Effects of dry treatment condition on mechanical properties of carbon fiber ceramic composite using aluminum phosphate

Preparation of carbon fiber reinforced ceramic composite (CFRC) was tried by low temperature sintering, using a phosphate (ACP) mixture consisting mainly of aluminum phosphate as a matrix material, Carbon fiber (CF) strand (HP, 12 K) was used as a reinforcing material, Prepreg sheets of CF impregnated with ACP were dried at 80 degrees C. Laminated prepreg sheets were heated up to 200 degrees C in a hot press, and then heated in Nz at 500 degrees C to prepare the CFRC, In this study, the prepreg sheets were heated under continuously generated steam, and its effects on mechanical properties and structure of the CFRC were investigated, Consequently, mechanical properties of CFRC were improved by heat treatment in moist air, showing a bending strength of 516 MPa and a Young's modulus of 55 GPa. Observation on its side surface indicated that few voids were left in the CFRC, which leads to the improvement of adhesiveness between prepregs.