Revealing the formation mechanism of the skin-core structure in nearly stoichiometric polycrystalline SiC fibers

The polymer-derived SiC fibers have broad application prospects in the fields of aerospace, nuclear industry and high-tech weapon. Oxygen plays an essential role in adjusting the composition, structure and tensile strength of SiC fibers. Our studies have found that introducing too much oxygen during air curing process will form the skin-core structure in nearly stoichiometric polycrystalline SiC fibers. In order to reveal the formation mechanism of the skin-core structure, gradient oxygen was introduced into the fibers. The morphologies, phase distributions and defects of the fibers were well characterized. By strictly controlling the introduction of oxygen, the polycrystalline product fiber exhibits intragranular fracture behavior and excellent high-temperature resistance. The retention rate of its tensile strength can reach up to 91% and 61% after exposure at 1800 degrees C for 1 h and 10 h, respectively. The present results give valuable insights into the structural optimization of the nearly stoichiometric polycrystalline SiC fibers.