Fabrication and Properties of Cf/SiC-ZrC Composites

ZrC particles are introduced into carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites to improve their high-temperature performances. Composites without interphases have higher densities than those with interphases and most ZrC particles remain in the fiber interbundle areas. All composites show typical noncatastrophic fracture behavior regardless of the existence of the interphases. However, the addition of interphases will increase the bending strength and the length of fiber pullouts. A bending strength of 749 +/- 15 MPa is achieved when similar to 100 nm PyC interphase is deposited. The surfaces of pulled-out fibers without interphases are rough, while those with interphases are smoother. For composites with PyC/SiC interphase, the pulled-out fibers keep their original surface morphology.