NICALON-FIBER-REINFORCED SILICON-CARBIDE COMPOSITES VIA POLYMER-SOLUTION INFILTRATION AND CHEMICAL-VAPOR INFILTRATION

Abstract

A new, faster process was developed for the fabrication of Nicalon-fibre-reinforced SiC composites by combining polymer solution infiltration (PSI) and chemical vapour infiltration (CVI). The process led to the near-net-shape fabrication of fibre-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites and reduced infiltration time. Typical flexural strength and fracture toughness of these composites were 296 MPa and 10.9 MPa m1/2 at room temperature (RT) and 252 M Pa and 9.6 M Pa m1/2 at 1000-degrees-C, respectively. The composites exhibited load-carrying capability after crack initiation.