Micro-CT characterization on porosity structure of 3D Cf/SiCm composite

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 1645 - 1650
• Main Authors: Feng, Yanjian, Feng, Zude, Li, Siwei, Zhang, Weihua, Luan, Xingan, Liu, Yongsheng, Cheng, Laifei, Zhang, Litong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Architecture; Bundles; Carbon fibers; Carbon fibres; Chemical vapor infiltration; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deposition; Exact sciences and technology; Infiltration; Materials science; Morphology; Nondestructive testing; Other materials; Physics; Porosity; Silicon carbide; Specific materials; Three dimensional; X-rays; Ceramic matrix composite; Tridirectional fiber material; Fiber reinforced material; B. Porosity; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; Computerized tomography; X-ray microcomputed tomography; Non destructive method; Carbon fibers; Investigation method; Morphology; Chemical vapor infiltration; X radiation; Porosity; Woven material; A. Ceramic-matrix composites; Microstructure; B. Microstructures
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.07.015

The fabric architecture and porosity of three-dimensional (3D) Cf/SiC composites were characterised using X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT). The non-destructive observation showed an inhomogeneous structure of the carbon fibre performs with gradiently distributed porosity. The shape of fibre bundles and porosity were studied with respect to the gas transport during chemical vapour infiltration (CVI). Differences in the growth rate of deposition between the outer surface and inner porosity were identified by reconstructing the porosity morphology, which agreed well with the "node-bond" theoretical model. In the light of the porosity features, gas retention and viscous flow were shown to play key roles in the formation of the inner structure of Cf/SiCm.