Wet-oxidation Mechanism of SiC/SiC Composites Prepared by PIP and RMI routes

doi:10.15541/jim20260011

Abstract

Abstract: SiC/SiC composites, renowned for their high toughness, thermal stability and oxidation resistance, become ideal candidate materials for hot-section components in aeroengines. However, high-temperature steam environments pose significant challenges to their practical application. Investigating the microstructural evolution and performance degradation mechanisms of SiC/SiC is crucial for predicting the service life of aeroengine. Here, SiC/SiC composites were fabricated using two liquid-phase methods: precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) and reactive melt infiltration (RMI). The oxidation behavior of SiC/SiC under high-temperature wet-oxygen conditions was evaluated comprehensively by in-situ wet-oxygen Raman and conventional characterization. The results indicated that residual carbon in PIP-SiC/SiC matrix was oxidized and volatilized as gaseous products between 700 ℃ and 1100 ℃, generating structural defects such as micropores and channels in SiC matrix. Thus, the wet-oxygen corrosive gases rapidly diffused to the fiber and interphase regions, leading to the oxidation and erosion of BN interphase at 700 ℃. At 1000 ℃, continuous oxidation caused significant surface structural damage to SiC fibers. With the temperature rising to 1100 ℃, the load-transfer capability of BN interphase was degraded, which can weaken the flexural properties of PIP-SiC/SiC. In contrast, the residual silicon and SiC in RMI-SiC/SiC matrix were oxidized to form molten SiO₂, which can hinder wet-oxygen corrosion. The onset temperature of BN interphase oxidation was increased to 900 ℃, preserving the structural integrity of SiC fibers. At 1100 ℃, the filling effect of oxidation products including SiO₂ and B₂O₃ can improve SiC matrix strength and interfacial bonding, ensuring efficient load transfer from the matrix to fibers. Consequently, RMI-SiC/SiC exhibits more stable flexural performance in high temperature wet-oxygen environments. This study provides innovative characterization and performance optimization strategies for the structural design of ceramic matrix composites.

Key words: SiC/SiC, in-situ Raman, liquid phase routes, wet-oxidation, flexural properties

CLC Number:

TB332

GUO Feiyu, SHA Jianjun, CHEN Xiaowu, CHENG Guofeng, DONG Shaoming. Wet-oxidation Mechanism of SiC/SiC Composites Prepared by PIP and RMI routes[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, DOI: 10.15541/jim20260011.

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