Properties of C/C-SiC composites produced via transfer moulding and inner siliconization

Abstract

Short carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) are successfully prepared by transfer moulding technology. For this purpose, compounds on the basis of novolac/urotropin with different 6 mm chopped carbon fibers and silicon powder contents are produced utilizing a laboratory tempered sigma-blade kneader. These compounds are then shaped into 46 × 8 × 3 mm3 CFRP specimens using a transfer moulding machine. Depending on the material composition, the conversion to C/C-SiC composites is performed through liquid silicon infiltration (LSI) process or inner siliconization. First, the short fiber content is varied between 30 and 50 wt% and its influence on the process and properties of the composites is studied. Second, an investigation of the inner siliconization through the co-mixing of silicon powder (1-23 wt% in CFRPs) during the compound production as well as a comparison with the external silicon infiltration process are presented and discussed. According to the results, the best mechanical properties are achieved at a fiber content of 40 wt% in the case of the external silicon infiltration and at silicon content below 14 wt% for composites produced by the inner siliconization process.