Papers by Author: Zhen Wang

Abstract: C_f/SiC composites were fabricated through in situ growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on three-dimensional needle-punched carbon fabric via chemical vapor deposition and polymer impregnation and pyrolysis process. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The flexural strength and fracture toughness were decreased due to the fiber volume fraction loss and much shorter pull-out length of fibers which was caused by the higher interfacial bonding strength between fiber and matrix after the growth of CNTs. Brittle fracture character of CNTs was observed due to the strong interfacial bonding strength between CNTs and matrix. The parallel thermal conductivity and perpendicular thermal conductivity were improved to 14.5% and 8.0% respectively.

Abstract: SiC-Si₃N₄ powders and modified SiC-based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) were fabricated using polycarbosilane (PCS), divinylbenzene (DVB) and Si₃N₄ filler. Si₃N₄ was introduced into CMCs fabricated through polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) to lower down the carbon content by in-situ carbothermal reaction, which derived from pyrolyzed PCS-DVB. The oxidation resistance and three point bending strength of modified C/SiC composites were effectively enhanced. The phase composition, microstructure of SiC-Si₃N₄ powders and modified C/SiC composites were investigated by XRD, SEM and TEM.

Abstract: ZrC-SiC powders were fabricated by means of liquid precursor conversion method, using Zr containing polymer precursor and polycarbosilane. The effects of staring reagents and the pyrolysis temperature on the fabrication of ZrC-SiC powders were studied. Results show that ZrC-SiC powders with different ZrC/SiC ratio could be formed when the staring reagents were different. Pyrolysis temperature affects the pyrolysed product. When temperature was lower, less amount of ZrC was formed in the powder. The size of crystallite and morphology of the synthesized powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract: Hot pressing is an effective way to densify powder compacts, especially during the inclusion of a second phase, such as particles, whiskers or fibers. In the present study, SiC/SiC and C/SiC composites were prepared by hot pressing via liquid phase sintering. Nano-SiC powder was used for matrix formation with sintering additives. The effects of preparation conditions such as sintering temperature, pressure and matrix composition, on the microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviors were discussed. Using micro-SiC powder and nano-SiC powder for matrix formation, the interaction between fiber and matrix was characterized. Because the matrix compositions can be easily modified in the CMC-processing from powders by hot pressing, the SiC-BN matrix was also studied in the present experiment. The inclusion of BN can either improve the machinability or provide oxidation resistance to the composite. BN was derived through an in-situ reaction between boron acid and urea by hot-pressing. Boric acid and urea were solved into the ethanol and mixed with nano-SiC particles, and then infiltrated into the fiber bundles. Correlations among microstructures, properties and compositions will be discussed.