Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
The high-temperature behavior of NICALON fabric is discussed. Three fabric reinforced composites are described that use NICALON fabric to take advantage of its oxidation and erosion resistance. The matrix materials used were phenolic resin, pyrolytic carbon and beta-silicon carbide. Each composite was subjected to an erosive environment at 2755 K. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and laser Raman microprobe analysis (LRMA) were used to characterize the raw materials, the unfired composites, and the erosion tested composites. These analyses concentrated on the fiber/matrix interaction and the effect of erosion on each component of the composite.