Fabrication of C_f/SiC Composites by Hot-Pressing

Continuous carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (Cf/SiC) composite was fabricated by hot-pressing, via liquid phase sintering. Sintering conditions strongly affect the densification process, and therefore dominate the mechanical properties and fracture behavior. The composites under the lower sintering temperature behaves less densified matrix and it demonstrates a relatively weak fiber/matrix bonding allowing the longer fibers pull-out. Increasing sintering temperature could accelerate the densified matrix and make fiber/matrix bonding stronger. In this case, the shorter fibers pull-out was predominant fracture behavior and it could improve mechanical properties.