Mechanical properties and microstructure of 3D sinking woven quartz fiber-reinforced silica composites by silicasol-infiltration-sintering

Three-dimensional (3D) sinking woven quartz fiber-reinforced silica composites were successfully prepared by silicasol-infiltration-sintering process at a low temperature of 450°C. The density of the composites was 1.74?g/cm³. The characteristics of 3D sinking woven structure were determined. Flexural strength and shear strength of the composites were investigated along the warp and weft directions. Both flexural stress–displacement curves in warp and weft directions had two fractural points, e.g. matrix fracture point and fiber fracture point. The shear stress–displacement curves exhibited mostly nonlinear behavior. The composite in warp and weft direction reflects different shear behavior. Microstructural observations revealed that the adhesion strength between the fibers and the matrix was weak. There was a good state without serious degradation of quartz fibers during the preparation. Apart from these, the composites exhibited an extensive and long fiber pullout in the fracture surface. Crack deflection and fiber pullout contributed to the good toughness of the composites under the loading.