Effect of thermal cycling of SiCf/SiC composites on their mechanical properties

SiCf/SiC composites are class of high temperature structural materials being developed for use in nuclear fusion and fission reactor systems because of their superior high temperature mechanical properties, low radiation damage and low induced radioactivity. Two types of 2D SiCf/SiC composites were made through isothermal and isobaric chemical vapor infiltration process using eight harness satin-woven ceramic-grades Nicalon (TM) fibers with boron nitride (BN) interface, namely: one with lower interface thickness and a second type with higher interface thickness. The BN interface was applied to the fiber prior to SiC matrix addition to modify the interfacial bond strength leading to better toughness and improved oxidation resistance. The density achieved was around 2.6 g/cc. The composite specimens were subjected to thermal cycling treatment using an in-house furnace. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, fracture toughness and interfacial bond strength were also studied for all the composites before and after thermal cycling. It is seen from the results that both composites withstood thermal shocks and thermal cycling treatment. It was also concluded from the present work that good balance between load transfer and crack arresting was established. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.