Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of PIP–SiC/SiC composites fabricated with a consolidation process

Abstract

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) have been considered as candidates for heat resistant and nuclear materials. Three-dimensional (3D) SiC/SiC composites were fabricated by the polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) method with a consolidation process, mechanical properties of the composites were found to be significantly improved by the consolidation process. The SiC/SiC composites were then heat treated at 1400°C, 1600°C and 1800°C in an inert atmosphere for 1h, respectively. The effect of heat treatment temperature on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated, the mechanical properties of the SiC/SiC composites were improved after heat treatment at 1400°C, and conversely decreased with increased heat treatment temperature. Furthermore, the effect of heat treatment duration on the properties of the SiC/SiC composites was studied, the composites exhibited excellent thermal stability after heat treatment at 1400°C within 3h.