Optimizing Microstructure and Properties of SiCf/SiC Composites Prepared by Reactive Melt Infiltration

doi:10.15541/jim20210091

Abstract

Abstract:

Reactive melt infiltration (RMI) is one of the most effective methods to prepare highly dense ceramic matrix composites. The melt infiltration and the formation of composites are mainly determined by the pore structure of preforms. Here, SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC_f/SiC) were prepared by infiltrating Si melt into carbon-contained preforms with various pore structures. Effects of pore structure on the melt infiltration and received SiC_f/SiC composites were investigated. The results indicated that the preforms with more homogeneous pore size could lead to more sufficient melt infiltration, and also resulted in fewer residual pores and better mechanical properties in the composites. This study is expected to provide important guidance for the pore structure regulation in the fabrication of RMI-composites.

Key words: SiC_f/SiC composites, reactive melt infiltration (RMI), pore structure, microstructure, infiltration kinetics

CLC Number:

TQ174

ZHANG Junmin, CHEN Xiaowu, LIAO Chunjin, GUO Feiyu, YANG Jinshan, ZHANG Xiangyu, DONG Shaoming. Optimizing Microstructure and Properties of SiC_f/SiC Composites Prepared by Reactive Melt Infiltration[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2021, 36(10): 1103-1110.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig. 1 Flowchart of SiCf/SiC composites fabrication process

Preform	Preparing process	Further impregnation	Composites
Pre-1	Slurry impregnation	None	Com-1
Pre-2	Slurry impregnation	Pure PF	Com-2
Pre-3	Slurry impregnation	Polymer blend	Com-3

Fig. 2 SEM images of pyrolytic carbon prepared with different organic pore former contents ((a) Pure PF; (b) Organic pore former: PF=0.1; (c) Organic pore former: PF=0.2, (d) Organic pore former: PF=0.3); (e) Pore size distribution of pyrolytic carbon

Fig. 3 Cross-sectional SEM images of preforms ((a) Pre-1, (b) Pre-2, (c) Pre-3), and (d) pore size distribution of the preforms

Fig. 4 XRD patterns of SiCf/SiC composites prepared with different impregnation treatments

Fig. 5 Cross-sectional SEM images of SiCf/SiC (a) Com-1, (b) Com-2 and (c) Com-3

Fig. 6 Elemental analyses of inter/intra-bundle matrix in composites

Fig. 7 (a) Bending load-displacement curves of composites, and fractural surface SEM images of composite ((b) Com-1, (c) Com-2 and (d) Com-3)

Composites	Density/(g·cm^-3)	Open porosity/%	Flexural strength/MPa	Elastic modulus/GPa
Com-1	(2.41±0.08)	(10.08±0.50)	(96.04±9.50)	(42.53±0.73)
Com-2	(2.57±0.08)	(8.39±0.58)	(176.76±3.78)	(67.55±0.46)
Com-3	(2.61±0.05)	(7.92±0.61)	(200.50±7.33)	(79.19±0.65)

Fig. 8 (a) Schematic of reaction layer generated during the RMI, (b) curves of cumulative volume percentage vs pore diameter of preforms, and (c) variation of pore radius with infiltration time for preforms

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