Preparation and characterization of continuous high-temperature resistant Si-Al-C fibers by one-step method

Using polymer-derived technology, continuous high-temperature resistant Si-Al-C fibers were prepared by one step method, which included melt-spinning of polyaluminocarbosilane (PACS), curing of continuous PACS fibers, and sintering of the cured products. The results show that the average diameter and tensile strength of continuous Si-Al-C fibers are 11 to 12 μm and 1.8 to 2.0 GPa, respectively. The chemical formula of Si-Al-C fibers is SiC1.01O0.0400Al0.024, which is nearly stoichometric. The fibers are mainly composed of β-SiC crystalline, small amount of α-SiC, and amorphous SiC. Continuous Si-Al-C fibers exhibit excellent thermal stability. When the fibers were exposed in argon for 1 h, the tensile strength did not decrease until 1500°C. After heat treatment at 1800°C in argon for 1 h, the fibers maintained about 80% of the initial strength. It was higher than that of Nicalon and Hi-Nicalon fibers.