Tensile creep properties and damage mechanisms of 2D-SiCf/SiC composites reinforced with low-oxygen high-carbon type SiC fiber

Abstract Tensile creep properties of 2D-SiCf/SiC composites reinforced with low-oxygen high-carbon type SiC fibers were studied in vacuum at 1300°C∼1430°C. The fracture morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy and the damage of fiber in 2D-SiCf/SiC composites was characterized by nanoindentation. Moreover, the microstructure of the composite was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results show that rupture time is much shortened and steady-state creep rate increase three orders of magnitude when creep temperature is higher than 1400°C. There are two different creep damage mechanisms due to the decrease of interfacial bonding strength at high temperature. The amorphous SiOxCy phase in the fibers can crystallize into SiC and C and the SiC grain grows in the fiber. The microstructural changes lead to the decrease of fiber strength and degrade the creep properties of the composite above 1400°C.