Fabrication and high-temperature mechanical properties of 2.5DSi3N4f/BN fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite

Wave-transparent components to protect radar equipment from aerodynamic load and heat requires highly mechanical reliability at high temperatures. This study reports the microstructure, high-temperature mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of a new 2.50Si3N4r/BN wave-transparent composite prepared by a borazine infiltration and pyrolysis route. The obtained composite had a relative density of 91.1% and the derived BN matrix was turbostratic in microstructure with a low interlayer spacing of 3.44 A. The bending strength of the composite at room temperature was 132.6 MPa, which decreased to 120.8 MPa upon in-situ testing at 1000 C in air, and further declined to 101.2 and 73.4 MPa when tested at 1200 and 1300 degrees C without evidence for brittle fracture. The strength degradation was related to the oxidation of the composite at high temperatures. The oxidation of BN matrix was the predominant oxidation of the composite below 1200 degrees C while liquid B203 became less protective as the temperature increased. A more oxygen-resistant viscous SiO2-rich glass was formed beyond 1200 C due to the oxidation of the reinforcing fibers, which enlarged the temperature range of passive oxidation up to 1400 degrees C and prevented the composite from excessive oxidation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.