SiC/SiC composite fabricated with carbon nanotube interface layer and a novel precursor LPVCS

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) have been studied as promising candidate materials for nuclear applications. Three-dimensional SiC/SiC composite was fabricated via polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the interface layer and LPVCS as the polymer precursor. The microstructural evolution of the fiber/matrix interface was studied. The porosity, mechanical properties, thermal and electrical conductivities of the SiC/SiC composite were investigated. The results indicated that the high densification efficiency of the liquid precursor LPVCS resulted in a low porosity of the SiC/SiC composite. The SiC/SiC composite exhibited non-brittle fracture behavior, however, bending strength and fracture toughness of the composite were relatively low because of the absence of CNTs as the interface layer. The thermal and electrical conductivities of the SiC/SiC composite were low enough to meet the requirements desired for flow channel insert (FCI) applications.