Mechanical Property Study of the Fiber-Matrix Interface in SiC/SiC Composites

The fiber-matrix interface between ceramic fibers and ceramic matrix plays a major role in the fatigue properties and toughness of continuous fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Boron Nitride (BN) is a widely used fiber coating material that provides a weak bond between the fiber and matrix. A weak fiber-matrix interface increases the strength and toughness of the overall CMC. Single fiber push-out tests were performed to study interfacial shear strength as a main parameter defining fatigue properties and toughness of SiC/SiC composites. The fiber-matrix interfacial shear strength was studied in melt infiltrated Hi-Nicalon/BN(CVI)/SiC composites exposed to various temperature and loading conditions, similar to those that are used in actual applications. Hi-Nicalon fibers with diameters of 13-14.5 μm were pushed out from samples with thicknesses ranging from 125-280 μm using a spherical tip with a 1 μm radius and 90° conical shape. Interfacial shear strength was calculated from sliding load, fiber diameter and sample thickness. Due to significant scattering, 30 individual push tests in every sample were used to obtain the average interfacial shear strength. The virgin sample has a shear strength of 20 MPa which is higher than tensile tested samples (12 MPa). Annealing of a virgin specimen for 100 hours at 1000°C slightly increased shear strength up to 21.5 MPa while annealing at 1100°C and 1200°C led to significant increase of shear strength up to 29 and 39 MPa correspondingly. This effect is associated with BN degradation at temperatures >1000°C.