Interface structure analysis of SiC fibres reinforced SIC matrix composites by energy filtering TEM

Various criteria for environmental effects on microstructural evolution at interfaces of SiC fibres reinforced SiC matrix composites are proposed. Of interest is that degradation of the composite is observed after annealing a t 1500 degrees C under ultra high purity Ar flow. However, there are few da ta of nanostructure analyses at interfaces of SiC/SiC composites. In this w ork, the environmental effects of microstructural evolution in SiC/SiC comp osites are examined by a field emission type high-resolution electron micro scopy (I;E-HRTEM) and a parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS). The elemental distribution in SiC fibres reinforced SiC matrix composites has been investigated by elemental mapping using an energy filtering TEM. A possible mechanism for this degradation is proposed and discussed.