Development of SiC-Si composites with fine-grained SiC microstructures

Abstract This work summarises the influence of the original particle-size of the SiC powder on the mechanical properties of silicon infiltrated SiC (SiC-Si) composite. These composites are based on a defined SiC particle-size structure. Using α-SiC powders with a mean particle-size of 12·8, 6·4, 4·5 and 3 μm, a clear linear enhancement of the bending strength with decrease of SiC-particle-size was observed. However, a further decrease of the SiC particle-size (from 3 to 0·5 μm) brought no increase of the strength and toughness, respectively. ©