Interfacial Studies of Chemical Vapor Infiltrated (CVI) Ceramic Matrix Composites
Abstract
The objective of this program is to investigate the fiber/matrix interfacial chemistry in Chemical Vapor Infiltrated Silicon Carbide matrix composites utilizing Nicalon SiC and Nextel 440 mullite fibers and how this interface influences composite properties such as strength, toughness, and environmental stability. The SiC matrix was deposited using three different reactants; methyldichlorosilane (MDS), methyltrichlorosilane (MTS), and dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDS). It was found that by varying the reactant gas flow rates, the ratio of carrier gas to reactant gas, the type of carrier gas (hydrogen or argon), the flushing gas used in the reactor prior to deposition (hydrogen or argon), or the type of silane reactant gas used, the composition of the deposited SiC could be varied from very silicon rich (75 at %) to carbon rich (60%) to almost pure carbon. Stoichiometric SiC was found to bond very strongly to both Nicalon and Nextel fibers, resulting in a weak and brittle composite. A thin carbon interfacial layer deposited either deliberately by the decomposition of methane or inadvertently by the introduction of argon into the reactor prior to silane flow, resulted in a weakly bonded fiber/matrix interface and strong and tough composites. However, composites with this type of interface were not oxidatively stable. Preliminary results point to the use of a carbon rich SiC interfacial zone to achieve a relatively weak, crack deflecting fiber/ matrix bond but also exhibiting oxidative stability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202225
Entities
People
- J. J. Brennan
Organizations
- United Technologies Corporation