Silicon carbide-silicon nitride fibers: Preparation and characterization of polycarbosilazane precursors

This study examines the effect of modifications of the chemical structure of the monomers on the properties of the polymeric precursor and and ceramic fibers. A group of silaneamines, R'-Si (NH-R) sub 3, taken from the series where R' is methyl or phenyl and R is n-propyl, n-butyl, phenyl or allyl, are converted to polycarbosilazanes by heating in excess of 500 C. Resins obtained from this polymerization are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and GPC. Each resin is tested for fiber-forming properties. Resin samples and fibers are hydrolytically cured. Thermogravimetric analyses are conducted on the cured resins to compare the relative thermal stability and examine the pyrolysis process. Cured fibers are tested for tensil strength.