High-performance Cf/SiC composites with a novel needle-punched carbon fiber fabric fabricated by PIP process

A novel needle-punched carbon fiber fabric was applied to reinforce SiC-matrix composites via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process. The microstructure and physical properties of the as-prepared needle-punched carbon fiber fabric reinforced silicon carbide (needle-punched Cf/SiC) composites were investigated. The results indicated that the flexural strength and modulus of needle-punched Cf/SiC composites were 397.8 ± 24.0 MPa and 45.6 ± 2.7 GPa, and the compressive strength and modulus of the as-prepared composites were 492.1 ± 21.9 MPa and 83.3 ± 1.2 GPa, respectively. The as-prepared needle-punched Cf/SiC composites exhibited a non-catastrophic fracture behavior due to the presence of significant fiber pulled-out at the fracture. The microstructural investigations revealed that the fiber space distribution is more uniform, the pore size is smaller, and the matrix filling effect is better, which is the main reason for excellent physical properties of needle-punched Cf/SiC composites.