CREEP-BEHAVIOR OF SIC FIBER-REINFORCED HOT-PRESSED SI3N4 COMPOSITES

The creep response of SiC fiber-reinforced Si3N4 composites has been measured using four-point flexural loading at temperatures of 1200-1450-degrees-C and stress levels ranging from 250 to 350 MPa. Parameters characterizing the stress and temperature dependence of flexural creep strain rates were determined. A numerical analysis was also performed to estimate the power-law creep parameters for tensile and compressive creep from the bend test data. The incorporation of SiC fiber into Si3N4 resulted in substantial improvements in creep resistance even at very high stresses. The steady-state creep deformation mechanism, determined to be subcritical crack growth in the unreinforced matrix, changed to a mechanism in the composites of repeated matrix stress relaxation-fiber rupture-load dispersion by the matrix. Multiple fiber fracture rather than multiple matrix cracking resulted. The tertiary creep in the composite resulted from the rapid growth of the microcracks which initiated from the fiber rupture sites. Fiber strength, matrix cracking stress and interfacial shear strength have been identified as the key microstructural parameters controlling the creep behavior of the composite.