Microstructure and interlaminar shear property of carbon fiber-SiC nanowire/pyrolytic carbon composites with SiC nanowires growing at different positions

In order to improve the interlaminar shearing strength of carbon fiber/pyrolytic carbon (Cf/PyC) composites, SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) growing at different positions were introduced into carbon fiber/pyrolytic carbon composites to generate carbon fiber-SiC nanowire/pyrolytic carbon (Cf-SiCNWs/PyC) composites. Cf-SiCNWs/PyC composites were prepared by sol-gel and isothermal chemical vapor infiltration (ICVI) method. The morphology, microstructure and compositions of composites were investigated by SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS. The interlaminar shearing strength was tested and the effect of SiCNWs growth positions on the interlaminar shearing strength was investigated. The results showed that SiCNWs were consisted of perfect single crystalline structure of β-SiC with diameter of 160–200 nm. The SiCNWs could grow at four kinds of positions to combine with carbon fibers to form multi-scaled reinforcements (micro-scaled carbon fibers and nanoscaled SiCNWs). The interlaminar shear strength of Cf-SiCNWs/PyC composites were increased by 78% compared with Cf/PyC composites without SiCNWs. The improvement of interlaminar shear strength was attributed to bridging and pull-out of multi-scaled reinforcements composed of carbon fibers and SiCNWs as well as the enhancement of fiber/matrix interface bonding generated by SiCNWs growing at different positions.