Optimizing the transverse thermal conductivity of 2D-SiCf/SiC composites.: II.: Experimental

Model predictions of the transverse thermal conductivity (K-eff) are compared to experimentally determined values as a function of temperature for a commercial 2D-SiCf/SiC made by DuPont from plain weave Hi-Nicalon(TM) fabric and with an ICVI-SiC matrix. Two versions of the DuPont composite were examined: one with a 'thin' and one with a 'thick' pyrolytic carbon (PyC) fiber coating of thickness 0.110 and 1.044 mum, respectively. Generally good agreement of either the Hasselman-Johnson or the Markworth model predictions (see companion paper, L Modeling.) with measured values of K-eff for this composite suggest that these models can be used to predict K-eff for composites with various 'non-ideal' fiber, interphase and matrix structures. Importantly, the models make it possible to separate the relative component contributions to K-eff so that individual component degradation mechanisms can be examined in detail. For the two versions of the well-bonded, as-received DuPont composite made with Hi-Nicalon(TM) woven fabric, at 200 degreesC constituent values K-m = 22-25 W/m K (matrix thermal conductivity), K-c approximate to 25 W/m K (PyC-coating thermal conductivity) and h(eq) = 2.4 x 10(7) W/m(2) K (equivalent fiber-matrix interfacial thermal conductance) were determined. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.