Fabrication and properties of C-f/ZrC-SiC-based composites by an improved reactive melt infiltration

C-f/ZrC-SiC composites with a density of 2.52g/cm(3) and a porosity of 1.68% were fabricated via reactive melt infiltration (RMI) of Siinto nano-porous C-f/ZrC-C preforms. The nano-porous C-f/ZrC-C preforms were prepared through a colloid process, with a ZrC protective coating formed surrounding the carbon fibers. Consequently, highly dense C-f/ZrC-SiC composites without evident fiber/interphase degradation were obtained. Moreover, abundant needle-shaped ZrSi2 grains were formed in the composites. Benefiting from this unique microstructure, flexural strength, and elastic modulus of the composites are as high as 380MPa and 61GPa, respectively, which are much higher than C-f/ZrC-SiC composites prepared by conventional RMI.