Mechanical properties of advanced SiC/SiC composites after neutron irradiation

The effect of neutron irradiation on tensile properties in advanced 2D-SiC/SiC composites was evaluated. The composites used were composed of a SiC matrix obtained by the forced-flow chemical vapor infiltration (FCVI) process and either Tyranno™-SA Grade-3 or Hi-Nicalon™ Type-S fibers with single-layered PyC coating as the interphase. Neutron irradiation fluence and temperature were 3.1 × 1025 n/m2 (E > 0.1 MeV) and 1.2 × 1026 n/m2 at 740–750 °C. Tensile properties were evaluated by cyclic tensile test, and hysteresis loop analysis was applied in order to evaluate interfacial properties. Both composites exhibited excellent irradiation resistance in ultimate and proportional limit tensile stresses. From the hysteresis loop analysis, the level of interfacial sliding stress decreased significantly after irradiation to 1.5 × 1026 n/m2 at 750 °C.