The fabrication and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites prepared by SLS combined with PIP

Traditionally, SiC components with complex shapes are very difficult or even impossible to fabricate. This paper aims to develop a new manufacturing process, combining selective laser sintering (SLS), cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and polymer infiltration pyrolysis (PIP), to manufacture complex silicon carbide parts and improve the mechanical properties of silicon carbide ceramic parts. The density and porosity of SiC/SiC composites were measured. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the specimens with cold isostatic pressing and the specimens without cold isostatic pressing were compared. The bending strength of the specimens with cold isostatic pressing was 201 MPa, and the elastic modulus was 1.27 GPa. And, the bending strength of the specimens without cold isostatic pressing was 142 MPa, and the elastic modulus was 0.88 GPa. Increasing the density of SiC/SiC can enhance the mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites.