Effect of preform structure on mechanical and thermal properties of SiC_f/SiC composites

Abstract

In this paper, SiC_f/SiC composites with three kinds of preform structures, namely 2D multilayered, 3D angle-interlock and multiaxis 3D braided, were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration. The influences of preform structure on mechanical and thermal properties of SiC_f/SiC composites were discussed in detail, on the basis of comprehensive analyses of fiber arrangement, SiC matrix and pore distribution, and so on. The results show that the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity are comprehensively affected by the fiber arrangement and the density of composites, while the coefficient of thermal expansion is mainly influenced by the fiber arrangement. In addition, the thermal conductivity of 2D multilayered, 3D angle-interlock and multiaxis 3D braided composites could be explained by series model and parallel model, respectively. The continuous three-dimensional network structure of SiC matrix layer inside multiaxis 3D braided composites could be regarded as a fast channel for heat flow, resulting in a higher thermal conductivity. As the temperature increases, the scattering between phonons gradually increases and becomes the main factor affecting the thermal conductivity. In this case, the role of the SiC matrix layer as a fast channel for phonon propagation in multiaxis 3D braided composites gradually weakens.

Keywords

preform structure / flexural strength / thermal conductivity / coefficient of thermal expansion / SiC_f/SiC composites

References

[1] PadtureN P. Advanced structural ceramics in aerospace propulsion [J]. Nature Materials, 2016, 15(8): 804-809

[2] NaslainR. Design, preparation and properties of nonoxide CMCs for application in engines and nuclear reactors: An overview [J]. Composites Science and Technology, 2004, 64(2): 155-170

[3] ZhuS. Monotonic tension, fatigue and creep behavior of SiC-fiber-reinforced SiC-matrix composites: A review [J]. Composites Science and Technology, 1999, 59(6): 833-851

[4] ChenJ-Q, XieX-Z, PengQ-F, et al. . Effect of surface roughness on femtosecond laser ablation of 4H-SiC substrates [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2022, 29(10): 3294-3303

[5] NozawaT, HinokiT, HasegawaA, et al. . Recent advances and issues in development of silicon carbide composites for fusion applications [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2009, 386–388: 622-627

[6] KatohY, SneadL L, HenagerC H, et al. . Current status and recent research achievements in SiC/SiC composites [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2014, 455(1–3): 387-397

[7] KoyanagiT, OzawaK, HinokiT, et al. . Effects of neutron irradiation on mechanical properties of silicon carbide composites fabricated by nano-infiltration and transient eutectic-phase process [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2014, 448(1–3): 478-486

[8] IvekovićA, NovakS, DražićG, et al. . Current status and prospects of SiC_f/SiC for fusion structural applications [J]. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2013, 33(10): 1577-1589

[9] HasegawaA, KohyamaA, JonesR H, et al. . Critical issues and current status of SiC/SiC composites for fusion [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2000, 283–287: 128-137

[10] WangH-D, FengQ, WangZ, et al. . The corrosion behavior of CVI SiC matrix in SiC_f/SiC composites under molten fluoride salt environment [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2017, 487: 43-49

[11] KatohY, OzawaK, ShihC, et al. . Continuous SiC fiber, CVI SiC matrix composites for nuclear applications: Properties and irradiation effects [J]. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2014, 448(1–3): 448-476

[12] YuP-P, LinZ-J, YuJ. Mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of SiC_f/SiC composites reinforced with electrospun SiC fibers by PIP [J]. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2021, 41(14): 6859-6868

[13] LuoZ, ZhouX-G, YuJ-S, et al. . Mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites fabricated by PIP process with a new precursor polymer [J]. Ceramics International, 2014, 40(1): 1939-1944

[14] KatohY, DongS M, KohyamaA. Thermo-mechanical properties and microstructure of silicon carbide composites fabricated by nano-infiltrated transient eutectoid process [J]. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2002, 61–62: 723-731

[15] ShimodaK, ParkJ S, HinokiT, et al. . Influence of pyrolytic carbon interface thickness on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites by NITE process [J]. Composites Science and Technology, 2008, 68(1): 98-105

[16] MaC C M, TaiN H, ChangW C, et al. . Morphologies, microstructure and mechanical properties of 2D carbon/carbon composites during the CVI densification process [J]. Carbon, 1996, 34(10): 1175-1179

[17] BilisikK. Three-dimensional axial braided preforms: Experimental determination of effects of structure-process parameters on unit cell [J]. Textile Research Journal, 2011, 81(20): 2095-2116

[18] BilisikK. Multiaxis three-dimensional weaving for composites: A review [J]. Textile Research Journal, 2012, 82(7): 725-743

[19] BilisikK. Three-dimensional braiding for composites: A review [J]. Textile Research Journal, 2013, 83: 1414-1436

[20] LiM-Y, ZhouX-G, YangH-Y, et al. . Mechanical properties of the SiC_f/SiC composites reinforced with KD-I and KD-II fibers fabricated assisted by a microwave heating method [J]. Ceramics International, 2019, 45(10): 12957-12964

[21] ZhangX H, GaoH S, WenZ X, et al. . Effect of film cooling holes on the mechanical properties of 3D braided SiCf/SiC composites at 1350 °C in air [J]. Ceramics International, 2020, 46(6): 7982-7990

[22] HouZ-H, LuoR-Y, YangW, et al. . Effect of fiber directionality on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of 3D SiC_f/SiC composites [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2016, 658: 263-271

[23] GaoY-T, ZhouH-J, LiuM, et al. . Mechanical and thermal properties of chemical vapor infiltration engineered 2D-woven and 3D-braided carbon silicate composites [J]. Ceramics International, 2015, 41: 10949-10956

[24] BlagoevaD T, HegemanJ B J, JongM, et al. . Characterisation of 2D and 3D tyranno SA 3 CVI SiC_f/SiC composites [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2015, 638: 305-313

[25] ZhaoS, ZhouX-G, YuJ-S, et al. . Fabrication and characterization of 2.5D and 3D SiC_f/SiC composites [J]. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2013, 88(9–10): 2453-2456

[26] ChenY-H, ChenZ-K, ZhangR-Q, et al. . Structural evolution and mechanical properties of Cansas-III SiC fibers after thermal treatment up to 1700 °C [J]. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2021, 41(10): 5036-5045

[27] CuiG-Y, LuoR-Y, WangL-Y, et al. . Effect of SiC nanowires on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of 3D-SiC_f/SiC composites prepared via precursor infiltration pyrolysis [J]. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2021, 41(10): 5026-5035

[28] WuZ-X, WangH-R, ChenZ-K, et al. . Significant improvement of mechanical properties of SiC-nanowire-reinforced SiC_f/SiC composites via atomic deposition of Ni catalysts [J]. Materials, 2022, 15(8): 2900

[29] HuangS-L, FuQ-N, YanL-B, et al. . Characterization of interfacial properties between fibre and polymer matrix in composite materials-A critical review [J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2021, 13: 1441-1484

[30] BarronT H K, CollinsJ G, WhiteG K. Thermal expansion of solids at low temperatures [J]. Advances in Physics, 1974, 29609-730

[31] MacdonaldD K C, RoyS K. Vibrational anharmonicity and lattice thermal properties. II [J]. Physical Review, 1955, 97(3): 673-676

[32] TaoP-F, WangY-G. Improved thermal conductivity of silicon carbide fibers-reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites by chemical vapor infiltration method [J]. Ceramics International, 2019, 45(2): 2207-2212

[33] HasselmanD. Effective thermal conductivity of composites with interfacial thermal barrier resistance [J]. Journal of Composite Materials, 1987, 21(6): 508-515

[34] CollinsA K, PickeringM A, TaylorR L. Grain size dependence of the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline chemical vapor deposited β-SiC at low temperatures [J]. Journal of Applied Physics, 1990, 68(12): 6510-6512

[35] BermanR. The thermal conductivity of some polycrystalline solids at low temperatures [J]. Proceedings of the Physical Society Section A, 1952, 65(12): 1029-1040