Study of thermal degradation behavior of dense and nanostructured silicon carbide coated carbon fibers in oxidative environments

The oxidation resistive properties of bare, dense SiC and nanostructured SiC coated carbon fibers were examined in different oxidative environments from room temperature to 1350 °C. Chemical vapor deposition process was used for the preparation of dense and nanostructured silicon carbide (SiC) coating on carbon fiber using methyltrichlorosilane. SEM, TEM and XRD analysis inferred dense and nanostructured β SiC coatings. The dense and nanostructured SiC coated carbon fibers have shown much improved oxidation property in oxygen as well as in static air environment. Possible mechanism of oxidation behavior of dense and nanostructured SiC coated carbon fibers and role of SiO2 have been discussed.

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► Different morphology of SiC was coated on carbon fiber using CVD process.
► Self catalytic characteristic was observed for uncoated and SiC coated carbon fiber.
► Oxidation of SiC nanowire coated carbon proceeds through competitive oxidation.
► Oxidation of dense SiC coated fiber proceeds via preexisting and small microcracks.
► Matrix with SiC nanowires can suppress microcracks at low-temperature is proposed.