Thermal shock properties of 2D-SiCf/SiC composites

This paper dealt with the thermal shock properties of SiCf/SiC composites reinforced with two dimensional SiC fabrics. SiCf/SiC composites were fabricated by a liquid phase sintering process, using a commercial nano-size SiC powder and oxide additive materials. An Al2O3–Y2O3–SiO2 powder mixture was used as a sintering additive for the consolidation of SiC matrix region. In this composite system, Tyranno SA SiC fabrics were also utilized as a reinforcing material. The thermal shock test for SiCf/SiC composites was carried out at the elevated temperature. Both mechanical strength and microstructure of SiCf/SiC composites were investigated by means of optical microscopy, SEM and three point bending test. SiCf/SiC composites represented a dense morphology with a porosity of about 8.2% and a flexural strength of about 160 MPs. The characterization of SiCf/SiC composites was greatly affected by the history of cyclic thermal shock. Especially, SiCf/SiC composites represented a reduction of flexural strength at the thermal shock temperature difference higher than 800 °C.