Non-destructive mechanical characterization of (nano-sized) ceramic fibers

SiC and C fibres are produced from polymeric precursor. This synthesis route leads to a nano-sized materials with very smooth surface, the lack of defects explaining tensile strengths as high as 3 GPa. A high correlation is expected between short-range-ordering, nanostructure and macroscopic properties, like in any nano-sized ceramic issued from liquid routes (sol-gel, polymer precursors). The paper provides a comprehensive study on Raman spectroscopy versatility as a fast and non-destructive tool for the study of ceramic fibres nano/micro-structures and the prediction of their mechanical properties. We show how the results of very simple spectra fitting are correlated with E and sigma (r) in NLM, Hi, Hi-S, SA, SCS-6 and Sylramic (trademarks) SiC fibres. The reason why such a correlation exists, the common dependency of Raman signal and mechanical behaviour to the nano/microstructure of ceramics, is discussed.