Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) based on silicon carbide (SiC) are promising materials for applications as structural components used under high irradiation flux and high temperature conditions. The addition of SiC fibers (SiCf) may improve both the physical and mechanical properties of CMCs and lead to an increase in their tolerance to failure. This work describes the fabrication and characterization of novel preceramic paper-derived SiCf/SiCp composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The sintering temperature and pressure were 2100 °C and 20–60 MPa, respectively. The content of fibers in the composites was approx. 10 wt.%. The matrix densification and fiber distribution were examined by X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Short processing time avoided the destruction of SiC fibers during SPS. The flexural strength of the fabricated SiCf/SiCp composites at room temperature varies between 300 and 430 MPa depending on the processing parameters and microstructure of the fabricated composites. A quasi-ductile fracture behavior of the fabricated composites was observed.

Novel paper‐derived Ti3SiC2‐based ceramics are fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). A Ti3SiC2‐loaded preceramic article is used as feedstock. The sintering temperature and pressure are 1100–1200 °C and 20–50 MPa, respectively. The influence of sintering parameters on phase composition and microstructure is analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. In addition, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy is conducted to analyze the distribution of elements and the phase arrangement depending on the sintering temperature. XRD analysis of the composites sintered at 1100 and 1200 °C shows the presence of Ti3SiC2, TiC, and TiSi2 phases while the content of Ti3SiC2 phase decreases with increasing temperature. It is shown that an increase in both temperature and pressure lead to higher densification of the composites. Elongated pores are observed in the composites, which are formed as a result of cellulose fiber decomposition during the sintering process. The maximal value of the flexural strength of 300 MPa is measured for the composite with the highest density. The influence of SPS parameters on the formation of phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the paper‐derived Ti3SiC2‐based ceramics is discussed.

This paper is devoted to proposing a new approach to the synthesis of SiC- and Ti3SiC2-based ceramics by using of preceramic paper as a feedstock. A preceramic paper with SiC and Ti3SiC2 powder fillers were sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method for holding time 10 minutes under pressure 20-100 MPa. The temperature for the sintering of SiC- and Ti3SiC2-filled paper was 2073-2373 K and 1373-1473 K respectively. The influence of sintering parameters on the materials microstructure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed that with an increase in pressure from 20 to 100 MPa, the microstructure of the materials becomes denser. It agrees with the results of measuring the density of the sintering materials by the hydrostatic weighting. The determination of Young`s modulus by the acoustic method demonstrates that with the increase of the applied pressure during SPS, Young’s modulus of the synthesized SiC- and Ti3SiC2-ceramics increase.

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This paper is devoted to fabrication of Ti3SiC2-based ceramic materials from preceramic paper using spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The synthesis temperature and pressure were 1373-1473 K and 30 MPa, respectively. The phase composition, microstructure and elemental composition were analysed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The effect of temperature on the sintering process as well as on the phase and microstructure of the sintered materials was investigated.