Degradation mechanism of SiC/Super α 2 composite due to interfacial reaction

The degradation mechanism of SiC(SCS-6)/Super α ₂ composite due to the interfacial reaction was studied using single-fiber composite specimens fabricated by the sputtering method, heat treated at 1273 K for various times, and tensile tested at room temperature. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) The tensile strength was reduced with progress of interfacial reaction by the formed defects on the fiber surface, while the formation of the reaction layers in the matrix side was not the direct reason for the reduction. (2) From the fracture mechanical analysis of the experimentally observed relation of the size and shape of the surface defects to the fiber strength, the fracture toughness of the fiber employed in the present work was estimated to be 2 to 4 MPa ρm. (3) The change in distribution of strength of the reacted fiber with progressing reaction was simulated successfully by combining the Monte Carlo method with the Weibull distribution function for the strength of the unreacted fiber, the Gumbell distribution function for the maximum effective size of the surface defect of the reacted fiber, and the fracture mechanics.