increase in the free carbon content when the volume fraction sum of free carbon and SiC exceed the percolation threshold. The EM loss mechanism is mainly composed of the conduction loss caused by free carbon and the polarization loss caused by SiC nanocrystallines. The content of free carbon is the decisive factor for the type of EM loss mechanism: the proportion of conduction loss increases linearly with the increase in free carbon content. Conduction loss is necessary for good EM absorption property, and polarization loss favors broadband absorption. For SiC fibers dominated by polarization loss, excellent absorption properties can be obtained in composites with higher fiber volume fraction (>20 vol%), which is crucial for structural absorbing materials.     

Microstructures and thermal conductivities of reaction sintered SiC ceramics

Abstract

Reaction sintered SiC ceramics were prepared by the silicon melt infiltration method over temperatures of 1450?1550°C. The effects of the carbon and silicon contents of the starting materials as well as the sintering temperature and time on the thermal conductivities and microstructures of the ceramic materials were studied. The thermal conductivities and microstructures of the samples were characterised using thermal conductivity measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and mercury injection porosimetry. The results showed that sintering temperature and time as well as the carbon and silicon contents of the green specimens are the main factors affecting the microstructure and porosity of reaction bonded SiC ceramics. Increasing the reaction temperature and time decreased the porosity of the ceramics. This was due to the infiltration of the silicon melt into the ceramic specimens. The thermal conductivity and porosity of the sample sintered at 1550°C for 3 h in an argon atmosphere were 102·5 W m K^?1 and 0·3% respectively.     

Torsion and flexural-torsional coupled mechanical properties of different C/SiC torque tubes at room and elevated temperatures

In this paper, the torsion and flexural-torsional coupled mechanical properties of different C/SiC torque tubes were investigated for the testing condition at room and elevated temperatures. Effects of fiber types, fiber preforms, and small hole during fabrication process on torsion mechanical properties were investigated. Flexural-torsional coupled mechanical tests for C/SiC torque tubes with different external diameter and wall thickness were conducted at room and elevated temperatures. The torsion and flexural moments and corresponding shear and flexural strength were obtained. The fracture surface and cracks propagation path were observed and analyzed. The torque and shear strength in T300™-3k torque tube were much higher than those of T300™-1k torque tube. Among 3D needled (3DN), 2D plain-woven [0°/90°] and [±45°] C/SiC torque tubes, the density, torque, and shear strength of 3DN-C/SiC torque tube were the highest. For the C/SiC torque tubes with small hole, the small hole not only increased the densification and uniformity (axial and radial) of the torque tube, but also has the potential to make the damage cracks more zigzag, which improved the fracture toughness of the torque tubes.     

Mechanical properties degradation and microstructure evolution of 2D-SiCf / SiC composites in combustion gas environment

Based on the turbine high-temperature combustion gas simulation test platform, the long-term combustion gas environment exposure test of the 2D plain woven SiC_f/BN/SiC composites under two combustion conditions was carried out. Uniaxial tensile test, fracture morphology characterization and non-destructive testing analysis revealed the degradation and microstructure evolution of composites after exposure to combustion gas environment. The results show that the degradation of 2D-SiC_f/SiC composites after exposure to combustion gas environment is manifested as a decrease in static toughness, and the interphase transition is the mesoscopic cause of the decrease in static toughness of the composite.     

Microstructure and properties of dense Tyranno-ZMI SiC/SiC containing Ti3Si(Al)C2 with plastic deformation toughening mechanism

In this paper, Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ was introduced into dense SiC/SiC to improve the mechanical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties. In order to reveal the effect of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂, dense SiC/SiC-Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ and dense SiC/SiC without Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ were fabricated. Owing to the plastic deformation toughening mechanism of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂, SiC/SiC-Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ performs a new damage mode characterized by matrix/matrix (m/m) debonding. High interfacial shear strength (IFSS) due to large thermal residual stress (TRS) is weakened by m/m debonding. This new mode also brings high effective volume fraction of loading fibers and long path of crack propagation. Hence SiC/SiC-Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ exhibits higher flexural strength (503 MPa) and fracture toughness (23.7 MPa · m^1/2) than the dense SiC/SiC without Ti₃Si(Al)C₂. In addition, dense SiC/SiC-Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ shows excellent electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE, 43.0 dB) in X-band, revealing great potential as thermo-structural and functional material.