Fabrication of tough SiCf/SiC composites by electrophoretic deposition using a fabric coated with FeO-catalyzed phenolic resin

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 1311 - 1320
• Main Authors: Fitriani, Pipit, Septiadi, Arifin, Yoon, Dang-Hyok, Sharma, Amit Siddharth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Ceramic matrix composites; Flexural strength; Hot pressing; SiC; Hot pressing; Ceramic matrix composites; SiC; Flexural strength
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.12.024

A hybrid processing route based on vacuum infiltration, electrophoretic deposition, and hot-pressing was adopted to fabricate dense and tough SiCf/SiC composites. The as-received Tyranno SiC fabric preform was infiltrated with phenolic resin containing 5wt.% FeO and SiC powders followed by pyrolysis at 1700°C for 4h to form an interphase. Electrophoretic deposition was performed to infiltrate the SiC-based matrix into the SiC preforms. Finally, SiC green tapes were sandwiched between the SiC fabrics to control the volume fraction of the matrix. Densification close to 95% ρtheo was achieved by incorporating 10wt.% Al2O3-Sc2O3 sintering additive to facilitate liquid phase sintering at 1750°C and 20MPa for 2h. X-ray diffraction and Raman analyses confirmed the catalytic utility of FeO by the formation of a pyrolytic carbon phase. The flexural response was explained in terms of the extensive fractography results and observed energy dissipating modes.