Abstract:Cf/SiC composites were prepared by precursor pyrolysis-hot pressing, and the effect of fiber characteristics on the fracture behavior of the composites was investigated. Because the heat treatment temperature of fiber T300 (below 1500 ℃) was much lower than that of fiber M40JB (over 2000℃), fiber T300 had lower degree of graphitization and consisted of more impurities compared with fiber M40JB, suggesting that T300 exhibits higher chemical activity. As a result, the composite with T300 showed a brittle fracture behavior, which is mainly ascribed to a strongly bonded fiber/matrix interface as well as the degradation of fibers during the preparation of the composite. However, the composite wit h M40JB exhibits a tough fracture behavior, which is primarily attributed to aweakly bonded fiber/matrix interface and higher strength retention of the fibers.

Key words:  C_f/SiC composites; fiber characteristics; fracture behavior