In situ growth carbon nanotube reinforced SiCf/SiC composite

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced SiCf/SiC composite was prepared by in situ chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of CNTs on SIC fibers then following polymer impregnation pyrolysis (PIP) process. The nature of CNTs and the microstructure of the as prepared CNT-SiCf/SiC composite were investigated. The mechanical properties of the as prepared CNT-SiCf/SiC composite were measured. The results reveal that the in situ CVD growth of CNTs on SIC fibers remarkably promotes the mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC composite. The secondly pull-out of CNTs from matrix during the pull-out of the SiC fibers from matrix consumes the deformation energies, resulting in promotion of the mechanical properties for composite. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.