PROCESS FOR DEPOSITING A SILICON CARBIDE COATING ON A FILAMENT

Abstract: A process for depositing a silicon carbide coating on a filament (1), which comprises heating the filament (1) in a deposition chamber (3) containing a gaseous atmosphere which on contact with the hot filament (1) deposits a coating of silicon carbide; characterised in that the atmosphere in the deposition chamber (3) includes a minor amount of carbon dioxide.

Description: The present invention relates to a process for depositing a silicon carbide coating on a filament. It is well known to deposit a silicon carbide coating on a filament using chemical vapour deposition techniques. In a typical process, a filament is passed continuously through a deposition chamber. The filament is heated by passage of an electric current, and the silicon carbide coating is deposited from carbon and silicon containing gases in the deposition chamber. Such processes are described in for example US 4127659 and US 3622369. We have now found that an improved product can be obtained by including a minor amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the deposition chamber. Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for depositing a silicon carbide coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament in a deposition chamber containing a gaseous atmosphere which on contact with the hot filament deposits a coating of silicon carbide; characterized in that the atmosphere in the deposition chamber includes less than 2% by volume of carbon dioxide. The atmosphere in the deposition chamber preferably contains less than 1% by volume of carbon dioxide. Preferably the atmosphere contains at least 0.05%, preferably at least 0.1%, by volume of carbon dioxide. The atmosphere in the deposition chamber may contain any of the gases known for production of coatings of silicon carbide. Typical gases include haloalkylsilanes, such as methyltrichlorosilane, methyldichlorosilane or dimethyldichlorosilane, together with hydrogen. A mixture of different haloalkylsilanes and hydrogen may be used. Silicon tetrachloride or monosilane together with a hydrocarbon, for example methane, and hydrogen, may be used. Careful control of the atmosphere is important to ensure a high quality product; in particular, leakage of air into the atmosphere in the deposition chamber is to be avoided. It should be understood that the carbon dioxide present has not been introduced in the form of air. The silicon carbide may be deposited on any suitable filament, for example a tungsten or carbon filament. It may be deposited as a further coating on a filament already coated with ceramic, for example boron. Depending upon the intended use, one or more further coatings, for example boron or a boron compound, may be deposited on top of the silicon carbide. Depending on the precise composition of the atmosphere used in the deposition chamber, the silicon carbide deposited may be stoichiometric, silicon-rich or carbon-rich. The composition may vary throughout the thickness of the coating. The microstructure of the coating may also vary. Methods of depositing various such coatings are described in, for example, US 4068037, US 4315968, US 4340636, US 4415609, US 4628002 and US 4702960. In order to promote efficient deposition, the filament is preferably heated to a temperature in the range of from 700 to 1600°C, preferably 900 to 1100°C. Any suitable form of heating may be used, but preferably the filament is heated resistively by passage of an electric current. The current is most conveniently transmitted by electrodes containing a pool of mercury or mercury amalgam through which the filament passes. Any electrode through which the filament passes after deposition of the silicon carbide preferably contains a mercury/indium amalgam rather than pure mercury. This amalgam preferably contains from 0.5 to 8%, especially 1 to 6%, by weight of indium. If desired, the process according to the invention may incorporate one or more cleaning steps. The filament may be passed prior to coating through one or more cleaning zones, containing an inert or reducing atmosphere, and heated to remove surface impurities. The products prepared by the process of the invention are of high quality. In particular, the presence of carbon dioxide in the gaseous atmosphere leads to a product with improved tensile stength. The process of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, Figure 1, which shows an apparatus which may be used to carry out the invention. A filament 1, for example tungsten, is fed from a supply 2 via a tube 3 to a store 4. The filament 1 passes through electrodes 5 and 6 at the ends of the tube 3, electrode 5 containing mercury, and electrode 6 containing mercury/indium amalgam. The electrodes 5 and 6 form part of an electric circuit (not shown) which supplies an electric heating current to the filament 1. Gases which on contact with the hot filament deposit a coating of silicon carbide, are fed into the tube 2 via inlet 7, and removed via outlet 8. The gases fed though inlet 7 include a minor amount of carbon dioxide.

Claims: A process for depositing a silicon carbide coating on a filament (1), which comprises heating the filament (1) in a deposition chamber (3) containing a gaseous atmosphere which on contact with the hot filament deposits a coating of silicon carbide; characterised in that the atmosphere in the deposition chamber (3) includes less than 2% by volume of carbon dioxide. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the atmosphere in the deposition chamber (3) contains at least 0.05% by volume of carbon dioxide. A process as claimed in claims 1 or claim 2, in which silicon carbide is deposited on a tungsten or carbon filament (1). A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the gaseous atmosphere in the deposition chamber (3) comprises a haloalkylsilane or mixture of haloalkylsilanes together with hydrogen.

Inventors: GRUBER, PHILIP
Applicants: THE BRITISH PETROLEUM COMPANY P.L.C.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C23C16
IPC codes: D06M11, D01F11, C23C16