Fibre-matrix interphases and interfaces in ceramic matrix composites processed by CVI

Abstract

The fibre-matrix (FM) interfacial zone plays a key role in the mechanical behaviour of Si-C(O)/SiC inverse composites fabricated by chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) from ex-polycarbosilane Si-C(O) fibres precoated with pyrocarbon or boron nitride. It consists not only of the C (or BN) main interphase, but also of very thin secondary interphases (i.e. carbon and silica) resulting from the decomposition of the metastable Si-C(O) fibres thought to occur during the fabrication of the fibres and/or the composites. The FM interfacial zone may play two complementary roles: (i) it provides low-energy microcrack propagation paths parallel to the fibre axis, and (ii) it may act as a compliant buffer for the relaxation of the residual thermal compression stresses on the interface. The FM bond strength is low or moderate when a quasi-continuous thin layer of anisotropic carbon is present between the fibre and the main interphase and when the fibre surface remains smooth. The mechanical behaviour in tension is non-b...