Additive manufacturing of continuous carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite by fused filament fabrication and precursor infiltration pyrolysis

Continuous fiber reinforced silicon carbide composites (Cf/SiC) are known for their advantages such as high strength, high modulus, high thermal conductivity, and low density. In this paper, we propose an integrated Cf/SiC preparation and processing process. The continuous carbon fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite green parts were processed by fused filament fabrication, and then ceramicized by precursor infiltration pyrolysis process. The processing parameters of the green parts, the performance of the green-part specimens, the phase evolution in the post treatment, and the performance of Cf/SiC samples were investigated. The infill line distance (ILD) had a huge influence on the mechanical properties of green parts and Cf/SiC. The bending strength of the green parts and the Cf/SiC specimens increased with the decrease in ILD. The maximum bending strength of 169.48 MPa and 155.83 MPa was achieved for the carbon fiber/polyethylene terephthalate glycol (Cf/PETG) and polylactic acid (Cf/PLA) green parts, respectively. The highest bending strength of 47.73 MPa of the Cf/SiC material was obtained with the Cf/PLA green parts, while the bending strength of 93.79 MPa was obtained for the Cf/SiC with Cf/PETG green parts. The increase in mechanical properties was believed to result from the pyrolyzed carbon brought by PETG and the increase of the equivalent fiber density within the single layer after a larger nozzle size was used.
Chunze Yan serves as the Editorial Board Member of the journal, but did not in any way involve in the editorial and peer-review process conducted for this paper, directly or indirectly.
- Yoon DH, Reimanis IE, 2020, A review on the joining of SiC for high-temperature applications. J Korean Ceram Soc, 57: 246–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43207-020-00021-4
- Zhang NL, Yang JF, Deng YC, et al., 2019, Preparation and properties of reaction bonded silicon carbide (RB-SiC) ceramics with high SiC percentage by two-step sintering using compound carbon sources. Ceram Int, 45: 15715– 15719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.04.224
- Katoh Y, Ozawa K, Shih C, et al., 2014, Continuous SiC fiber, CVI SiC matrix composites for nuclear applications: Properties and irradiation effects. J Nucl Mater, 448: 448–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.06.040
- Chen X, Yin J, Liu X, et al., 2022, Effect of laser power on mechanical properties of SiC composites rapidly fabricated by selective laser sintering and direct liquid silicon infiltration. Ceram Int, 48: 19123–19131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.03.203
- Zhang H, Yang Y, Hu K, et al., 2020, Stereolithography-based additive manufacturing of lightweight and high-strength Cf/ SiC ceramics. Addit Manuf, 34: 101199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2020.101199
- Wu S, Yang L, Wang C, et al., 2022, Si/SiC ceramic lattices with a triply periodic minimal surface structure prepared by laser powder bed fusion. Addit Manuf, 56: 102910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2022.102910
- Idris MI, Konishi H, Imai M, et al., 2015, Neutron irradiation swelling of SiC and SiCf/SiC for advanced nuclear applications. Energy Procedia, 71: 328–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.886
- Zhao J, Shi L, Liu M, et al., 2022, Densification and enhancement of SiC particulate‐reinforced fine‐grain SiC ceramic. Int J Appl Ceram Technol, 19: 2514–2522. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.14112
- Han F, Zhong Z, Zhang F, et al., 2014, Preparation and characterization of SiC Whisker-reinforced SiC porous ceramics for hot gas filtration. Ind Eng Chem Res, 54: 226–232. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie503626u
- Lv X, Ye F, Cheng L, et al., 2019, Fabrication of SiC whisker-reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites based on 3D printing and chemical vapor infiltration technology. J Eur Ceram Soc, 39: 3380–3386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2019.04.043
- Song N, Zhang HB, Liu H, et al., 2017, Effects of SiC Whiskers on the mechanical properties and microstructure of SiC ceramics by reactive sintering. Ceram Int, 43: 6786– 6790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.02.095
- Han F, Zhong Z, Yang Y, et al., 2016, High gas permeability of SiC porous ceramics reinforced by mullite fibers. J Eur Ceram Soc, 36: 3909–3917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.06.048
- Chen R, Jin X, Hei D, et al., 2021, Enhanced mechanical strength of SiC reticulated porous ceramics via addition of in-situ chopped carbon fibers. J Alloys Compd, 888: 161638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.161638
- Li L, 2020, Temperature-dependent proportional limit stress of SiC/SiC fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites. High Temp Mater Processes, 39: 209–218. https://doi.org/10.1515/htmp-2020-0052
- Yin J, Lee SH, Feng L, et al., 2016, Fabrication of SiCf/ SiC composites by hybrid techniques of electrophoretic deposition and polymer impregnation and pyrolysis. Ceram Int, 42: 16431–16435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.07.177
- Park JS, Nishimura H, Hayasaka D, et al., 2016, Fabrication of short SiC fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites with high fiber volume fraction. Fusion Eng Des, 109–111: 1174–1178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.12.060
- Tang H, Zeng X, Xiong X, et al., 2009, Mechanical and tribological properties of short-fiber-reinforced SiC composites. Tribol Int, 42: 823–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2008.10.017
- Lu J, Ni D, Liao C, et al., 2021, Fabrication and microstructure evolution of Csf/ZrB2-SiC composites via direct ink writing and reactive melt infiltration. J Adv Ceram, 10: 1371–1380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-021-0512-z
- Zhou W, Meiser M, Wich F, et al., 2021, Fiber orientation dependence of tribological behavior of short carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. J Am Ceram Soc, 105: 538–552. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.18075
- Sun G, Zhang C, Zhang Q, et al., 2022, Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC composite prepared by chemical vapor infiltration. Ceram Int, 48: 36983–36991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.08.267
- Zhang J, Luo R, Zhang Y, et al., 2010, Effect of isotropic interlayers on the mechanical and thermal properties of carbon/carbon composites. Mater Lett, 64: 1536–1538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2010.04.013
- Zhou Q, Dong S, Ding Y, et al., 2009, Three-dimensional carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites by vapor silicon infiltration. Ceram Int, 35: 2161–2169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2008.11.023
- Chen Z, Sun X, Shang Y, et al., 2021, Dense ceramics with complex shape fabricated by 3D printing: A review. J Adv Ceram, 10: 195–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-020-0444-z
- Zocca A, Lima P, Diener S, et al., 2019, Additive manufacturing of SiSiC by layerwise slurry deposition and binder jetting (LSD-print). J Eur Ceram Soc, 39: 3527–3533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2019.05.009
- Wu S, Yang L, Yang X, et al., 2022, Mechanical properties and energy absorption of AlSi10Mg Gyroid lattice structures fabricated by selective laser melting. Smart Manuf, 1: 2150001–2150002. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2737549821500010
- Liu Z, Li Z, Wang Q, et al., 2022, Multimaterial additive manufacturing manipulator for fabricating magnetoelectric pressure sensors. Sci China Technol Sci, 65: 2542–2550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-022-2154-9
- Chen H, Wang X, Xue F, et al., 2018, 3D printing of SiC ceramic: Direct ink writing with a solution of preceramic polymers. J Eur Ceram Soc, 38: 5294–5300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2018.08.009
- Chen F, Liu K, Sun H, et al., 2018, Fabrication of complicated silicon carbide ceramic components using combined 3D printing with gelcasting. Ceram Int; 44: 254–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.09.166
- Yang L, Wu S, Yan C, et al., 2021, Fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V Gyroid graded lattice structures fabricated by laser powder bed fusion with lateral loading. Addit Manuf, 46: 102214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2021.102214
- Zhang K, Zeng T, Xu G, et al., 2020, Mechanical properties of SiCp/SiC composite lattice core sandwich panels fabricated by 3D printing combined with precursor impregnation and pyrolysis. Compos Struct, 240: 112060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112060
- Lu ZL, Lu F, Cao JW, et al., 2014, Manufacturing properties of turbine blades of carbon fiber-reinforced SiC composite based on stereolithography. Mater Manuf Process, 29: 201–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/10426914.2013.872269
- Zheng W, Wu JM, Chen S, et al., 2022, Improved mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced silica-based ceramic cores fabricated by stereolithography. J Mater Sci Technol, 116: 161–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.12.012
- Tang J, Chang H, Guo X, et al., 2022, Preparation of carbon fiber-reinforced SiC ceramics by stereolithography and secondary silicon infiltration. Ceram Int, 48: 25159–25167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.05.178
- Zhu W, Fu H, Xu Z, et al., 2018, Fabrication and characterization of carbon fiber reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites based on 3D printing technology. J Eur Ceram Soc; 38: 4604–4613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2018.06.022
- Fu H, Zhu W, Xu Z, et al., 2019, Effect of silicon addition on the microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties of Cf/SiC composite prepared via selective laser sintering. J Alloy Compd, 792: 1045–1053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.04.129
- Goh GD, Sing SL, Yeong WY, 2020, A review on machine learning in 3D printing: Applications, potential, and challenges. Artif Intell Rev, 54: 63–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-020-09876-9
- Gao H, An J, Chua CK, et al., 2023, 3D printed optics and photonics: Processes, materials and applications. Mater Today, 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2023.06.019
- Hou Z, Tian X, Zhang J, et al., 2018, 3D printed continuous fibre reinforced composite corrugated structure. Compos Struct, 184: 1005–1010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.10.080
- Chen P, Wang H, Su J, et al., 2022, Recent advances on high-performance polyaryletherketone materials for additive manufacturing. Adv Mater, 34: e2200750. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202200750
- Spece H, Yu T, Law AW, et al., 2020, 3D printed porous PEEK created via fused filament fabrication for osteoconductive orthopaedic surfaces. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 109: 103850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103850
- Yu T, Zhang Z, Song S, et al., 2019, Tensile and flexural behaviors of additively manufactured continuous carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Compos Struct, 225: 111147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.111147
- Goh GD, Toh W, Yap YL, et al., 2021, Additively manufactured continuous carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic for topology optimized unmanned aerial vehicle structures. Compos B Eng, 216: 108840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108840
- Zhang J, Zhou Z, Zhang F, et al., 2020, Performance of 3D-printed continuous-carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics with pressure. Materials, 13: 471. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13020471
- Mei H, Yan Y, Feng L, et al., 2018, First printing of continuous fibers into ceramics. J Am Ceram Soc, 102: 3244–3255. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.16234
- Wang L, Hou F, Wang X, et al., 2015, Preparation and mechanical properties of continuous carbon nanotube networks modified Cf/SiC composite. Adv Mater Sci Eng, 2015: 465358. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/465358
- Yin XW, Cheng LF, Zhang LT, et al., 2017, Fibre-reinforced multifunctional SiC matrix composite materials. Int Mater Rev, 62: 117–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/09506608.2016.1213939