Single‐Crystal SiC Nanowires with a Thin Carbon Coating for Stronger and Tougher Ceramic Composites

SiC nanowires (NWs) reinforce SiC matrix composites with high efficiency. With the incorporation of ∼ 6 vol.-% randomly oriented single-crystal SiC NWs in the matrices, the fracture toughnesses and flexural strengths of the composites doubled. The composites (see Figure) were fabricated in situ by a new process based on chemical vapor infiltration. Reinforcement efficiency of the NW is affected by the amount of C deposited on the NWs as the NW/matrix interfacial layer.