Polymer derived ceramics reinforced with Ti3SiC2 coated SiC fibers: A feasibility study

Owing to the remarkable mechanical and thermal properties of MAX-phases, Ti3SiC2 was explored as an interlayer material for fiber-reinforced ceramic composites. Electrophoretic deposition was applied to prepare Ti3SiC2 coatings on SiC monofilaments with coating thickness ranging from 400nm to 400µm. High deposition rate and suspension stability were achieved using a polyelectrolyte dispersant. The dispersant amount was optimized by zeta potential and viscosity measurements. The coated SiC fibers were incorporated by uniaxial warm-pressing in a FeSiCr/SiC-loaded polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMS) matrix. After pyrolysis at 1200°C in Argon a dense material was obtained.