Abstract
Silicon and carbon based glasses and ceramics as matrixes for fiber reinforced composites are getting more attention since with silicon there is wider choice of making ternary and multielement glasses and ceramics using solution processing routes. One can also investigate the fiber/matrix interactions at various stages of processing which is the controlling factor for fracture behaviour and mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites. Present studies were performed to develop ceramic alloys constituting Zr, C, Si, O and nitrogen through sol-gel route and their application as matrixes in small diameter silicon carbide fiber reinforced composites. These composites exhibit low and well distributed pores, improved flexural strength and mixed mode fracture. Coatings for glass fibers have also been developed using Sol-gel route. Coated Glass fibers exhibit retention of strength at temperature upto 500°C whereas uncoated fibers exhibited drastic decrease in strength after heating at 300°C. Detailed results will be presented.
