C/SiC Composites by Electrophoretical Infiltration

Due to its high thermodynamical stability carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide is an interesting material for high temperature applications. Studies are described to find an innovative route for fabricating C/SiC composites by using electrophoresis for infiltrating carbon fiber mats with non-aqueous suspensions of mixtures of silicon carbide powders, stabilizers and sintering aids. The suitability of nano-scaled and submicron powders is discussed. Based on investigations of the interaction between the SiC particle surfaces and the carbon fibers essential technological parameters of the electrophoretic infiltration are defined. The fabrication of C/SiC composites by lamination of single infiltrated fiber mats and a subsequent thermal process is demonstrated.