Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of C/(ZrB2–SiC) Composites Produced from Ceramic Ribbons

We have studied the morphology, texture, and bending strength of Cf/(ZrB2–SiC) continuous carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic composite materials prepared by a new method based on infiltration of ceramic slurry into a carbon bundle and fabrication of unidirectional ceramic ribbons, followed by stacking, pyrolysis, and silicon melt infiltration of the ribbons. The rheological properties of the ceramic slurries have been investigated, and the slurry composition has been optimized from the viewpoint of infiltration ability. The results demonstrate that the use of premilled ZrB2 powder as a filler and organic resin as an organic binder leads to the formation of low-porosity composites. Replacing some of the milled ZrB2 powder by submicron SiC powder further reduces the porosity of the material.