Microstructure characterization of erosion resistant coatings on carbon-bonded carbon fibre composites

The microstructure of as received and surface treated carbon-bonded carbon fibre composites has been examined by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructure of the as received material consists of a bonded together layered carbon fiber network, identified as graphitic carbon (hexagonal close packed). To improve the erosion resistance of the carbon-bonded carbon fibre composites composite, the SiC and silicate glass-ceramic coatings from the system SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3)-Y(2)O(3) were produced on carbon-bonded carbon fibre composites composites by a low-cost slurry technique. Transmission electron microscopy investigations of cross-section thin foils allowed for detailed analysis of the coatings microstructure. It was found that the SiC coating was consisting mainly of a nanocrystalline SiC (fcc). The multilayered glass-ceramic coating showed a complex microstructure consisting of an external SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3)-Y(2)O(3) layer and an intermediate nanocrystalline SiC layer. The SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3)-Y(2)O(3) layer was composed of SiO(2) (fcc), Y(2)Si(2)O(7) (op) and Al(4.644)Si(1.357)O(9.68) (op).