Mechanical behavior of SiCf/SiC composites with alternating PyC/SiC multilayer interphases

In order to tailor the fiber–matrix interface of continuous silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide (SiC_f/SiC) composites for improved fracture toughness, alternating pyrolytic carbon/silicon carbide (PyC/SiC) multilayer coatings were applied to the KD-I SiC fibers using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Three dimensional (3D) KD-I SiC_f/SiC composites reinforced by these coated fibers were fabricated using a precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. The interfacial characteristics were determined by the fiber push-out test and microstructural examination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of interface coatings on composite mechanical properties was evaluated by single-edge notched beam (SENB) test and three-point bending test. The results indicate that the PyC/SiC multilayer coatings led to an optimum interfacial bonding between fibers and matrix and greatly improved the fracture toughness of the composites.     

Fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced carbon fiber/silicon carbide composites by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis process

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-reinforced carbon fiber/silicon carbide (C_f/SiC) composites were prepared using a polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. The MWNTs used in this study were modified using a chemical treatment. The MWNTs were found to be well dispersed in the matrix after ultrasonic dispersion, and the mechanical properties of the C_f/SiC composite were significantly improved by the addition of MWNTs. The addition of 1.5 wt.% of MWNTs to the C_f/SiC composite led to a 29.7% increase in the flexural strength, and a 27.9% increase in the fracture toughness.     

不同界面SiC/SiC复合材料的断裂行为研究

碳化硅纤维增强碳化硅复合材料(SiC/SiC)是极具前景的高温结构材料。通过先驱体浸渍裂解(PIP)工艺分别制备了PyC界面和CNTs界面SiC/SiC复合材料, 对两种SiC/SiC复合材料的整体力学性能以及界面剪切强度等进行了测试表征, 并对材料中裂纹的产生与扩展进行了原位观测。结果表明, 两种界面SiC/SiC复合材料弯曲强度相近, 但PyC界面SiC/SiC复合材料的断裂韧性约为CNTs界面SiC/SiC复合材料的两倍。在PyC界面SiC/SiC复合材料中, 裂纹沿纤维-基体界面扩展, PyC涂层能够偏转或阻止裂纹, 材料呈现伪塑性断裂特征; 而在CNTs界面SiC/SiC复合材料中, 裂纹在扩展路径上遇到界面并不偏转, 初始裂纹最终发展为主裂纹, 材料呈现脆性断裂模式。     

Effect of multilayer coating on mechanical properties of Nicalon-fibre-reinforced silicon carbide composites

Nicalon-fibre-reinforced SiC composites were fabricated by combining polymer solution infiltration (PSI) and chemical vapour infiltration (CVI). Effect of multilayer coating on mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. The coatings consisted of chemically vapour deposited (CVD) C and SiC and were designed to enhance fibre pull-out in the composites. It was found that the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites were increased with the number of coating layers and was a maximum for 7 coating layers which consisted of C/SiC/C/SiC/C/SiC/C. Typical flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites were 300 MPa and 14.5 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

Fabrication of SiCf/SiC composites by chemical vapor infiltration and vapor silicon infiltration

Three-dimensional (3D) silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC_f/SiC) composites, employing KD-1 SiC fibers (from National University of Defense Technology, China) as reinforcements, were fabricated by a combining chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and vapor silicon infiltration (VSI) process. The microstructure and properties of the as prepared SiC_f/SiC composites were studied. The results show that the density and open porosity of the as prepared SiC_f/SiC composites are 2.1 g/cm³ and 7.7%, respectively. The SiC fibers are not severely damaged during the VSI process. And the SiC fibers adhere to the matrix with a weak interface, therefore the SiC_f/SiC composites exhibit non-catastrophic failure behavior with the flexural strength of 270 MPa, fracture toughness of 11.4 MPa·m^1/2 and shear strength of 25.7 MPa at ambient conditions. Moreover, the flexural strength decreases sharply at the temperature higher than 1200 °C. In addition, the thermal conductivity is 10.6 W/mk at room temperature.     

PyC/SiC界面相对PIP法制备3D HTA C/SiC复合材料性能的影响

利用三维编织炭纤维预制件通过先驱体浸渍裂解法制备C／SiC复合材料。研究了热解碳（PyC）／SiC界面相对复合材料的微观结构和力学性能的影响。弯曲性能通过三点弯曲法测试，复合材料的断口和抛光面通过扫描电镜观察。结果表明：通过等温化学气相沉积法在纤维表面沉积PyC／SiC界面相以后，复合材料的三点抗弯强度从46MPa提高到247MPa。沉积界面的复合材料断口有明显的纤维拔出现象，纤维与基体之间的结合强度适当，起到了增韧作用；而未沉积界面相复合材料的断口光滑、平整，几乎没有纤维拔出，纤维在热解过程中受到严重的化学损伤，性能下降严重，材料表现为典型的脆性断裂。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced multilayered (PyC–SiC)n matrix composites

Carbon fiber reinforced multilayered (PyC–SiC)_n matrix (C/(PyC–SiC)_n) composites were prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration. The phase compositions, microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the multilayered matrix consists of alternate layers of PyC and β-SiC deposited on carbon fibers. The flexural strength and toughness of C/(PyC–SiC)_n composites with a density of 1.43 g/cm³ are 204.4 MPa and 3028 kJ/m³ respectively, which are 63.4% and 133.3% higher than those of carbon/carbon composites with a density of 1.75 g/cm³. The enhanced mechanical properties of C/(PyC–SiC)_n composites are attributed to the presence of multilayered (PyC–SiC)_n matrix. Cracks deflect and propagate at both fiber/matrix and PyC–SiC interfaces resulting in a step-like fracture mode, which is conducive to fracture energy dissipation. These results demonstrate that the C/(PyC–SiC)_n composite is a promising structural material with low density and high flexural strength and toughness.     

Al粉作为活性填料对PIP法SiCf/SiC复合材料性能的影响

利用2.5D SiC纤维预制件,通过前驱体浸渍裂解法（PIP法）制备SiCf/SiC复合材料,通过在第一次浸渍浆料中加入活性Al粉和惰性颗粒SiC粉来提高浸渍效率.研究了活性填料的加入以及纤维表面热解碳层的厚度对材料性能的影响.结果表明,由于Al粉在热解过程中与含碳有机小分子发生化学反应生成新的物相,使得复合材料的力学性能得到了很大的提高,在1200℃经过六个周期的浸渍裂解后,复合材料的三点弯曲强度达到441MPa,比例极限应力达到380MPa.在200～500nm厚度范围内,热解碳的厚度对复合材料的抗弯强度影响不明显.复合材料的弹性模量随着热解碳层厚度的增加而降低.     

Improvement of SiCf/SiC density by slurry infiltration and tape stacking

SiC fiber-reinforced SiC–matrix ceramic composites (SiC_f/SiC) were fabricated by vacuum infiltration of a SiC slurry into Tyranno™-SA grade-3 fabrics coated with a 200 nm-thick pyrolytic carbon (PyC) layer followed by hot pressing using a transient eutectic-phase. The density of the composite was improved using a special infiltration apparatus with a pressure gradient and alternating tape insertion between fabrics. Their overall properties were compared with those of monolithic SiC and composite containing chopped fibers. Although the density of the composites decreased with increasing fiber fraction, SiC_f/SiC containing 50 vol.% fibers had a density of 3.13 g/cm³, which is the highest reported thus far. The composites containing continuous fibers had a maximum flexural strength of 607 MPa and a step increase in the stress–displacement behavior during the three-point bending test due to fiber reinforcement, which was not observed in the monolith.     

Preparation and properties of unidirectional boron nitride fibre reinforced boron nitride matrix composites via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis route

The unidirectional boron nitride fibre reinforced boron nitride matrix (BN_f/BN) composites were prepared via the precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) route, and the structure, composition, mechanical and dielectric properties were studied. The composites have a high content and fine crystallinity of BN. The density is 1.60 g cm⁻³ with a low open porosity of 4.66%. The composites display good mechanical properties with the average flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness being 53.8 MPa, 20.8 GPa and 6.88 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Lots of long fibres pull-out from the fracture surface, suggesting a good fibre/matrix interface. As temperature increases, both of the flexural strength and elastic modulus exhibit a decreasing trend, with the lowest values being 36.2 MPa and 8.6 GPa at 1000 °C, respectively. The desirable residual ratios of the flexural strength and elastic modulus at 1000 °C are 67.3% and 41.3%, respectively. The composites have excellent dielectric properties, with the average dielectric constant and loss tangent being 3.07 and 0.0044 at 2-18 GHz, respectively.     

High mechanical performance SiC/SiC composites by NITE process with tailoring of appropriate fabrication temperature to fiber volume fraction

Unidirectional SiC/SiC composites are prepared by nano-powder infiltration and transient eutectic-phase (NITE) process, using pyrolytic carbon (PyC)-coated Tyranno-SA SiC fibers as reinforcement and SiC nano-powder with sintering additives for matrix formation. The effects of two kinds of fiber volume fraction incorporating fabrication temperature were characterized on densification, microstructure and mechanical properties. Densification of the composites with low fiber volume fraction (appropriately 30 vol%) was developed even at lower fabrication temperature of 1800 °C, and then saturated at 3rd stage of matrix densification corresponding to classic liquid phase sintering. Hence, densification of the composites with high volume fraction (above 50 vol%) became restricted because the many fibers retarded the infiltration of SiC nano-powder at lower fabrication temperature of 1800 °C. When fabrication temperature increased by 1900 °C, densification of the composites was effectively enhanced in the intra-fiber-bundles and simultaneously the interaction between PyC interface and matrix was strengthened. SEM observation on the fracture surface revealed that fiber pull-out length was accordingly changed with fabrication temperature as well as fiber volume fraction, which dominated tensile fracture behaviors. Through NITE process, SiC/SiC composites with two fracture types were successfully developed by tailoring of appropriate fabrication temperature to fiber volume fraction as follows: (1) high ductility type and (2) high strength type.     

CVI-iC/TaC改性C/C复合材料的力学性能及其断裂行为

以针刺碳纤维整体毡为预制体,采用化学气相渗透工艺对预制体纤维进行PyC/SiC/TaC的多层复合模式的涂层改性, 然后采用化学气相渗透和热固性树脂浸渍-化进行增密,制备出新型C/C复合材料。对复合材料的微观结构和力学性能进行了研究。结果表明:包覆在碳纤维表面的PyC/SiC/TaC多层结构均匀致密、无裂纹,在C/C复合材料中形成空间管状网络结构;改性后C/C复合材料的抗弯强度和韧性均大大提高, 平均抗弯强度达到522 MPa,断裂位移达到1.19mm;复合材料弯曲断裂形式表现为脆性断裂,经过2000℃高温热处理以后,复合材料的抗弯强度下降,但最大断裂位移增大,弯曲断裂形式由脆性断裂转变为良好的假塑性断裂。      

温度脉冲方法制备碳/碳化硅复合材料界面的微观结构与性能研究

采用温度脉冲化学气相渗透沉积的方法制备了碳/碳化硅复合材料界面. 以六甲基二硅胺烷(Hexamethyldisilazane , HMDS) 为前驱体, 以3k, 三维四向的石墨化碳纤维编织体为预制体, 通过强制流动热力学梯度化学气相渗透沉积的方法(FCVI)制备出密度为1.98g·cm^-3的C _f/SiC复合材料. 运用透射电子显微镜(TEM)对复合材料的界面微观结构进行了分析. 复合材料的平均弯曲强度为458MPa, 平均断裂韧性为19.8MPa·m^1/2. 应用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对复合材料的断裂形貌进行了分析研究.     

Design,Fabrication, Characterization and Simulation of PIP-SiC/SiC Composites

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) have been studied and developed for high temperature and fusion applications. Polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) is a conventional technique for fabricating SiC/SiC composites. In this research, KD-1 SiC fibers were employed as reinforcements, a series of coatings such as pyrocarbon (PyC), SiC and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized as interphases, PCS and LPVCS were used as precursors and SiC/SiC composites were prepared via the PIP method. The mechanical properties of the SiC/SiC composites were characterized. Relationship between the interphase shear strength and the fracture toughness of the composites was established. X-ray tomographic scans of the SiC/SiC composites were performed and the closed porosities of the composites were calculated. The compatibility of the SiC/SiC composites with liquid LiPb at 800 °C and 1000 °C was investigated. High-resolution synchrotron X-ray tomography was applied to the SiC/SiC composite and digital volume correlation was employed for Hertzian indentation testing of the SiC/SiC composite. A Cellular Automata integrated with Finite Elements (CAFE) method was developed to account for the effect of microstructure on the fracture behavior of the SiC/SiC composite.     

Effects of coating treatment on mechanical properties of carbon fibres and reinforced silicon carbide composites

Abstract

Three-dimensionally braided carbon fibre reinforced SiC matrix composites have been fabricated and the effects of coating treatment on the mechanical properties have been investigated. It has been found that pyrocarbon coating can improve the strength of the heat treated carbon fibres. When the coating thickness was 0.5 m, the composites had better mechanical properties: a flexural strength of 643 MPa and a fracture toughness of 17.9 MPa m12. The composites also exhibited a toughening fracture mode.     

热模压辅助先驱体浸渍裂解制备Cf/SiC复合材料研究

以聚碳硅烷为先驱体,采用热模压辅助先驱体浸渍裂解工艺制备3D-B C_f/SiC复合材料,研究了热模压辅助对3D-B C_f/SiC复合材料致密度和力学性能的影响。结果表明:先驱体浸渍裂解制备陶瓷基复合材料第一次浸渍后引入高温热模压工艺可以改善材料微观结构,显著提高材料的致密度和力学性能。其中1600℃,10MPa,1h下热模压辅助先驱体浸渍裂解6次制备的3D-B C_f/SiC复合材料的密度为1.79g/cm3,弯曲强度高达672MPa,断裂韧性达18.9MPa·m1/2,剪切强度接近50MPa,且具有较好的抗热震性和高温抗氧化性。     

Interfacial control of uni-directional SiCf/SiC composites based on electrophoretic deposition and their mechanical properties

Interfacial control of uni-directional SiC_f/SiC composites were performed by EPD, and their mechanical properties at room temperature were evaluated. The effect of the thickness of carbon interphase on SiC fibers by EPD on mechanical properties of uni-directional SiC_f/SiC composites was also investigated. The average thickness of carbon coating on SiC fibers increased from 42 nm to 164 nm with an increase in the concentration of colloidal graphite suspension for EPD. Dense SiC_f/SiC composites were achieved and their fiber volume fraction was 47–51%. The SiC_f/SiC composites had a bending strength of 210–240 MPa. As the thickness of carbon coating was below 100 nm, the SiC_f/SiC composites (SC01 and SC02) fractured in almost brittle manner. In contrast, the SiC_f/SiC composites (SC03) showed a pseudo-ductile fracture behavior with a large number of fiber pullout as the thickness of carbon coating was above 100 nm. The fracture energy of SC03 was 3–4 times as high as those of SC01 and SC02 and the value was about 1.7 kJ/m². In consideration of the results of mechanical properties, the thickness of carbon coating on SiC fibers should be at least 100 nm to obtain high-performance SiC_f/SiC composites. The fabrication process based on EPD method is expected to be an effective way to control the interfaces of SiC_f/SiC composites and to obtain high-performance SiC_f/SiC composites.     

Mechanical behaviour of chemical vapour infiltration-processed two- and three-dimensional nicalon/SiC composites

The effect of two different fibre architectures on the mechanical properties of the Nicalon fibre-reinforced SiC composites processed by chemical vapour infiltration has been investigated. The microstructure, flexural strength, fracture toughness and failure mechanisms of both two-dimensional woven laminate and three-dimensional braided composites were characterized. It was found that the fibre placement in the preform will not only affect the infiltration of the SiC matrix, but also the mechanical property and failure behaviour of the composite. A strong, tough and damage-tolerant SiC matrix composite can be fabricated through the combination of a three-dimensional braided integrated fibre network and chemical vapour infiltration processing.     

液硅渗透法制备Ti3SiC2改性C/CSiC复合材料

采用浆料浸渗结合液硅渗透法原位生成高韧性Ti₃SiC₂基体, 制备Ti₃SiC₂改性C/C-SiC复合材料。研究了TiC颗粒的引入对熔融Si浸渗效果的影响, 分析了Ti₃SiC₂改性C/C-SiC复合材料的微结构和力学性能。实验结果表明: TiC与熔融Si反应生成Ti₃SiC₂是可行的, 而且C的存在更有利于生成Ti₃SiC₂; 在含TiC颗粒的C/C预制体孔隙(平均孔径22.3 μm)内, 熔融Si的渗透深度1 min内可达10.8 cm; Ti₃SiC₂取代残余Si后提高了 C/C-SiC复合材料的力学性能, C/C-SiC-Ti₃SiC₂复合材料的弯曲强度达203 MPa, 断裂韧性达到8.8 MPa·m1/2; 对于厚度为20 mm的试样, 不同渗透深度处材料均具有相近的相成分、 密度和力学性能, 无明显微结构梯度存在, 表明所采用的浆料浸渗结合液硅渗透工艺适用于制备厚壁Ti₃SiC₂改性C/C-SiC复合材料构件。      

化学气相浸渗2D Cf/(SiC-C)复合材料的微观结构与强韧性

采用等温等压化学气相浸渗法(ICVI)制备了二维碳纤维增韧碳化硅碳二元基复合材料(2D C_f/(SiC-C)).利用扫描电镜(SEM)和背散射电子成像(BSE)研究了其基体的微观结构, 并与二维碳纤维增韧碳化硅陶瓷基复合材料(2D C_f/SiC)比较了室温力学性能和断口形貌.结果表明：2D C_f/(SiC-C)复合材料的基体是由SiC与热解碳(PyC)组成的多层结构, PyC基体层分布均匀而连续, 且与SiC基体层结合紧密.纤维束内部PyC基体层较厚的2D C_f/(SiC-C)复合材料具有较高的强韧性, 其拉伸强度、断裂应变、断裂韧性和断裂功分别比2D C_f/SiC复合材料的提高了3%、142%、22%和58%.SiC与PyC组成的多层基体使2D C_f/(SiC-C)复合材料的纤维在拔出过程中发生了两次集中拔出, 且第一次集中拔出的纤维对复合材料的强韧性起主要作用.