Development of a high temperature Cf/XSi2–SiC (X = Mo, Ti) composite via reactive melt infiltration

A Cf/(Mo, Ti) Si2–SiC composite has been developed using the melt infiltration technique. Two types of carbon fiber preforms were infiltrated with an alloyed melt of Si, Ti and MoSi2. In order to prevent the melt from reacting heavily with the fibers and keep the reinforcing effect of the preforms, the melting point of this alloy should be lower than 1600 °C. An induction tube furnace was used to infiltrate the carbon preforms. The carbon preform was mechanically driven into the melt and kept there for 10–15 min. The infiltrated samples were studied using XRD and SEM. Silicon free composites could be obtained using this technique. SiC was the major phase of the matrix. MoSi2 and solid solutions of Si, Mo and Ti could be found in the matrix.