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At least 55 records · Page 3

Comparison of the Tensile, Creep, and Rupture Strength Properties of Stoichiometric SiC Fibers

Tensile strength, creep strength, and rupture strength properties were measured for the following types of polymer-derived stoichiometric SiC fibers: Hi-Nicalon Type S from Nippon Carbon, Tyranno SA from Ube, and Sylramic from Dow Corning. Also included in this study were an earlier version of the SA fiber plus two recent developmental versions of the Sylramic fiber. The tensile strength measurements were made at room temperature on as-received fibers and on fibers after high-temperature inert exposure. The creep-rupture property data were obtained at 1400 deg C in air as well as, argon. Some fiber types showed strong effects of environment on their strength properties. These results are compared and discussed in terms of underlying mechanisms and implications for ceramic composites.

Yun, H. M.↗

Microstructure and Tensile Properties of BN/SiC Coated Hi-Nicalon, and Sylramic SiC Fiber Preforms

Batch to batch and within batch variations, and the influence of fiber architecture on room temperature physical and tensile properties of BN/SiC coated Hi-Nicalon and Sylramic SiC fiber preform specimens were determined. The three fiber architectures studied were plain weave (PW), 5-harness satin (5HS), and 8-harness satin (8HS). Results indicate that the physical properties vary up to 10 percent within a batch, and up to 20 percent between batches of preforms. Load-reload (Hysteresis) and acoustic emission methods were used to analyze damage accumulation occurring during tensile loading. Early acoustic emission activity, before observable hysteretic behavior, indicates that the damage starts with the formation of nonbridged tunnel cracks. These cracks then propagate and intersect the load bearing "0 deg" fibers giving rise to hysteretic behavior. For the Hi-Nicalon preform specimens, the onset of "0 deg" bundle cracking stress and strain appeared to be independent of the fiber architecture. Also, the "0 deg" fiber bundle cracking strain remained nearly the same for the preform specimens of both fiber types. TEM analysis indicates that the CVI BN interface coating is mostly amorphous and contains carbon and oxygen impurities, and the CVI SiC coating is crystalline. No reaction exists between the CVI BN and SiC coating.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Microstructure and Tensile Properties of BN/SiC Coated Hi-Nicalon, and Sylramic SiC Fiber Preforms

Batch to batch and within batch variations, and the influence of fiber architecture on room temperature physical and tensile properties of BN/SiC coated Hi-Nicalon and Sylramic SiC fiber preform specimens were determined. The three fiber architectures studied were plain weave (PW), 5-harness satin (5HS) and 8-harness satin (8HS) Results indicate that the physical properties vary up to 10 percent within a batch, and up to 20 percent between batches of preforms. Load-reload (Hysteresis) and acoustic emission methods were used to analyze damage accumulation occurring during tensile loading. Early acoustic emission activity, before observable hysteretic behavior, indicates that the damage starts with the formation of nonbridged tunnel cracks. These cracks then propagate and intersect the load bearing "0" fibers giving rise to hysteretic behavior, For the Hi-Nicalon preform specimens, the onset of "0" bundle cracking stress and strain appeared to be independent of the fiber architecture. Also, the "0" fiber bundle cracking strain remained nearly the same for the preform specimens of both fiber types. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis indicates that the Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) Boron Nitride (BN) interface coating is mostly amorphous and contains carbon and oxygen impurities, and the CVI SiC coating is crystalline. No reaction exists between the CVI BN and SiC coating.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Investigation of the reaction kinetics between SiC fibers and selectively alloyed titanium matrix composites and determination of their mechanical properties

During high temperature exposure, an interfacial reaction occurs between SiC fiber reinforcement and titanium matrices which can be detrimental to the mechanical properties of the composite. The reaction kinetics between SCS-6 fibers and Ti-1100 were determined at 800 to 1000 C and found to be slower than those of other currently used titanium alloys (Ti-15-3, Ti-6-4). The experimentally determined reaction kinetics for Ti-1100 were extrapolated to 700 C and found to accurately predict reaction zone size after 1000 hours of exposure. Predictions of the time to consume the surface layer on the SCS-6 and SCS-9 fibers were made in an effort to estimate the time that the fiber will retain its strength in Ti-1100 during isothermal exposure at high temperatures. Using this approach, the strength of an SCS-6 fiber in Ti-1100 should be retained for over 20,000 hours at isothermal exposures less than 800 C. Strength predictions using the rule of mixtures for a unidirectional Ti-1100/SCS-6 composite are presented for short term exposures up to 700 C. Room temperature tests of an as-fabricated 20 volume percent fiber/Ti-1100 composite yielded a UTS of 226 ksi (1490 MPa) which is close to that predicted by the ROM.

Gundel, Douglas B.↗

Fracture Mechanisms For SiC Fibers And SiC/SiC Composites Under Stress-Rupture Conditions at High Temperatures

The successful application of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites as high-temperature structural materials depends strongly on maximizing the fracture or rupture life of the load-bearing fiber and matrix constituents. Using high-temperature data measured under stress-rupture test conditions, this study examines in a mechanistic manner the effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the creep and fracture behavior of a variety of SiC fiber types. It is shown that although some fiber types fracture during a large primary creep stage, the fiber creep rate just prior to fracture plays a key role in determining fiber rupture time (Monkman-Grant theory). If it is assumed that SiC matrices rupture in a similar manner as fibers with the same microstructures, one can develop simple mechanistic models to analyze and optimize the stress-rupture behavior of SiC/SiC composites for applied stresses that are initially below matrix cracking.

DiCarlo, James A.↗

Thermal Stability of Hi-Nicalon SiC Fiber in Nitrogen and Silicon Environments

The room temperature tensile strength of uncoated and two types of pyrolytic boron nitride coated (PBN and Si-rich PBN) Hi-Nicalon SiC fibers was determined after 1 to 400 hr heat treatments to 1800 C under N2 pressures of 0.1, 2, and 4 MPa, and under 0.1 Mpa argon and vacuum environments. In addition, strength stability of both uncoated and coated fibers embedded in silicon powder and exposed to 0.1 MPa N2 for 24 hrs at temperatures to 1400 C was investigated. The uncoated and both types of BN coated fibers exposed to N2 for 1 hr showed noticeable strength degradation above 1400 C and 1600 C, respectively. The strength degradation appeared independent of nitrogen pressure, time of heat treatment, and surface coatings. TEM microstructural analysis suggests that flaws created due to SiC grain growth are responsible for the strength degradation. In contact with silicon powder, the uncoated and both types of PBN coated fibers degrade rapidly above 1350 C.

Bhatt, R. T.↗

Thermomechanical Behavior of Advanced SiC Fiber Multifilament Tows

In order to relate single fiber behavior to multiple fiber behavior in composites, fast-fracture tensile strength, creep, and stress-rupture studies were conducted on advanced SiC fiber multifilament tows in the temperature range from 20 to 1400 C in air as well as in inert environments. For conditions of small fiber creep (short times and low temperatures), the tow results of this study confirm the ability of limited single fiber data to model the strength behavior of multiple fibers in a bundle. For conditions of high creep (long times and high temperatures), further studies are needed to explain tow rupture behavior being better than average single fiber behavior.

Yun, Hee Mann↗

Influence of interfacial shear strength on the mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

An evaluation is made of the influence of interfacial microstructure and shear strength on the mechanical properties of a 30 vol pct uniaxially-aligned SiC fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded Si3N4-matrix composite whose interface microstructure was varied through control of fabrication conditions and by heat-treatment in an oxidizing environment. The carbon-rich coating of the as-produced SiC fibers was stable in composites fabricated at 1200 C in an N or N + 4-percent H mixture for 40 hrs. This coating was degraded in composites fabricated at 1350 C in N + 4 percent H for 40 and 72 hrs, as well as after heat-treatment in an oxidizing environment at 600 C for 100 hrs even after fabrication at 1200 C in N. This degradation occurred via carbon removal.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Thermal effects on the mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction bonded silicon nitride matrix (SiC/RBSN) composites

The elevated temperature four-point flexural strength and the room temperature tensile and flexural strength properties after thermal shock were measured for ceramic composites consisting of 30 vol pct uniaxially aligned 142 micron diameter SiC fibers in a reaction bonded Si3N4 matrix. The elevated temperature strengths were measured after 15 min of exposure in air at temperatures to 1400 C. Thermal shock treatment was accomplished by heating the composite in air for 15 min at temperatures to 1200 C and then quenching in water at 25 C. The results indicate no significant loss in strength properties either at temperature or after thermal shock when compared with the strength data for composites in the as-fabricated condition.

Bhatt, R. T.↗

Bend stress relaxation and tensile primary creep of a polycrystalline alpha-SiC fiber

Understanding the thermomechanical behavior (creep and stress relaxation) of ceramic fibers is of both practical and basic interest. On the practical level, ceramic fibers are the reinforcement for ceramic matrix composites which are being developed for use in high temperature applications. It is important to understand and model the total creep of fibers at low strain levels where creep is predominantly in the primary stage. In addition, there are many applications where the component will only be subjected to thermal strains. Therefore, the stress relaxation of composite consituents in such circumstances will be an important factor in composite design and performance. The objective of this paper is to compare and analyze bend stress relaxation and tensile creep data for alpha-SiC fibers produced by the Carborundum Co. (Niagara Falls, NY). This fiber is of current technical interest and is similar in composition to bulk alpha-SiC which has been studied under compressive creep conditions. The temperature, time, and stress dependences will be discussed for the stress relaxation and creep results. In addition, some creep and relaxation recovery experiments were performed in order to understand the complete viscoelastic behavior, i.e. both recoverable and nonrecoverable creep components of these materials. The data will be presented in order to model the deformation behavior and compare relaxation and/or creep behavior for relatively low deformation strain conditions of practical concern. Where applicable, the tensile creep results will be compared to bend stress relaxation data.

Hee Man, Yun↗

Chemical compatibility issues related to use of copper as an interfacial layer for SiC fiber reinforced Ti3Ai+Nb composite

The reaction of Cu, a potential interfacial compliant layer for the Ti3Al plus Nb/SiC composite, with SiC, SCS-6 fiber, and the Ti3Al plus Nb matrix was examined at two temperatures: 1223 and 1273 K. Reaction of Cu with SiC resulted in the formation of a CuSi solution and free carbon, the reaction product being molten at 1273 K. Hot pressing the SCS-6 fiber in a Cu matrix at 1273 K resulted in cracking and delamination of the outer carbon-rich coating, thus allowing the Cu to penetrate to the SiC-carbon coating interface and react with SiC. In contrast, no such damage to the outer coating was observed at 1223 K. There was excessive reaction between Cu and the Ti3Al plus Nb matrix, the reaction product being molten both at 1223 and 1273 K. An interlayer of Nb between Cu and Ti3Al plus Nb matrix prevented the reaction between the two.

Misra, Ajay K.↗

Polycrystalline SiC fibers from organosilicon polymers

Various organosilicon polymers have been converted into small diameter, fine-grained silicon carbide fibers by melt spinning, crosslinking, and pyrolyzing to greater than 1600 C. The high pyrolysis temperature densifies the fiber and causes CO evolution which removes nearly all oxygen. An additive prevents the loss of strength normally associated with such treatments. Silicon carbide fibres with up to 2.6 GPa (380 ksi) tensile strength, greater than 420 GPa (greater than 60 Msi) elastic modulus, and 3.1-3.2 mg/cu m density have been prepared via this process. Their microstructure consists of greater than 95 wt pct B-SiC crystallites averaging 30-40 nm diameter, with varying amounts of graphitic carbon between the SiC grains. Under inert conditions, the fibers can be thermally aged at least 12 h/1800 C with minimal change in properties.

Lipowitz, Jonathan↗

Design Curve Generation for 3D SiC Fiber Architecture

The design tool provides design curves that allow a simple and quick way to examine multiple factors that can influence the processing and key properties of the preforms and their final SiC-reinforced ceramic composites without over obligating financial capital for the fabricating of materials. Tool predictions for process and fiber fraction properties have been validated for a HNS 3D preform.The virtualization aspect of the tool will be used to provide a quick generation of solid models with actual fiber paths for finite element evaluation to predict mechanical and thermal properties of proposed composites as well as mechanical displacement behavior due to creep and stress relaxation to study load sharing characteristic between constitutes for better performance.Tool predictions for the fiber controlled properties of the SiCSiC CMC fabricated from the HNS preforms will be valuated and up-graded from the measurements on these CMC

matrix materials↗

Microstructural and strength stability of CVD SiC fibers in argon environment

The room temperature tensile strength and microstructure of three types of commercially available chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide fibers were measured after 1, 10, and 100 hour heat treatments under argon pressures of 0.1 to 310 MPa at temperatures to 2100 C. Two types of fiber had carbon-rich surface coatings and the other contained no coating. All three fiber types showed strength degradation beyond 1400 C. Time and temperature of exposure had greater influence on strength degradation than argon pressure. Recrystallization and growth of near stoichiometric SiC grains appears to be the dominant mechanism for the strength degradation.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Microstructural and strength stability of CVD SiC fibers in argon environments

The room temperature tensile strength and microstructure of three types of commercially available chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide fibers were measured after 1, 10, and 100 hour heat treatments under argon pressures of 0.1 to 310 MPa at temperatures to 2100 C. Two types of fiber had carbon-rich surface coatings and the other contained no coating. All three fiber types showed strength degradation beyond 1400 C. Time and temperature of exposure had greater influence on strength degradation than argon pressure. Recrystallization and growth of near stoichiometric SiC grains appears to be the dominant mechanism for the strength degradation.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

Role of the interfacial thermal barrier in the effective thermal diffusivity/conductivity of SiC-fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride

Experimental thermal diffusivity data transverse to the fiber direction for composites composed of a reaction bonded silicon nitride matrix reinforced with uniaxially aligned carbon-coated silicon carbide fibers indicate the existence of a significant thermal barrier at the matrix-fiber interface. Calculations of the interfacial thermal conductances indicate that at 300 C and 1-atm N2, more than 90 percent of the heat conduction across the interface occurs by gaseous conduction. Good agreement is obtained between thermal conductance values for the oxidized composite at 1 atm calculated from the thermal conductivity of the N2 gas and those inferred from the data for the effective composite thermal conductivity.

Bhatt, Hemanshu↗

Interfacial reaction kinetics of coated SiC fibers with various titanium alloys

The kinetics of the reaction between the silicon carbide fibers and the titanium-based alloy matrix was investigated at temperatures from 800 to 1000 C for several titanium-based alloys (including Ti-1100 alloy and BETA 21S) and unalloyed Ti, reinforced with coated silicon carbide fiber SCS-6. The reaction zone growth kinetics was studied by exposing vacuum encapsulated samples to temperatures from 700 to 1000 C for times up to 150 hrs, followed by SAM observations of samples which were polished perpendicular to the fiber axis and etched. It was found that the reaction zone growth kinetics of the alpha (hcp) and beta (bcc) phases of unalloyed titanium reacting with SCS-6 fibers exhibited different values of the apparent activation energy and of the preexponential factor. Additions of other metals to Ti was found to slow down the reaction kinetics. Among the alloys studied, the Ti-1100 was the slowest reacting conventional alloy and the Ti-14Al-21Nb (in wt pct) was the slowest overall.

Gundel, D. B.↗