Fabrication of SiC Composites with Synergistic Toughening of Carbon Whisker and in Situ 3C-SiC Nanowire

The SiC composites with synergistic toughening of carbon whisker and in situ 3C-SiC nanowire have been fabricated by hot press sinter technology and annealed treatment technology. Effect of annealed time on the morphology of SiC nanowires and mechanical properties of the C_w/SiC composites was surveyed in detail. The appropriate annealed time improved mechanical properties of the C_w/SiC composites. The synergistic effect of carbon whisker and SiC nanowire can improve the fracture toughness for C_w/SiC composites. The vapor-liquid-solid growth (VLS) mechanism was proposed. TEM photo showed that 3C-SiC nanowire can be obtained with preferential growth plane ({111}), which corresponded to interplanar spacing about 0.25 nm.