What Is A Ceramic Matrix Composite

Both the matrix and the fibers can consist of any ceramic material whereby carbon and carbon fibers can also be considered a ceramic material.

What is a ceramic matrix composite. Ceramic matrix composites unfortunately ceramics suffer from a susceptibility to brittle fracture and therefore have relatively low values of fracture toughness. Organic matrix ceramic aggregate composites include asphalt concrete polymer concrete mastic asphalt mastic roller hybrid dental composite syntactic foam and mother of pearl. Chobham armour is a special type of composite armour used in military applications. Ceramic matrix composites cmcs generally consist of ceramic fibers or whiskers in a ceramic matrix.

Product description applications form matrix color nominal cure temp max. Ceramic matrix composites cmcs may be processed via conventional layup and curing techniques while only requiring a free standing high temperature sinter cycle to prepare them for high temperature use. The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement transfers loads between fibers gives the composite component its net shape and determines its surface quality. A ceramic matrix composite cmc is a ceramic matrix coupled with embedded ceramic fibers.

Next generation ceramic matrix composites cmcs are being developed for future applications such as turbine blades top left these may use new technologies such as water like polymers that can be processed into 1700 c capable low density ceramics bottom or nanofibers grown onto silicon carbide sic reinforcing fibers for increased toughness top right. Ceramic matrix composites cmcs are a special type of composite material in which both the reinforcement refractory fibers and matrix material are ceramics. In some cases the same kind of ceramic is used for both parts of the structure and additional secondary fibers may also be included. They are referred to as inverse composites which is to say that the failure strain of the matrix is lower than the failure strain of the fibers.

One method of increasing the fracture toughness of a ceramic is to reinforce it with fibres whiskers or particles. Cmcs are designed to overcome the main drawback of monolithic ceramics namely their brittleness. Cmc materials prevail over most of the drawbacks of conventional technical. Ceramic matrix composites cmcs are a subgroup of composite materials as well as a subgroup of ceramics they consist of ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix.

Polymer matrices are the most widely used for composites in commercial and high performance aerospace applications. This unique association of materials revolutionized the aerospace industry making parts more resistant to extreme conditions and lighter compared to the previous technologies. Ceramic matrix composites reinforced with long fibers are commonly fabricated by infiltration methods.