Mechanical Properties of 2-D Silica-Silica Continuous Fiber-reinforced Ceramic-matrix Composite Fabricated by Sol-Gel Infiltration

Abstract

2-dimensional silica-silica Continuous Fiber-reinforced Ceramic-matrix Composites (CFCCs) were fabricated by a sol-gel infilitration method that has a changing processing condition, such as the repetitions of infilitration. In order to investigate the relationship between the processing condition and the mechanical properties of composites, the mechanical properties of specimens were measured by means of a 4-point flexural strength test while the evidence of strength degradation were microstructurally characterized. There seemed to be a minimum density value that existed at which the delamination between the fabrics would not occur. In the case that the density of silica CFCCs exceeded 1.55g/㎤, the flexural strength also exceeded approximately 18MPa at least. By applying the Minimum Solid Area (MSA) analysis of the porous structure, the correlation between the relative density and the mechanical properties of composites will be discussed.