Microstructural evolution of polymer derived SiC ceramics and SiC/SiC composite under 1.8MeV electron irradiation

Continuous silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites (SiC/SiC) are promising candidate materials for nuclear applications. Herein, SiC ceramics and SiC/SiC composite were prepared by a polymer deriving method, and irradiated using a 1.8 MeV electron beam. The microstructural evolution and radioluminescence performance were investigated, and the results showed that the SiC ceramics and the SiC/SiC composite all exhibited evident amorphization after the electron irradiation. In addition, the radioluminescence intensity of the SiC ceramics and the SiC/SiC composite was too low owing to the self-absorption of the free carbon in the polymer derived SiC ceramics.