Patent ID: 6110527
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: C04B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for forming a fiber reinforced composite, the fibers being at least one of elemental carbon, or silicon carbide, in a matrix of silicon carbide containing at least a silicon carbide phase and elemental silicon phase formed by molten silicon infiltration comprising: depositing a continuous metal nitride coating on the fibers wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, or tantalum, the metal nitride coating preventing reaction between the reinforcement fiber and molten silicon;admixing a carbonaceous material with the coated fibers so that at least 5 volume percent of the mixture is the coated fibers;forming the mixture into a preform having an open porosity ranging from about 25 volume percent to about 90 volume percent of the preform;heating the preform in an inert atmosphere or partial vacuum; andinfiltrating the heated preform with molten silicon to form the silicon carbide matrix composite.