MICROWAVE ABSORBENT - PREPARATION, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES AND RF-MICROWAVE CONDUCTIVITY OF SIC (AND OR MULLITE) FIBER-REINFORCED NASICON MATRIX COMPOSITES/

The electrical and mechanical properties of composites made with Nical on(R) NLM202 SiC (and Nextel(R) 440) woven fibres in a sol-gel prepare d Nasicon matrix are reported. Local microhardness, interfacial shear stress and three point flexural strength have been determined and corr elated to the conclusion of an X-ray microanalysis of the fibre-matrix interphases. The radio frequency (r.f.) to microwave conductivity of the composites has been measured and compared with that of their const ituents (Nasicon matrix, SiC fibre) and with the direct current (d.c.) conductivity of extracted fibres.