Enchanced high-temperature performances of SiC/SiC composites by high densification and crystalline structure

We report the enchanced in situ performances of tensile strength and thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures of the PCS-free SiC/SiC composite with a high fiber volume fraction above 50% fabricated by NITE process for nuclear applications. The composite was fabricated by the optimized combination of the fiber coating, the matrix slurry and the pressure-sintering conditions, based on our previous composites' study history. The composite showed the excellent tensile strength up to 1500 degrees C, that it retained approximately 88% of the room-temperature strength. Also, the thermal conductivity of the composites represented over 20 W/m K up to 1500 degrees C, which was enough high to take the advantage of the assumed design value for nuclear applications. Microstructural observation indicated that the excellent high-temperature performances regarding tensile strength and thermal conductivity up to 1500 degrees C were the contribution to the high densification and crystalline structure in matrix. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.