MATRIX CHARACTERIZATION OF FIBER-REINFORCED SIC MATRIX COMPOSITES FABRICATED BY CHEMICAL-VAPOR INFILTRATION

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), that consist of silicon carbide (SIC ) reinforced with continuous Nicalon(TM) or T-300(R)-fibres, are being developed for many high-temperature structural applications. The larg e potential use of CMCs has prompted an in-depth investigation and cha racterization of these materials. Electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize and compare the SIC matrix crys tal structure and morphology of composite materials fabricated by two different chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) processes.