Processing of Non-Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composites: An Overview

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) comprise a fiber reinforcement embedded in a ceramic matrix, the two main constituents being bonded through an interphase, which is a thin layer of a compliant material with a low shear stress, arresting and deflecting the matrix microcracks formed under load. Non-oxide CMCs, such as C/C ; C/SiC or SiC/SiC, are fabricated from a suitable precursor of the matrix, following a gaseous (CVI-process), a liquid (PIP and RMI processes) or a slurry (SI-HPS) routes. Each of these routes is briefly depicted focusing on fundamental aspects and its advantages and drawbacks discussed. Possible extensions of the processes to new composites are suggested. Finally, a comparison of these techniques, in terms of processability and composites properties is presented.