Fabrication and characterization of 2.5D and 3D SiCf/SiC composites

SiCf/SiC composites are considered promising candidate materials for fusion applications. 2.5D and 3D KD-I SiC fiber fabrics were used as the reinforcement and SiCf/SiC composites were fabricated via polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) process and coated with chemical vapor deposited (CVD) SiC. The porosity, thermal conductivity and mechanical property of the composites were characterized. The results indicated that 2.5D and 3D SiCf/SiC composites fabricated via PIP process exhibited high porosity, and hence low thermal conductivity. After the CVD process, the density, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the composites were increased.