Daniel Ralph Petrak

Polymer derived ceramic matrix composites

Abstract Preceramic polymers offer a unique method to fabricate ceramic matrix composites (CMC). Relatively large and complex shapes were fabricated using a polysilazane polymer and silicon carbide based reinforcements of CG Nicalon™ and HI-nicalon™ fibers. This paper summarizes a raw material system and the fabrication process used to prepare two-dimensional cloth reinforced composites. Typical tensile, shear and compressive properties of CMCs prepared with the two types of reinforcements are presented. Although CG Nicalon reinforced composites exhibit good mechanical stability at moderate stress levels at 1100°C, HI-Nicalon reinforced composites show improved creep behavior at 1200°C.