Mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites fabricated by PIP process with a new precursor polymer

Three dimensional four-directional (3D4d) silicon carbide (SiC) fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) were fabricated by the precursor impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process with a new precursor polymer, liquid polycarbosilane with active Si–H and 3CHåCH2 groups (LPVCS). The densification, mechanical properties and microstructure of the SiC/SiC composites were studied. The composite processed with LPVCS exhibited excellent physical and mechanical properties. The density and the porosity of the composites were 2.16 g/cm3 and 6.7%, respectively. The flexural strength of the composites was 619.4 MPa and fracture toughness was 29.1 MPa m1/2. The results indicated that LPVCS was a kind of potential precursor polymer for the preparation of SiC/SiC composites.