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Chinese Journal of Materials Research  2026, Vol. 40 Issue (8): 624-630    DOI: 10.11901/1005.3093.2025.348
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High-throughput Screening of a Novel B-N-Si Interphase for Continuous SiC Fiber Reinforced SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites
LEI Yiming1, SHI Jinyu1,2, LV Xirui1, ZHANG Jie1(), WANG Jingyang1
1.Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
2.School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang 110016, China
Cite this article: 

LEI Yiming, SHI Jinyu, LV Xirui, ZHANG Jie, WANG Jingyang. High-throughput Screening of a Novel B-N-Si Interphase for Continuous SiC Fiber Reinforced SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites. Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 2026, 40(8): 624-630.

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Abstract  

Continuous SiC fiber reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites are promising high-temperature structural materials for aerospace applications, whose performance is strongly influenced by the interphase between the fiber and the matrix. Although traditional interphases such as pyrolytic carbon and hexagonal boron nitride possess a layered structure, the resistance against high-temperature steam oxidation is relatively poor. This work focused on the B-N-Si ternary system as a novel interphase candidate. The effect of Si content on the structure, mechanical properties, and high-temperature water vapor oxidation behavior of B-N-Si interphase material were systematically investigated by means of high-throughput fabrication and characterization technique. The results showed that all B-N-Si coatings deposited at room temperature exhibited an amorphous structure, with silicon atoms preferentially replacing boron atoms and forming Si-N bonds. When silicon content was in the range of 7.57%-19.66% (atomic fraction), all coatings satisfied the mechanical requirements for crack deflection. Moreover, when the silicon content exceeds 11.76%, the coatings could swell up after oxidation at 900 oC in a 90%H2O-10%O2 atmosphere due to the formation of B2O3·SiO2 glass phase, exhibiting remarkable self-healing capability and oxidation resistance.

Key words:  surface and interface in the materials      combinatorial material chip      interphase      crack deflection      steam oxidation resistance     
Received:  26 November 2025     
ZTFLH:  TG174.2  
Fund: National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFB3707700)
Corresponding Authors:  ZHANG Jie, Tel: (024)23970490, E-mail: jiezhang@imr.ac.cn

URL: 

https://www.cjmr.org/EN/10.11901/1005.3093.2025.348     OR     https://www.cjmr.org/EN/Y2026/V40/I8/624

Fig.1  Optical photograph of the combinatorial material chip fabricated on a single crystal alumina substrate (a) and corresponding Si content distribution map (b)
Fig.2  XPS spectra of the B-N-Si coatings with different Si contents (a) N 1s, (b) Si 2p, (c) B 1s
Fig.3  Hardness and modulus of B-N-Si coatings as a function of Si content
Fig.4  Crack deflection potential (σic/σ2c) as a function of the elastic modulus ratio (E2/E1) of the two adjacent materials[22]
Fig.5  Thickness change of B-N-Si coatings before and after oxidation in 90%H2O-10%O2 at 900 oC
Fig.6  Surface morphologies of B-N-Si coatings with Si content of 7.57% (a), 8.22% (b), 11.76% (c) and 17.44% (d) after oxidation in 90%H2O-10%O2 at 900 oC
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