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High-Temperature Creep Properties of SiC Fibers with Different Compositions

D. R. Patel, T. Koyanagi

Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 75 / Number 7 / October 2019 / Pages 636-641

Technical Paper / dx.doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2019.1647029

Received:July 11, 2018
Accepted:July 18, 2019
Published:October 7, 2019

Silicon carbide (SiC) fiber–reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composites have been widely investigated for potential fusion reactor applications. In this present investigation, the high-temperature creep performance of five types of SiC fibers is evaluated and microstructural analysis is performed. The creep behavior of the fibers was assessed by the bend stress relaxation method at various applied strains at 1500°C and 1700°C. The fibers tested include developmental-grade fibers with different residual silicon amounts (~0%, 2% to 3%, and 5% to 6%) fabricated by laser chemical vapor deposition at Free Form Fibers. Generally, the creep behavior of the Free Form (FF) fibers was similar to Hi-Nicalon Type S and/Tyranno-SA SiC fibers currently used for fabrication of SiC/SiC composites for fusion applications. However, all FF fibers exhibited the formation of pores after the creep tests at 1700°C regardless of residual silicon amount, which can be improved by further development via optimization of the composition and microstructure.