Processing and Properties of SiC/SiC Composites

Abstract

The SiC composites are suitable for aerospace and nuclear applications as they possess good thermo-mechanical properties. The structural and functional properties are changing with processing parameters, type of interface and its thickness, and the improvement in properties is attributed to tailored interface. In this paper, the processing techniques (chemical vapor infiltration, reactive infiltration, polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, reaction bonding) and properties (fracture toughness, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, tribological) for various SiC composites (SiCf/SiC, Cf/SiC, Si/SiC) have been discussed. The chemical vapor infiltration-derived SiC composites give the very good structural and functional properties since this process gives the dense and high purity composites. The reactive infiltration has the less expensive processing but the presence of open pores weakens the mechanical properties. This review paper summarizes the various processing techniques of SiC/SiC composites and their properties.