A novel oxide ceramic matrix composite with integrated high-temperature EMW absorption and mechanical performance

Abstract

Oxide ceramic matrix composites (OCMC) are extensively used as thermal structural materials due to good high-temperature resistance, mechanical properties, and oxidation resistance, but they are rarely regarded as electromagnetic wave absorbing materials due to the high resistivity of oxide ceramics/fibers. However, high-performance Al2O3 fiber can be used to design and fabricate OCMC with integrated high-temperature microwave absorbing and mechanical properties by introducing dielectric material into Si-based ceramic matrix. The N610/Si3N4-SiOC composites have the prior mechanical performance because the uniformly distributed Si3N4 matrix made the fiber bear effectively. After that, the Sc2O3 modified SiOC matrix was filled into inter- and intra-fascicular pores forming interfacial polarization, dipole polarization, multiple reflection and scattering to attenuate the incident electromagnetic wave (EMW). The effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) and the minimum reflection coefficient (RCmin) of N610/Si3N4-SiOC(Sc) composites at the thickness of 2.75 mm reach 3.0 GHz and −42 dB in the X band, respectively. In addition, the EMW absorption performance of the composite is relatively stable with EABmax and RCmin of 3.5 GHz and −41 dB in 4–18 GHz at high temperatures. This work provides a strategy for designing and fabricating OCMC with excellent mechanical properties and EMW absorption properties.