A new process for Al2O3/SiC nanocomposites by polycarbosilane infiltration

Conventional powder processing is commonly used to fabricate Al2O3/SiC nanocomposites. Recently a new processing route using SiC polymeric precursor such as polysilazane, polysilastyrene or polycarbosilane (PCS) has also been attempted, where a polymeric precursor solution is mixed with alumina powder. The present work investigated a new process to make the nanocomposites by modifying such a polymer precursor route. Unlike the existing process, the solution of a SiC polymer precursor was infiltrated into partially sintered (i.e. porous) alumina bodies, sintered at normal pressure. With PCS precursor, it was studied how the precursor solution concentration and sintering condition affected the SiC content, densification, phase and microstructure.