APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL VAPOR-DEPOSITED YTTRIA FOR THE PROTECTION OF SILICON-CARBIDE FIBERS IN A SIC/NI3AL COMPOSITE

A CVD process has been developed for coating Textron-Avco SCS-6 SiC fiber with yttria. Both Y(fod)3.H20 and Y(thd)3 (fod = l,l,l,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyl-4,6-octanedionato; thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) were examined as potential Y2O3 CVD precursors. Analysis of the deposits by Auger spectroscopy indicated significant F and C incorporation in the case of Y(fod)3. H2O whereas, under appropriate conditions, Y(thd)3 gave a deposit which was essentially free of C and other impurities. GCFTIR analysis of the volatile products of the CVD process indicated isobutylene, tetrafluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethylene, fluoroform, and fluoroethylene for Y(fod)3. H20 and mainly isobutylene and propylene for Y(thd)3. The precursor Y(thd)3 was chosen to deposit 1–2 μm of yttria on short lengths of silicon carbide fibers. The coated fibers were then incorporated into a nickel aluminide (Ni3Al) matrix by reactive sintering, with yttria affording protection from the known SiC + 2Ni --- Ni2Si + C degradation process. The SiC/Ni3Al composites, before and after annealing at 1000 °C for up to 100 h, were studied by using SEM and EMPA to determine the extent of reaction. With the exception of certain portions of the fibers that were inadequately coated with yttria, complete protection of the fibers was indicated. © 1990, Materials Research Society. All rights reserved.