Five different types of SiC fibre produced by chemical vapour depositi
on were analysed using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), scanning ele
ctron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray (WDX) analysis. Fibres studied includ
e SCS0, SCS6, Sigma SM1240 and two types of SIC fibres denoted SAM1 an
d SAM2, produced in the Commonwealth of independent States (Ukraine, f
ormer USSR). Fibres were fractured in situ in the Auger spectrometer.
For each fibre, the oxygen, carbon and silicon yields were measured an
d qualitative assessment of oxygen was performed. Results suggest that
the SCS0 fibre contains less oxygen than other SIC fibres. It was rev
ealed that the SAM1 fibre (120 mu m diameter) has a duplex SiC and car
bon coating deposited over a 20 mu m tungsten core prior to the main S
IC deposition, to decouple mechanically the tungsten core from the mai
n SiC deposition.