Microstructure of 3d Textile C/pyc/sic Composites Prepared by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is one of the most promising candidates for high temperature structural material, in which SiC matrix exhibits an excellent oxidation resistance because of the formation of a protective layer of silica which limits further oxidation [1]. CMCs with continuous fibers exhibit attractive properties such as low densities, high elastic moduli, and high strengths at elevated temperatures. They are considered as materials with a high potential in various fields of applications including engines and reentry thermal protection for spacecrafts. Chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) processed SiC matrix composites reinforced with carbon or SiC fibers have been designed and developed to improve the damage tolerance of inherently brittle SiC monolithic ceramics while retaining their high stiffness, high-temperature strength, and oxidation resistance [1-3]. The 3D-C/SiC composites with pyrolytic carbon (PyC) interfacial layer exhibit good mechanical properties and a typical failure behavior involving fibers pull-out and brittle fracture of sub-bundle [2]. In this paper the microstructure of the 3D textile C/PyC/SiC composites prepared by chemical vapor infiltration had been investigated.