High-Temperature Properties and Applications of Si-Based Polymer-Derived Ceramics: A Review

Ceramics derived from organic polymer precursors, which have exceptional mechanical and chemical properties that are stable up to temperatures slightly below 2000 °C, are referred to as polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs). These molecularly designed amorphous ceramics have the same high mechanical and chemical properties as conventional powder-based ceramics, but they also demonstrate improved oxidation resistance and creep resistance and low pyrolysis temperature. Since the early 1970s, PDCs have attracted widespread attention due to their unique microstructures, and the benefits of polymeric precursors for advanced manufacturing techniques. Depending on various doping elements, molecular configurations, and microstructures, PDCs may also be beneficial for electrochemical applications at elevated temperatures that exceed the applicability of other materials. However, the microstructural evolution, or the conversion, segregation, and decomposition of amorphous nanodomain structures, decreases the reliability of PDC products at temperatures above 1400 °C. This review investigates structure-related properties of PDC products at elevated temperatures close to or higher than 1000 °C, including manufacturing production, and challenges of high-temperature PDCs. Analysis and future outlook of high-temperature structural and electrical applications, such as fibers, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs), and sensors, within high-temperature regimes are also discussed.