Creep and Stress–Strain Behavior after Creep for SiC Fiber Reinforced, Melt‐Infiltrated SiC Matrix Composites

Silicon carbide fiber (Hi‐Nicalon Type S, Nippon Carbon) reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites containing melt‐infiltrated silicon were subjected to creep at 1315°C at three different stress conditions. For the specimens that did not rupture after 100 h of tensile creep, fast‐fracture experiments were performed immediately following the creep test at the creep temperature (1315°C) or after cooling to room temperature. All specimens demonstrated excellent creep resistance and compared well to the creep behavior published in the literature on similar composite systems. Tensile results on the after‐creep specimens showed that the matrix cracking stress actually increased, which is attributed to stress redistribution between composite constituents during tensile creep.