Fabrication of SiC matrix composites using a liquid polycarbosilane as the matrix source
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (United States)
- Starfire Systems, Inc., St. Watervliet, NY (United States)
A polymer precursor-based route to SiC-matrix composites is described. This route employs a proprietary hydridopolycarbosilane (HPCS) as a liquid phase source of SiC. The polycarbosilane is prepared from methyltrichlorosilane, a low-cost starting material, via a process which is amenable to large scale production. The resulting liquid polymer can be handled in air and has physical and chemical properties appropriate to SiC-matrix formation by liquid phase infiltration of fiber, whisker or particulate preforms followed by thermal crosslinking and pyrolysis. This process has been used to prepare Nicalon SiC-fiber and SiC-powder/whisker reinforced SiC/SiC composites which show improved uniformity, overall density and flexure/tensile strengths compared to comparably reinforced CVI-SiC matrix composites.
- OSTI ID:
- 134910
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9508127--; CNN: Contract DAALO1-93-C-4012; Contract DAAL01-94-C-4042
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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