Processing and performance of porous SiO_2f/SiO₂ composites

Two dimensional fused silica fiber reinforced porous fused silica matrix composites was fabricated by slurry and vacuum infiltration technique. The crystallization behavior of fused silica was studied with different binders and different heat treatment temperature. The composites exhibit noncatastrophic failure behavior, extensive fiber pullout, but much low bending strength. Through tensile testing of fiber tows with or without silica slurry treated at different temperature, the fiber degraded after heat treated at the temperature of 800°C for two hours. This is the main reason for the rather low bending strength of the composites.