Enhanced oxidation resistance of SiC/SiC minicomposites via slurry infiltration of oxide layers

SiC based composite materials commonly have protective silica surface in air. Under humid environments at high temperatures, like occur in jet engines, the silica surface layer reacts with water molecules to form volatile silicon hydroxide (Si(OH)₄) and the protection is reduced which cause jet engine degradation. An alternative approach to protect SiC based composites would be to infiltrate the SiC matrix via slurry with an oxide material that is resistant to the high-temperature and humid environment. As proof of concept, aqueous based mullite particle slurries were infiltrated by pressurized flow and by capillarity of the wetting slurry on the external surface of the porous SiC matrix of single-fiber-tow SiC/SiC minicomposites. Minicomposites were precracked at room temperature during tensile tests then tested in tensile creep in air at 1200 °C to study the degree of protection that the infiltrated mullite provided at high temperatures. Next, fracture surfaces were examined using SEM.