The production of aligned short fibre ceramic matrix composites using a twin rolling mill

摘要

A novel powder processing route for short fibre ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), based on using a twin rolling mill, has been developed. This has been seen to be an efficient and easy way of mixing the composite constituents while obtaining ahigh degree of fibre alignment. The production of the green composites by this method has taken an average of ten minutes. In this report a system of Nicalon fibres in silicon, subsequently reaction bonded to form a matrix of reaction bonded siliconnitride, has been emphasised. Composites with fibre loading of up to 34% fibre volume fraction have been produced, microscopically analysed, and mechanically tested.A novel way of introducing fibres into the ceramic matrix has removed the problems associated with chopping and handling the fibres. This technique will be developed so that prospective ceramic matrix composite can be efficiently produced in prototypequantities for linther appraisal of their properties.