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Developments in Ceramic Materials Research

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Model<strong>in</strong>g of Thermal Transport <strong>in</strong> <strong>Ceramic</strong>s Matrix Composites 183<br />

3.2.1. Inter-Fibre Micro-Porosity (Class A)<br />

This type of porosity occurs between adjacent fibres conta<strong>in</strong>ed with<strong>in</strong> a tow. It comprises<br />

either of a series of voids or large cracks between the fibres. These can be seen with<strong>in</strong> as<br />

black dots A1 or cracks parallel to fibre tows A2 <strong>in</strong> Figures 8(a)-(c) and schematically<br />

represented <strong>in</strong> Figure 7.<br />

These two k<strong>in</strong>ds of porosity are ma<strong>in</strong>ly generated by the manufactur<strong>in</strong>g process. The<br />

spheroidal pores, shown <strong>in</strong> Figure 8(b), are the result of <strong>in</strong>complete <strong>in</strong>filtration due to<br />

shr<strong>in</strong>kage from the process<strong>in</strong>g temperature which is around 1550°C for molten silicon<br />

impregnation. The shr<strong>in</strong>kage de-bond<strong>in</strong>g is due to different thermal contractions of the fibre<br />

and the matrix dur<strong>in</strong>g cool<strong>in</strong>g. This generates thermal stresses across the <strong>in</strong>terface, which <strong>in</strong><br />

turn causes <strong>in</strong>terface de-bond<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

a b<br />

c<br />

Figure 8(a)-(c). Three different images of orthogonal planes obta<strong>in</strong>ed us<strong>in</strong>g optical microscopy. (a)<br />

Plane normal to lam<strong>in</strong>ate and the Z axis, (b) plane normal to X axis, and (c) plane normal to Y axis. The<br />

locations of four different classes of porosity (A, B, C, D) are <strong>in</strong>dicated.<br />

3.2.2. Trans-Tow Cracks (Class B Porosity)<br />

This class of porosity may be observed as cracks B <strong>in</strong> Figure 8(a)-(c). The porosity is<br />

comprised of cracks, which run through the tows <strong>in</strong> planes parallel to the fibres. They occur <strong>in</strong><br />

planes which are orthogonal to X, Y and Z directions. Porosity classes A and B are also<br />

shown schematically <strong>in</strong> Figure 7. Cracks of this type are formed dur<strong>in</strong>g manufacture as a<br />

consequence of differential cool<strong>in</strong>g, coupled with the different mechanical/thermal properties<br />

<strong>in</strong> adjacent orthogonal tows.

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