Fabrication and microstructural investigations of porous ceramic particle/polymer matrix composites

AbstractWell defined porous ceramic particle/polymer matrix composites consisting of Si and nanosized ZrO2 particles have been fabricated by the pyrolysis of phenolic resin at 1123 K in vacuum. Electron probe microanalyser analysis showed that the pyrolysis of the starting materials led to the agglomeration of ZrO2 particles and the uniformly distribution of Si particles in the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the formation of spherical pores ranging from 10 μm to several 100 μm in diameter in the composite, resulting in the flexural strength of ∼14 MPa. X-ray diffraction analysis suggested that β-SiC might be formed in the composite; and the matrix of porous polymer matrix ceramic composite was amorphous carbon.