Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of KD-1 SiC<sub>f</sub>/SiC Composites Fabricated by Vapor Silicon Infiltration

Abstract

Continuous silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiCf/SiC) composites were fabricated by a combining polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) and vapor silicon infiltration (VSI) process. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the SiCf/SiC composites were studied. The results show that the open porosity of the SiCf/SiC composites is near zero. The density and mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC increase with decreasing the porosity of SiCf/C. However, the SiC fibers are damaged during the VSI process due to the reaction between SiC fibers and vapor Si.