Carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composites have the potential to be utilized in many high-temperature structural applications, particularly in aerospace. However, the susceptibility of the carbon fibers to oxidation has hindered the composite's use in long-term reusable applications. In order to identify the composites limitations, fundamental oxidation studies were conducted to determine the effects of such variables as temperature, environment, and stress. The systematic studies first looked at the oxidation of the plain, uncoated carbon fiber, then when fiber was utilized within a C/SiC composite, and finally when a stress was applied to the C/SiC composite (stressed oxidation). The first study, oxidation of just the carbon fibers, showed that the fiber oxidation kinetics occurs in two primary regimes: chemical reaction control and diffusion control. The second study, oxidation of the C/SiC composite, showed the self-protecting effects from the SiC matrix at elevated temperatures when the composite was not stressed. The final study, stressed oxidation of the C/SiC composite, more closely simulated application conditions in which the material is expected to encounter thermal and mechanical stresses. The applied load and temperature will affect the openings of the as-fabricated cracks, which are an unavoidable characteristic of C/SiC composites. The main objective of the paper was to determine the oxidation kinetic regimes for the oxidation of carbon fibers in a cracked silicon carbide matrix under stressed and unstressed conditions. The studies help to provide insights in to the protective approaches, that could be used to prevent oxidation of the fibers within the composite.

Oxidation Kinetics and Stress Effects for the Oxidation of Continuous Carbon Fibers within a Microcracked C/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composite

Cleavage of brittle single crystals is reviewed and the historical criteria for the phenomenon are critically examined. Previously proposed criteria, including those based on crystal structure (crystal growth planes, the planes bounding the unit cell, and planar atomic packing) and crystal properties (ionic charge of possible cleavage planes, bond density, elastic modulus, and surface free energy), are found to be applicable only to particular crystals or to isostructural groups, but each lacks universal application. It is concluded that the fracture toughness (K
Ic) of the crystallographic planes is the most appropriate criterion. Measurements reveal that the ‘cleavage toughnesses’ of brittle single crystals are usually about 1 MPa m1/2 or less. Measurements of the fracture toughnesses of brittle polycrystalline aggregates are then compared to the single crystal cleavage values in those instances where reliable results are available for the same crystal structures. Polycrystalline toughnesses are consistently higher, in part because of the lack of continuity of cleavage cracks through the polycrystalline aggregates. However, the increment of toughness increase is only 1–2 MPa m1/2. The role of grain texture or preferred crystal orientation is also addressed. It is concluded that polycrystalline aggregate toughnesses are often highly anisotropic and that the values for intensely oriented microstructures may approach those for single crystal cleavage.

Single crystal cleavage of brittle materials

The effect of microstructure on air oxidation resistance of nuclear graphite

Practical Aspects for Characterizing Air Oxidation of Graphite

J.L. Wood

Papers

Oxidation effects on toughness and slow crack growth in polycrystalline graphites

Subcritical crack growth in fine grained polycrystalline graphites

Oxidation effects on CTE and thermal shock fracture initiation in polycrystalline graphites

The effect of oxidation on the flexural strength of graphite