Abstract
Reactivities of PAN and Pitch carbon fibers in hot-pressed carbon fiber reinforced SiC composite have been investigated. In the case of both fiber types a diffusion of Si into the center of the fibers which took place during the sintering process was observed. However, the concentration of Si in the Pitch fibers was lower than in PAN fibers, which changed shape during hot-pressing process of the SiC-C fiber composite. Cracks propagated along fiber/matrix interfaces in SiC-Pitch carbon fiber composite, and fibers were pulled out at the fracture surface. In the case of PAN fiber reinforced composites, cracks propagated across the fibers. The results indicated that Pitch fibers seem to be much more suitable for SiC-C composite compared to PAN fibers.
