To support a new generation of aerospace engineering structures scientists are working on designing structural materials that combine low density and high strength characteristics at elevated operating temperatures. Fibrous composite materials based on heat-resistant titanium alloys and ceramic matrices reinforced with silicon carbide fibers are used in advanced technology designs. Scientists at the NSU`s Department of Physics, Laboratory for the Synthesis of Functional Materials have proposed a simpler and more economical technology for producing silicon carbide fiber. The launch of industrial production will solve the problem of fiber import substitution in Russia.
Evgeny Galashov, Project Manager and Researcher at the NSU`s Department of Applied Physics, talked about the research,
To date, a large range of reinforcing fibers is being actively developed and produced on an industrial scale by a number of foreign companies: Specialty Materials Inc. (USA), TISICS Ltd (DERA, QinetiQ, UK), and FMW Composite Systems Inc. (USA). However, foreign production methods require a large investment of time and money with the cost of the final product exceeding several thousand dollars per pound. In addition, foreign fibers are prohibited for export to Russia, which makes it difficult to create composites based on them. Our technology makes it possible to obtain high-quality silicon carbide fiber for cosmonautics and aviation on a short timeline and at a lower cost.
This new approach is based on the chemical reaction of silicon carbide formation on the surface of a continuous carbon filament immersed in a silicon melt solution. Coils of carbon fiber are immersed in a vacuum reactor. Following this, the carbon fiber thread is pulled through low-melting eutectic melts with a high silicon content at a temperature of 350-450 ° C in an inert atmosphere. When the reaction is completed, coils of silicon carbide fiber that have a SiC/Si reinforcing coating formed without destroying the carbon base with a given thickness and composition are removed from the reactor. These can be used as a subsequent stage of modification in the production of commercial carbon fiber.
To date, the project team has manufactured an experimental reactor and samples of silicon carbide fiber were obtained. Work is underway to create an industrial vacuum reactor to produce a continuous core silicon carbide fiber. In order for this industrial plant to launch in 2023, the project requires co-financing in the amount of at least 10 million rubles. This will make it possible to start commercial deliveries of domestic silicon carbide fibers.
Earlier leading engineers at the NSU`s Department of Applied Physics, Evgeny Galashov and Vitaly Moskovskikh, conducted a project to create industrial production of perfect crystals. This project was named one of the TOP-100 innovations at the Zhongguancun International Forum in China.
