Title: Microstructure simulation in isothermal chemical vapour infiltration of SiC composites

Authors: Yaochan Zhu; Eckart Schnack; Gabriela Iancu

Addresses: Institute of Solid Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstrasse 12, Building 10.91 room 310, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany ' Institute of Solid Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstrasse 12, Building 10.91 room 310, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany ' Institute of Solid Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstrasse 12, Building 10.91 room 310, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract: In this study, a multiphase field model for isothermal chemical vapour infiltration (ICVI) process of SiC composites from methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) is developed. The model consists of a set of non-linear partial differential equations by coupling Ginzburg-Landau type phase field equations with convection diffusion type mass balance equations and Navier-Stokes equations for fluid flow. In order to incorporate the thermodynamics of the pyrolysis of MTS into phase field model framework, the reduced chemical reaction mechanism is adopted. The microstructure of preferential deposition of Si, SiC under high ratio of H₂ to MTS is simulated and the result is in good agreement with the investigation. The potential risk of blockage of the premature pores during ICVI process is predicted. The competitive growth mechanism of SiC grains is discussed.

Keywords: fibre-reinforced composites; multiphase field models; chemical vapour infiltration; CVI; silicon carbide; microstructure; simulation; SiC composites; methyltrichlorosilane; MTS; nonlinear PDEs; partial differential equations; convection diffusion; mass balance equations; Navier-Stokes equations; fluid flow; thermodynamics; pyrolysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJITM.2014.060303

International Journal of Information Technology and Management, 2014 Vol.13 No.2/3, pp.202 - 215

Received: 22 Nov 2012
Accepted: 03 Sep 2013
Published online: 10 May 2014 *

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