Wetting of Silicon Carbide Surfaces by MgO-Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 Glasses

Abstract

Recent advances in polymer and metal matrix composites have elevated them to the status of practical engineering materials.1,2 These advances have also prompted intensive research efforts to develop advanced ceramic fiber/ceramic matrix composites for high temperature applications.3 To fully realize their potential in these applications, reliable and practical joining techniques must be developed that will permit the use of ceramic/ceramic composites as complex or integrated components in engineering designs. Glasses in the MgO-Li3O-Al2O3SiO3 system are candidate materials to join SiC fiber-reinforced SiC composites.4 Processing temperatures less than 1200°C are a requirement of the joining process since degradation of the composite properties has been reported after exposure to temperatures in excess of 1200°C.5 The objective of this paper is to examine the wetting characteristics of three MgO- Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses in contact with SiC surfaces at temperatures less than 1200°C.