Journal of Inorganic Materials

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Matrix Boron Modification Methods and Mechanical Properties of SiC/SiC Composite

CHEN Yi, QIU Haipeng, CHEN Mingwei, XU Hao, CUI Heng   

  1. AVIC Composite Technology Center, AVIC Manufacturing Technology Institute, Beijing 101300, China
  • Received:2024-11-01 Revised:2024-12-19
  • Contact: QIU Haipeng, professor. E-mail: hpqiu07@163.com
  • About author:CHEN Yi(1992-), male, PhD candidate. E-mail: chenyi28@iccas.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Aviation Science Foundation(2022Z055025001)

Abstract: SiC/SiC composites have emerged as essential thermal structure materials for the development of hypersonic vehicles and high thrust-to-weight ratio aero-engines. The design of boron-containing ceramic precursors, and their utilization as impregnation agents in the precursor infiltration and pyrolysis method (PIP) to introduce self-healing components into the matrix represent a key strategy for enhancing the antioxidant properties of SiC/SiC composites. In this study, borane pyridine or borane triethylamine were ultilzed as boron sources, subsequently mixed with a solid PCS xylene solution to prepare different boron-modified polycarbosilane solutions. These solutions were used as PIP impregnation agents to fabricate various boron-modified SiC/PyC/SiC composites. The physicochemical properties of boron-modified polycarbosilane-derived ceramics, as well as the physical and mechanical properties of SiC/PyC/SiC composites before and after matrix boron modification, were systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that the additon of appropriate amounts of borane pyridine and borane triethylamine as boron sources to solid PCS solutions effectively introducing boron as a heterogeneous element into the derived SiC ceramics. Compared to PCS, the boron-modified PCS solutions BP-1 and BP-2 exhibited increased ceramic yields. The derived ceramics exhibited a semi-crystalline β-SiC structure, with B element content of 1.7% and 2.2% (in mass), respectively. Compared to unmodified composites, the boron-modified SiC/SiC composites exhibited negligible changes in density, apparent porosity, and fracture toughness. However, the flexural modulus increased from 116 GPa to 132 GPa. Furthermore, the flexural strength of the modified composite using borane pyridine alone as the boron source was 658 MPa, comparable to the unmodified composite's strength of 643 MPa, but with a reduced dispersion coefficient. This demonstrates the feasibility of using borane pyridine as a boron source for preparation of boron-modified SiC/SiC composites, providing valuable insights for the development of high-performance SiC/SiC composite hot-end components.

Key words: SiC/SiC composite, borane, polycarbosilane, matrix boron modification, mechanical properties

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