Additive manufacturing of Csf/SiC composites with high fiber content by direct ink writing and liquid silicon infiltration

Direct ink writing (DIW) provides a new route to produce SiC-based composites with complex structure. In this study, we additive manufactured short carbon fiber reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites (Csf/SiC composites) with different short carbon fiber content through direct ink writing combined with liquid silicon infiltration (LSI). The effects of short carbon fiber content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the DIW green parts and the final Csf/SiC composites were investigated. The results showed that the Csf content played an important role in maintaining the structure of the green parts. As the Csf content increases, the dimension deviation ratio of the sample decreased at all stages. With the Csf content of 40 vol%, the final Csf/SiC composite had low free Si content and high β-SiC content. The maximum density, tensile strength and bending strength of the Csf/SiC composites were 2.88 ± 0.06 g/cm³, 53.68 MPa and 253.63 MPa respectively. It is believed that this study can give some understanding for the additive manufacturing of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites.