High-Temperature Fatigue Degradation Behaviors of a 3D Braided C/SiC with a Thin Interlayer in Different Dry Oxygen Atmospheres.

In order to evaluate the increase in the flexural strength of a 3D braided C/SiC composite comprised with a thin pyrolytic carbon (PyC) interlayer (TI C/SiC) under a load of 60 MPa with an amplitude of ±20 MPa at an oxygen partial pressure of 8000 Pa, the effect of temperature, oxidation and stress value on the length change in the sample, fracture behavior, residual flexural strength and fracture morphology were studied up to 1500 °C. It was found that the gauge length change behaviors of the material are related to (i) the positive damage of the thin interlayer and (ii) to the negative damage of the C phase. The most serious damage of TI C/SiC under 60 ± 20 MPa occurs in an oxygen partial pressure of 17,000 Pa at 1300 °C. When the oxygen partial pressure and/or the temperature are reduced, the positive C phase damage is relieved. In the case that the oxygen partial pressure, temperature and stress increase, the negative C phase damage is facilitated. The oxidation mechanism of the C phase is controlled by the inward diffusion of oxygen from the sample surface to the center; however, a higher stress is considered to change the oxygen diffusion mechanism by increasing the reaction of the C phase, with oxygen causing a widening of microcracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]