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Effect of C/SiC interphase on interfacial and mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced mullite matrix composites

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology volume 98, pages 335–341 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced mullite (SiCf/Mu) matrix composite was fabricated via sol–gel process. The capability of fiber coatings to weaken the interfacial interaction, thus to enhance the fracture toughness of the SiCf/Mu composite was explored. The results show that the SiC interphase fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was columnar-grain structured. A thin carbon layer was also produced during the CVD process, forming C/SiC interphase. The interfacial shear strength of the SiCf/Mu composite was significantly reduced from ≈537 to ≈115 MPa after the introduction of C/SiC interphase, as quantified by in situ fiber push-in tests. Accordingly, the macro fracture toughness of the composite was remarkably enhanced from ≈0.9 to ≈10.5 MPa m1/2. The work highlights the efficiency of using C/SiC interphase to weaken the interfacial bonding, thus greatly toughen the SiCf/Mu composite.

Highlights

  • The interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix in the SiCf/mullite composite is very strong.

  • The introduction of the C/SiC interphase could reduce the interfacial shear strength.

  • The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the SiCf/SiC/mullite composite are higher than those of SiCf/mullite composite.

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Acknowledgements

HL greatly appreciates the financial support from Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Hunan Province (Grant Number: 2020JJ2032) and 1912 Project.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Guihang Deng, Xun Sun

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites Laboratory, College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, 410073, Changsha, China

    Guihang Deng, Xun Sun, Zhenghao Tian, Ru Jiang & Haitao Liu

  2. School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, 411021, Xiangtan, China

    Ru Jiang & Yunxin Liu

  3. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, 410114, Changsha, China

    Weiguo Mao

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  1. Guihang Deng
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  2. Xun Sun
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  4. Ru Jiang
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  5. Haitao Liu
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Correspondence to Ru Jiang or Haitao Liu.

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Deng, G., Sun, X., Tian, Z. et al. Effect of C/SiC interphase on interfacial and mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced mullite matrix composites. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 98, 335–341 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05516-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05516-y

Keywords

  • SiCf/Mu composites
  • Interface
  • Fracture toughness
  • Mechanical properties