Fabrication and microstructure evolution of Csf/ZrB2-SiC composites via direct ink writing and reactive melt infiltration

Jun Lu,Chunjing Liao,Xuegang Zou,Bowen Chen,Yusheng Ding,Feiyan Cai,Youlin Jiang,Shaoming Dong,Dewei Ni,Haijun Zhou

doi:10.1007/s40145-021-0512-z

Abstract

Fiber damage and uniform interphase preparation are the main challenges in conventional short fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. In this work, we develop a novel processing route in fabrication of short carbon fiber reinforced ZrB2-SiC composites (Csf/ZrB2-SiC) overcoming the above two issues. At first, Csf preforms with oriented designation and uniform PyC/SiC interphase are fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) of short carbon fiber paste followed by chemical vapor infiltration. After that, ZrB2 and SiC are introduced into the preforms by slurry impregnation and reactive melt infiltration, respectively. Microstructure evolution and optimization of the composites during fabrication are investigated in detail. The as-fabricated Csf/ZrB2-SiC composites have a bulk density of 2.47 g/cm3, with uniform weak interphase and without serious fiber damage. Consequently, non-brittle fracture occurs in the Csf/ZrB2-SiC composites with widespread toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection and bridging, interphase debonding, and fiber pull-out. This work provides a new opportunity to the material design and selection of short fiber reinforced composites.

Highlights

IntroductionJ Adv Ceram 2021, 10(5): 0–0 applications [2]. With carbon fiber as reinforcements, it can effectively overcome the above issues of Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs)
Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are endowedJ Adv Ceram 2021, 10(5): 0–0 applications [2]
We develop a novel processing route in fabrication of short carbon fiber reinforced ZrB2–SiC composites (Csf/ZrB2–SiC) overcoming the above mentioned two issues

Summary

Introduction

J Adv Ceram 2021, 10(5): 0–0 applications [2]. With carbon fiber as reinforcements, it can effectively overcome the above issues of UHTCs. Short carbon fiber reinforced UHTC composites (Csf/UHTCs) show more superior designability, and are easier to get a high UHTCs content in the composites [9,10]. It is difficult to prepare uniform interphase on the surface of the fibers in the above-mentioned processing routes [17]. Direct ink writing (DIW) method, a kind of 3D-printing technology, is used to prepare composites with oriented short carbon fibers [12,26,27]. We develop a novel processing route in fabrication of short carbon fiber reinforced ZrB2–SiC composites (Csf/ZrB2–SiC) overcoming the above mentioned two issues. Csf preforms with oriented designation and uniform PyC/SiC interphase are fabricated via DIW of short carbon fiber inks followed by chemical vapor infiltration. Microstructure evolution and optimization of the composites during fabrication are investigated in detail

Experimental

Results and discussion

Conclusions