Preparation and tensile behavior of SiCf/SiC mini composites containing different types and thicknesses of interphase

SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix (SiCf/SiC) composites are promising materials for high-temperature structural applications. In this study, KD-II SiC fiber bundles with a C/Si ratio of approximately 1.25 and an oxygen amount of 2.53%, were used as reinforcement. PyC interphase, PyC-SiC co-deposition interphase I and II, with different thicknesses, and SiC matrix were deposited into the SiC fiber bundles by using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) to form SiCf/SiC mini composites. When the thickness of the interphase is approximately 1000 nm, the ultimate tensile stress and strain of SiCf/SiC mini composites with PyC-SiC co-deposition interphase I can reach 1120.0 MPa and 0.72%, respectively, which are significantly higher than those of SiCf/SiC mini composites with a PyC interphase (740.0 MPa, 0.87%) and PyC-SiC co-deposition interphase II (645.0 MPa, 0.54%). The effect of thicknesses and types of interphase on tensile fracture behavior of mini composites and then the fracture mechanism are discussed in detail.