Three-dimensional carbon/silicon carbide composites prepared by chemical vapor infiltration

Continuous-carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composites (C/SiC) were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration in which the preforms were fabricated with the three-dimensional braid method. The mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated. For the composites with no interfacial layer, flexural strength and fracture toughness increased with density of the composites, and the maximum values were 520 MPa and 16.5 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. The fracture behavior was dependent on the interfacial bonding between fiber/matrix and fiber bundle/bundle which was determined by the density of the composites. Heat treatment had a significant influence on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior. The composites with pyrolysis interfacial layers exhibited characteristic fracture and relatively low strength (300 MPa).