SiC/SiC minicomposites with nanoscale multilayered fibre coatings

Pyrocarbon/silicon carbide (PyC/SiC)n nanoscale multilayers have been deposited on Hi-Nicalon SiC fibres by means of pressure-pulsed CVI (P-CVI). SiC/SiC minicomposites reinforced with these coated tows were then manufactured by P-CVI. The mechanical behaviour under tension at room temperature and the lifetime under static fatigue at high temperature in air have been investigated. The minicomposites exhibited improved mechanical properties and oxidation resistance by comparison with their counterparts with a single layer of pyrocarbon coating the fibres.