Preparation of self-healing Cf/SiBCN(O) composite using a novel polyborosilazane

Abstract

In this study, novel polyborosilazane-derived SiBCN(O) ceramic was used as self-healing component in self-healing Cf/SiBCN(O) composite, which was prepared by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. Molecular-level structure design of boron-containing ceramic precursors was utilized to achieve uniform dispersion of boron-containing self-healing components in prepared composites. No elemental diffusion was observed at the interface of ceramic matrix and carbon fibers, which resulted in stable SiBCN(O) structure. In addition, boron was uniformly distributed in Cf/SiBCN(O) composite ceramic matrix, which was beneficial for self-healing of cracks. Cracks and indentations were able to heal at high temperatures in air. The best crack-healing behavior occurred in air atmosphere at 1000 °C, with nearly complete crack healing. This excellent self-healing behavior was achieved because silicon and boron atoms in SiBCN(O) ceramic reacted with available oxygen at high temperatures to form SiO2(l), B2O3(l), and B2O3·xSiO2 liquid phases, which effectively filled cracks. In general, as-prepared Cf/SiBCN(O) composite exhibited excellent self-healing properties and shows great application potential in high-temperature environment applications such as aviation, aerospace, and nuclear power.