Building SiC-based composites from polycarbosilane-derived 3D-SiC scaffolds via polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP)

Direct ink writing combined with subsequent polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) was adopted to prepare 3D SiC-based composites via the polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) route. Five types of 3D SiC scaffolds with different structural parameters, i.e. fillers of inert SiC powder and active Ti powder, predesigned interconnected pores and in-situ grown SiC coatings, were fabricated and employed in the following PIP process. The PIP process exhibited linear weight-increase stage in the first ten cycles, followed by the parabolic stage with decreased weight gain rate. Interconnected pores or coated SiCw in/on the 3D scaffolds increased the interfacial bonding strength, leading to improved strength of SiC-based composites. The current work demonstrated that dense 3D PDCs with adjustable macro-/micro-structures and compositions could be achieved via direct ink writing and the following PIP process.

Automated summary

This study utilized direct ink writing combined with polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) to prepare 3D SiC-based composites, aiming to enhance the strength of the composites by introducing interconnected pores or coated SiC within 3D scaffolds. The results demonstrate that dense 3D polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) with adjustable structures and compositions can be achieved through direct ink writing and subsequent PIP process.