The effect of W-core/SiC reaction on the strength of SiC fibers in SiC/Ti-alloy composites

摘要

Silicon carbide monofilaments manufactured by chemical vapor deposition are the primary reinforcement in titanium-alloy matrix composites. In this study, W-core/SiC fibers were consolidated in a Ti-22Al-23Nb (atomic percent ) matrix. Samples ofthis composite were then subjected to heat-treatments in an inert environment which ranged in temperature from 800 to 1000°C and duration from 25 to 225 hours. The fibers were chemically extracted from the matrix and tensile tested to measure theirstrength. The rate of the W-core/SiC reaction was measured and compared to that reported in previous research, and the effect of the reaction products on the fiber strength distribution was characterized to determine the limits of exposure to which suchfibers may be subjected.