Laminated C-SiC matrix composites produced by CVI

A new type of composite, which consists of a reinforcement phase plus a matrix composed of many alternate thin layers of two different materials, has been prepared. CVI appears to be an appropriate process for the fabrication of this class of materials. We have successfully fabricated such a composite using the forced flow-thermal gradient CVI process. A carbon fibrous preform was infiltrated with alternate layers of C and SIC having thicknesses of 0.01 to 0.5 mu m. For a fixed cycle time, layer thicknesses increased with distance from the fiber surface. Crack deflection patterns indicate that the laminated matrix may contribute to mechanical toughness.