Polymer‐derived silicon nitride and silicon carbonitride fibers

Abstract

The pyrolysis of organoelemental polymerss provides a powerful route to high‐ppurity, high‐performance ceramics. The various factors influencing the production of low‐oxygen‐content ceramic fibers from polymeric silazanes are examined and the possibility of controlling the composition of the fibers by varying the pyrolysis atmosphere resulting in stable, amorphous phases is described. The fibers have great potential in the reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites.