Silicon Carbide/Silicon and Silicon Carbide/Silicon Carbide Composites Produced by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Composites of SiC/Si and SiC/SiC were prepared from single yarns of SiC. The use of carbon coatings on SiC yarn prevented the degradation normally observed when chemically vapor deposited Si is applied to SiC yarn. The strength, however, was not retained when the composite was heated at elevated temperatures in air. In contrast, the strength of a SiC/C/SiC composite was not reduced after this composite was heated at elevated temperatures, even when the fiber ends were exposed.