Tubular Si-infiltrated SiCf/SiC composites for solar receiver application—Part 1: Fabrication by replica and electrophoretic deposition

Abstract

Tubular Si-infiltrated SiCf/SiC composites composed of an inner cellular ceramic and an outer dense ceramic matrix composite (CMC) skin were fabricated by the electrophoretic deposition of matrix phases followed by Si-infiltration for solar receiver applications in concentrated solar energy. Using a combined replica method with the 3D printing of polymeric inks, 3 types of the inner cellular ceramics were produced to examine the permeability and heat transfer properties depending on their structure. To form a gastight dense skin layer, SiC fibers were layered on the cylindrical cellular ceramics by filament winding. The resulting preforms were infiltrated by electrophoretic deposition with SiC and carbon black particles and then by molten Si at 1550°C. The fabrication process, resulting microstructure, and oxidation behavior of the composites at 1400 and 1600°C in air are explained in Part 1. The thermophysical properties will be explained in Part 2. Overall, this hybrid method is a suitable processing technology for fabricating SiCf/SiC-based solar receivers.