Continuous carbon fiber reinforced ZrB2-SiC composites fabricated by direct ink writing combined with low-temperature hot-pressing

As one of additive manufacturing techniques, direct ink writing has significant advantages in the manufacture of ceramic matrix composites , nevertheless, the poor impregnability of ceramic slurry makes it difficult to fill the interior of fiber bundles, causing poor mechanical properties . Here, ultrasound-assisted fiber separation technique was introduced to impregnate ceramic slurry with a continuous carbon fiber bundle during direct ink writing of continuous carbon fiber/ceramic green body and subsequent low temperature hot-pressing was combined to improve its robustness. Suitable thickness of carbon coating could bring to high fracture resistance, whereas excessively thick carbon coating will adversely affect the mechanical properties. A carbon interface with thickness around 110 nm was incorporated, the flexural strength , fracture toughness and work of fracture of C f /ZrB 2 -SiC composite reached 388.3 MPa, 10.04 MPa·m 1/2 and 2380 J/m 2 , respectively. Therefore, direct ink writing combined with low temperature hot-pressing, was effective to fabricate high-performance ceramic matrix composites.