High strength aligned SiC nanowire reinforced SiC porous ceramics fabricated by 3D printing and chemical vapor infiltration

Abstract

A unique method is adopted to fabricate high strength aligned SiC nanowire (SiCNWs) reinforced SiC porous ceramics. SiCNWs skeleton was printed through direct ink printing and SiC matrix was synthesized through chemical vapor infiltration. Unidirectional orientation of SiCNWs was realized due to shear flow through small nozzle. The skeleton structure and micron level pores in struts ensured effective SiC infiltration. Well-aligned SiCNWs were homogeneously distributed in SiC matrix without damage. The unidirectional oriented SiCNWs benefits load transfer from matrix to SiCNWs and load-bearing of SiCNWs. Therefore compressive strength reached 390 MPa with ~41.3% porosity while ~400 μm pore size.