Preparation and properties of unidirectional boron nitride fibre reinforced boron nitride matrix composites via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis route

The unidirectional boron nitride fibre reinforced boron nitride matrix (BNf/BN) composites were prepared via the precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) route, and the structure, composition, mechanical and dielectric properties were studied. The composites have a high content and fine crystallinity of BN. The density is 1.60 g cm(-3) with a low open porosity of 4.66%. The composites display good mechanical properties with the average flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness being 53.8 MPa, 20.8 GPa and 6.88 MPa m(1/2), respectively. Lots of long fibres pull-out from the fracture surface, suggesting a good fibre/matrix interface. As temperature increases, both of the flexural strength and elastic modulus exhibit a decreasing trend, with the lowest values being 36.2 MPa and 8.6 GPa at 1000 C, respectively. The desirable residual ratios of the flexural strength and elastic modulus at 1000 C are 67.3% and 41.3%, respectively. The composites have excellent dielectric properties, with the average dielectric constant and loss tangent being 3.07 and 0.0044 at 2-18 GHz, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.