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Silicon Carbide Fiber-Reinforced Silicon Nitride Composites

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Handbook of Ceramic Composites

Abstract

The fabrication and thermo-mechanical properties of SiC monofilament- and SiC fiber tow-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites (SiC/RBSN) and fully dense SiC monofilament-reinforced silicon nitride matrix composites (SiC/Si3N4) have been reviewed. The SiC/RBSN composites display high strength and toughness, and low thermal conductivity in the as-fabricated condition, but are susceptible to internal oxidation and mechanical property degradation in the intermediate temperature range from 400 to 1100°C. The internal oxidation problem can be avoided by applying functionally graded oxidation resistant coatings on external surfaces of the composite. On the other hand, the fully dense SiC/Si3N4 composites fabricated by using SiC monofilaments and pressure assisted sintering methods display moderate strength and limited strain capability beyond matrix cracking stress. Advantages, disadvantages, and potential applications of SiC fiber-reinforced silicon nitride matrix composites fabricated using various fiber types and processing methods are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Vehicle Technology Directorate, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135

    Ramakrishna T. Bhatt

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  1. Ramakrishna T. Bhatt
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. NASA Glenn Research Center, USA

    Narottam P. Bansal

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© 2005 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Bhatt, R.T. (2005). Silicon Carbide Fiber-Reinforced Silicon Nitride Composites. In: Bansal, N.P. (eds) Handbook of Ceramic Composites. Springer, Boston, MA . https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-23986-3_7

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