Fabrication and properties of C _f /ZrC‐SiC‐based composites by an improved reactive melt infiltration

Abstract

Abstract C f /ZrC‐SiC composites with a density of 2.52 g/cm 3 and a porosity of 1.68% were fabricated via reactive melt infiltration ( RMI ) of Si into nano‐porous C f /ZrC‐C preforms. The nano‐porous C f /ZrC‐C preforms were prepared through a colloid process, with a ZrC “protective coating” formed surrounding the carbon fibers. Consequently, highly dense C f /ZrC‐SiC composites without evident fiber/interphase degradation were obtained. Moreover, abundant needle‐shaped ZrSi 2 grains were formed in the composites. Benefiting from this unique microstructure, flexural strength, and elastic modulus of the composites are as high as 380 MP a and 61 GP a, respectively, which are much higher than C f /ZrC‐SiC composites prepared by conventional RMI .