Fatigue behavior of a Hi-Nicalon™/SiC-B4C composite at 1200 °C in air and in steam

► Hi-Nicalon™/SiC-B4C ceramic composite with a self-healing matrix exhibits good fatigue performance at 1200 °C in air. ► The loading frequency has minimal effect on the fatigue performance of Hi-Nicalon™/SiC-B4C at 1200 °C in air. ► At 1200 °C, the presence of steam has little influence on the fatigue performance of the composite at 1.0 Hz, but noticeably degrades fatigue lifetimes at 0.1 Hz. ► Fiber degradation during fatigue is not caused by oxidation, but is due to an intrinsic creep-controlled flaw growth mechanism. ► The fatigue performance of the Hi-N/SiC-B4C composite is controlled by the creep resistance of the Hi-Nicalon™ fibers.