Multi-scale Modeling and Finite Element Analyses of Thermal Conductivity of 3D C/SiC Composites Fabricating by Flexible-Oriented Woven Process

Thermal conductivity is one of the most significant criterion of three-dimensional carbon fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites(3D C/SiC).Represent volume element(RVE)models of microscale,void/matrix and mesoscale proposed in this work are used to simulate the thermal conductivity behaviors of the 3D C/SiC composites.An entirely new process is introduced to weave the preform with three-dimensional orthogonal architecture.The 3D steady-state analysis step is created for assessing the thermal conductivity behaviors of the composites by applying periodic temperature boundary conditions.Three RVE models of cuboid,hexagonal and fiber random distribution are respectively developed to comparatively study the influence of fiber package pattern on the thermal conductivities at the microscale.Besides,the effect of void morphology on the thermal conductivity of the matrix is analyzed by the void/matrix models.The prediction results at the mesoscale correspond closely to the experimental values.The effect of the porosities and fiber volume fractions on the thermal conductivities is also taken into consideration.The multi-scale models mentioned in this paper can be used to predict the thermal conductivity behaviors of other composites with complex structures.

Tensile Mechanical Behavior and Failure Mechanism of a Plain-Woven SiCf/SiC Composites at Room and Elevated Temperatures

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are the preferred materials for solving advanced aerospace high-temperature structural components;it has the comprehensive advantages of higher temperature (~1500˚C) and low density. In service environments, CMCs exhibit complex damage mechanisms and failure modes, which are affected by constituent materials, meso-architecture and inhere defects. In this paper, the in-plane tensile mechanical behavior of a plain-woven SiCf/SiC composite at room and elevated temperatures was investigated, and the factors affecting the tensile strength of the material were discussed in depth. The results show that the tensile modulus and strength of SiCf/SiC composites at high temperature are lower, but the fracture strain increases and the toughness of the composites is enhanced;the stitching holes significantly weaken the tensile strength of the material, resulting in the material is easy to break at the cross-section with stitching holes.

Effects of Co_(2)O_(3)Addition on Microstructure and Properties of SiC Composite Ceramics for Solar Absorber and Storage

SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration are new concentrating solar power materials.SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration were fabricated using SiC,black corundum and kaolin as the raw materials,Co_(2)O_(3)as the additive via pressureless graphite-buried sintering method in this study.Influences of Co_(2)O_(3)on the microstructure and properties of SiC composite ceramics for solar absorber and storage integration were studied.The results indicate that sample D2(5wt%Co_(2)O_(3))sintered at 1480℃exhibits optimal performances for 119.91 MPa bending strength,93%solar absorption,981.5 kJ/kg(25-800℃)thermal storage density.The weight gain ratio is 12.58 mg/cm2after 100 h oxidation at 1000℃.The Co_(2)O_(3)can decrease the liquid phase formation temperature and reduce the viscosity of liquid phase during sintering.The liquid with low viscosity not only promotes the elimination of pores to achieve densification,but also increases bending strength,solar absorption,thermal storage density and oxidation resistance.A dense SiO_(2) layer was formed on the surface of SiC after 100 h oxidation at 1000℃,which protects the sample from further oxidation.However,excessive Co_(2)O_(3)will make the microstructure loose,which is disadvantageous to the performances of samples.

Microstructures and properties of Al-50%SiC composites for electronic packaging applications

Al？50%SiC （volume fraction） composites containing different sizesofSiC particles （average sizesof 23, 38 and 75 μm） were prepared by powder metallurgy. The influences of SiC particle sizes and annealing on the propertiesof the compositeswere investigated. The results show that SiC particles are distributed uniformly in the Al matrix. The coarse SiC particles result in higher coefficient of thermal expansion （CTE） and higher thermal conductivity （TC）, while fine SiC particles decrease CTE and improve flexural strength of the composites. The morphology and size of SiC particles in the composite are not influenced by the annealing treatment at 400℃for 6h. However, the CTE and the flexural strength of annealed composites are decreased slightly, and the TCis improved. The TC, CTE and flexural strength of the Al/SiC composite with averageSiC particlesize of75 μm are 156 W/（m·K）, 11.6×10^-6K^-1 and 229 MPa, respectively.

Microstructure and properties of Al/Si/SiC composites for electronic packaging

The Al/Si/SiC composites with medium volume fraction for electronic packaging were fabricated by gas pressure infiltration.On the premise of keeping the machinability of the composites,the silicon carbide particles,which have the similar size with silicon particles（average 13 μm）,were added to replace silicon particles of same volume fraction,and microstructure and properties of the composites were investigated.The results show that reinforcing particles are distributed uniformly and no apparent pores are observed in the composites.It is also observed that higher thermal conductivity（TC） and flexural strength will be obtained with the addition of SiC particles.Meanwhile,coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） changes smaller than TC.Models for predicting thermal properties were also discussed.Equivalent effective conductivity（EEC） was proposed to make H-J model suitable for hybrid particles and multimodal particle size distribution.

Effects of thermal oxidation on microwave-absorbing and mechanical properties of SiC_f/SiC composites with PyC interphase

The SiCf/SiC composites containing PyC interphase were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration process. The influences of thermal oxidation on the complex permittivity and microwave absorption properties of Si Cf/Si C composites were investigated in the frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz. Both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity decreased after thermal oxidation. The composites after 100 h thermal oxidation showed that reflection loss exceeded-10 d B in the frequency of 9.7-11.9 GHz and the minimum value was-11.4 d B at 11.0 GHz. The flexural strength of composites decreased but fracture behavior was improved obviously after thermal oxidation. These results indicate that the SiCf/SiC composites containing PyC interphase after thermal oxidation possess good microwave absorbing property and fracture behavior.

Fabrication of Y_2Si_2O_7 coating and its oxidation protection for C/SiC composites

Yttrium silicate （Y2Si2O7） coating was fabricated on C/SiC composites through dip-coating with silicone resin ＋ Y2O3 powder slurry as raw materials. The synthesis, microstructure and oxidation resistance and the anti-oxidation mechanism of Y2Si2O7 coating were investigated. Y2Si2O7 can be synthesized by the pyrolysis of Y2O3 powder filled silicone resin at mass ratio of 54.2：45.8 and 800 °C in air and then heat treated at 1400 °C under Ar. The as-fabricated coating shows high density and favorable bonding to C/SiC composites. After oxidation in air at 1400, 1500 and 1600 °C for 30 min, the coating-containing composites possess 130%-140% of original flexural strength. The desirable thermal stability and the further densification of coating during oxidation are responsible for the excellent oxidation resistance. In addition, the formation of eutectic Y-Si-Al-O glassy phase between Y2Si2O7 and Al2O3 sample bracket at 1500 °C is discovered.

Effects of dip-coated BN interphase on mechanical properties of SiC_f/SiC composites prepared by CVI process

BN interphase was successfully synthesized on SiC fiber fabrics by dip-coating process using boric acid and urea as precursors under N2 atmosphere. The morphology of BN interphase was observed by SEM, and the structure was characterized by XRD and FT-IR spectra. The SiCf/SiC composites with dip-coated BN interphase were fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration （CVI） process, and the effects ofBN interphase on the mechanical properties of composites were investigated. The results show that the SiC fibers are fully covered by BN interphase with smooth surface and turbostratic structure （t-BN）, and the thickness is about 0.4 μm. The flexural strengths of SiCf/SiC composites with and without BN interphase are about 180 and 95 MPa, respectively. Compared with the as-received SiCf/SiC composites, the composites with BN interphase exhibit an obvious toughened fracture behavior. From the microstructural analysis, it can be confirmed that the BN interphase plays a key part in protecting the fibers from chemical attack during matrix infiltration and weakening interfacial bonding, which can improve the mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC composites remarkably.

Corrosion resistance of electrodeposited RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating

Immersion experiment results show that corrosion rate of the as deposited RE Ni W P SiC composite coating in HCl solutions increases with the rise of HCl concentration. On the contrary, the corrosion rate of the composite coating after heat treatment decreases with increasing HCl concentration. The corrosion rates of the composite coatings in as deposited state and after heat treatment in H 2SO 4 and H 3PO 4 solutions respectively decrease with the rise of H 2SO 4 and H 3PO 4 concentrations. The corrosion rate of the composite coating as deposited in FeCl 3 solutions decreases with increasing FeCl 3 concentration, while the rate of the composite coating after heat treatment increases with the rise of FeCl 3 concentration. The corrosion rate of 316L stainless steel in the corrosion media of H 2SO 4, HCl, H 3PO 4 and FeCl 3 solutions at different concentrations increases with rising concentration. In addition, the corrosion rate of 316L stainless steel in the corrosion media of H 2SO 4, HCl, H 3PO 4 and FeCl 3 solutions respectively is much greater than that of the RE Ni W P SiC composite coating as deposited and after heat treatment in the same corrosion media. [

Experimental determination of grain density function of AZ91/SiC composite with different mass fractions of SiC and undercoolings using heterogeneous nucleation model

The grain density,Nv,in the solid state after solidification of AZ91/SiC composite is a function of maximum undercooling,ΔT,of a liquid alloy.This type of function depends on the characteristics of heterogeneous nucleation sites and number of SiC present in the alloy.The aim of this paper was selection of parameters for the model describing the relationship between the grain density of primary phase and undercooling.This model in connection with model of crystallisation,which is based on chemical elements diffusion and grain interface kinetics,can be used to predict casting quality and its microstructure.Nucleation models have parameters,which exact values are usually not known and sometimes even their physical meaning is under discussion.Those parameters can be obtained after mathematical analysis of the experimental data.The composites with 0,1,2,3 and 4wt.% of SiC particles were prepared.The AZ91 alloy was a matrix of the composite reinforcement SiC particles.This composite was cast to prepare four different thickness plates.They were taken from the region near to the thermocouple,to analyze the undercooling for different composites and thickness plates and its influence on the grain size.The microstructure and thermal analysis gave set of values that connect mass fraction of SiC particles,and undercooling with grain size.These values were used to approximate nucleation model adjustment parameters.Obtained model can be very useful in modelling composites microstructure.

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of functionally graded Al2024/SiC composites prepared by powder metallurgy techniques

Al2024/SiC functionally graded materials (FGMs) with different numbers of graded layers and different amounts of SiC were fabricated successfully by powder metallurgy method and hot pressing process. The effects of increasing SiC content and number of layers of Al2024/SiC FGMs on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses indicated that Al and SiC were dominant components as well as others such as Al4C3, CuAl2, and CuMgAl2

The creep behavior of Mg-9Al-1Si-1SiC composite at elevated temperature

The creep properties of as-cast Mg-9Al-1Si alloy and Mg-9Al-1Si-1SiC composite were compared.The results show that Mg-9A1-lSi-lSiC composite performs a better creep resistance than that of Mg-9Al-1Si alloy at constant temperature and stress(473 K,70MPa).Besides,the creep behavior of Mg-9Al-1 Si-1SiC composite at various temperature from 448 K to 498 K and under stresses of 70-90 MPa were systematically investigated.The Mg-9Al-1 Si-1SiC composite exhibited a stress exponent from 5.5 to 6.9 and the creep activation energy fell within the range of 86-111 kJ/mol.The results showed that the creep mechanism of Mg-9Al-1Si-1SiC composite was mainly attributed to the effects of secondary phase strengthening mechanism and dislocation climb mechanism.

Processing and properties of 2D SiC/SiC composites by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis

Two-dimensional plain-weave silicon carbide fiber fabric reinforced silicon carbide(2D-SiC/SiC)composites were molded by stacking method and densified through precursor infiltration and pyrolysis(PIP)process.SiC coating was deposited as the fiber/matrix interphase layer by chemical vapor deposition(CVD)technique.Fiber/matrix debonding and relatively long fiber pullouts were observed on the fracture surfaces.Additionally,the flexural strength and elastic modulus of the composites with and without fiber/matrix interphase layer were investigated using three-point bending test and single-edge notched beam test.The results show that the fiber fraction and the porosity of 2D-SiC/SiC composites with and without coating are 27.2%(volume fraction)and 11.1%,and 40.7%(volume fraction)and 7.5%,respectively.And the flexural strength and elastic modulus of 2D-SiC/SiC composites with and without coating are 363.3 MPa and 127.8 GPa,and 180.2 MPa and 97.2 GPa,respectively.With a proper thickness,the coating can effectively adjust the fiber/matrix interface,thus causing a dramatic increase in the mechanical properties of the composites.

Thermodynamics of electrodeposited Ni-B-SiC composite coatings

The φ pH diagram of Ni B H 2O system was drawn, and the mechanism of electrodepositing Ni B SiC composite coatings was discussed. The results show that the deposition of Ni and B occurs prior to that of H 2 because of the over potential of H 2 evolution on the Fe substrate. Boron can not singly deposit in aqueous solution. Nickel and boron can co deposit in the form of Ni 4B 3 without evolution of hydrogen when the cathodical potential is kept to be -1.415 ～ -1.700?V.

Oxidation behavior of CVI,MSI and CVI+MSI C/SiC composites

The oxidation behavior of chemical vapor infiltration(CVI),molten silicon infiltration(MSI)and CVI+MSI C/SiC composites at 500-1 400℃was studied.The oxidation below 900℃increased successively for CVI,CVI+MSI and MSI composites.However,the oxidation of CVI composite above 1 000 ℃was much faster thanthat of MSI and CVI+MSI composites. As active carbon atoms produced by siliconization of fibers during MSI process were oxidized first and decreased initial oxidation temperature.The initial oxidation temperature of MSI,MSI+CVI and CVI composites was 526,552 and 710℃,respectively.New active carbon atoms were generated due to the breaking of 2D molecular chains during oxidation,so the activation energy of three C/SiC composites was decreased gradually at 500-800℃with oxidation process,exhibiting a self-catalytic characteristic.

Analytical Model of Elastic Modulus and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion for 2.5D C/SiC Composite

To make better use of 2.5D C/SiC composites in industry, it is necessary to understand the mechanical properties. A finite element model＇of 2.5D composites is established, by considering the fiber undulation and the porosity in 2.5D C/SiC composites. The fiber direction of warp is defined by cosine function to simulate the undulation of warp, and based on uniform strain assumption, analytical model of the elastic modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion （CTE） for 2.5D C/SiC composites were established by using dual- scale model. The result is found to correlate reasonably well with the predicted results and experimental results. The parametric study also demonstrates the effects of the fiber volume fraction, distance of warp yarn, and porosity in micro-scale on the mechanical properties and the coefficients of thermal expansion.

Blast and tensile properties of tantalum/niobium lined SiC/SiC composite tubes for nuclear cladding

The mechanical performances such as tensile strength and blast property of metal lined SiC/SiC composite cladding tubes were investigated. Nb or Ta was selected as liner material, and the SiC/SiC composite layer was fabricated by winding and different precursor impregnation and pyrolysis(PIP) processes. The tensile strengths of different tube samples were measured at room temperature(RT) and 1200 °C, respectively. The blast property was investigated through the maximum water pressure of tubes. And the fracture microstructures were observed by SEM.The highest tensile strength at RT was 150.7 MPa. The blast strength was enhanced with the PIP process increasing from 1 to 4 cycles and the tube of 4 PIP cycles had the highest water pressure of 34.7 MPa. Compared with the metal tubes, the multi-layer structure improved tensile and blast properties significantly. The different processes such as PIP cycles and pyrolytic carbon(PyC) coating were important factors to enhance the mechanical performances of SiC/SiC-based tubes. However, the retention rate of tensile strength was only 18.5% at 1200 °C.

Monotonic tensile behavior analysis of three-dimensional needle-punched woven C/SiC composites by acoustic emission

High toughness and reliable three-dimensional needled C/SiC composites were fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration （CVI）. An approach to analyze the tensile behaviors at room temperature and the damage accumulation of the composites by means of acoustic emission was researched. Also the fracture morphology was examined by S-4700 SEM after tensile tests to prove the damage mechanism. The results indicate that the cumulative energy of acoustic emission （AE） signals can be used to monitor and evaluate the damage evolution in ceramic-matrix composites. The initiation of room-temperature tensile damage in C/SiC composites occurred with the growth of micro-cracks in the matrix at the stress level about 40% of the ultimate fracture stress. The level 70% of the fracture stress could be defined as the critical damage strength.

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al_(2)O_(3)/SiC Composite Ceramics for Solar Heat Absorber

Al_(2)O_(3)/SiC composite ceramics were prepared fromα-Al_(2)O_(3) and SiC by a pressureless sinter method in this study.The effect of SiC contents on the mechanic properties,phase compositions and microstructure is studied.Experimental results show that the vickers hardness,wear resistance and thermal conductivity of the samples increase with the increase in the SiC content,and the hardness of the sample reaches 16.22 GPa,and thermal conductivity of the sample reaches 25.41 W/(m.K)at room temperature when the SiC content is 20 wt%(B5)and the sintering temperature is at 1640℃.Higher hardness means higher scour resistance,and it indicates that the B5 material is expected to be used for the solar heat absorber of third generation solar thermal generation.The results indicate the mechanism of improving mechanical properties of Al_(2)O_(3)/SiC composite ceramics:SiC plays a role in grain refinement that the grain of SiC inhibits the grain growth of Al_(2)O_(3),while the addition of SiC changes the fracture mode from the intergranular to the intergranular-transgranular.

Preparation and Anti-oxidation Mechanism of Mullite/Yttrium Silicate Coatings on C/SiC Composites

In order to enhance the oxidation resistance of C/Si C composites, mullite/yttrium silicate coatings were fabricated on C/Si C composites through dip-coating route. Al_2O_3-SiO_2 sol with high solid content was selected as the raw material for mullite and ＂silicone resin ＋ Y_2O_3 powder＂ slurry was used to synthesize yttrium silicate. The microstructure and phase composition of coatings were characterized, and the investigation on oxidation resistance and anti-oxidation mechanism was emphasized. The as-fabricated coatings consisting of SiO_2-rich mullite phase and Y_2Si_2O_7 phase show high density and favorable bonding to C/Si C composites. After oxidized at 1 400 ℃ and 1 500 ℃ for 30 min in static air, the coating-containing C/Si C composites possess 91.9% and 102.4% of the original flexural strength, respectively. The desirable thermal stability of coatings and the further densification of coatings due to viscous flow of rich SiO_2 and Y-Si-Al-O glass are responsible for the excellent oxidation resistance. In addition, the coating-containing composites retain 99.0% of the original flexural strength and the coatings exhibit no cracking and desquamation after 12 times of thermal shock from 1 400 ℃ to room temperature, which are ascribed to the combination of anti-oxidation mechanism and preferable physical and chemical compatibility among C/Si C composites, mullite and Y_2Si_2O_7. The carbothermal reaction at 1 600 ℃ between free carbon in C/Si C substrate and rich SiO_2 in mullite results in severe frothing and desquamation of coatings and obvious degradation in oxidation resistance.