Effects of polymer infiltration processing temperature on mechanical & thermal properties of Nextel 312 Fibre SiOC ceramics

The effects of the polymer infilatration processing (PIP) temperature between 850 and 1050^oC on the mechanical and thermal properities of Nextel 312 fibre SiOC ceramic matrix composite were studied.  

The aim was to optimise the material system for its proposed application as a mechanical gas-seal at temperatures up to 900^oC.  The microstructure and its failure behaviour at room temperature were characterised using electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction and high resolution X-ray Tomography, with mechanical testing by nano-indentation, fibre-push out and flexural bending.  Thermo-gravimetric analysis quantified the thermal stability.

Processing at 950^oC or above gave a combination of high effective elastic modulus, good resistance to mechanical damage from tensile strain and good thermal stability.

Read the full paper in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.