The degradation behavior of C/SiC composites fabricated by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis process under simulated space atomic oxygen environment

Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composites fabricated by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) have been exposed in simulated space atomic oxygen (AO) environment for up to 15 h. The mechanical properties and chemical composition of PIP C/SiC composites have been studied. The results show that the mass loss of the composites increases at the beginning and then decreases as the exposure time lasts. The flexural properties of C/SiC composites have no obvious changes after up to 15 h exposure in AO. C/SiC composites have been oxidized slightly by AO. The amorphous carbon in the matrix has been oxidized to CO or CO2 gas and SiC has been oxidized to SiO gas and SiO2.