Bachelor's and Master's theses
Bachelor's thesis
- Influence of Matrix Composition on the Oxidation Behaviour of SiC/SiC Composite Materials
Silicon carbide fibre-reinforced composites (SiC/SiC CMCs) combine exceptional temperature resistance and chemical stability with high damage tolerance. This makes them among the most promising materials for use in high-temperature environments such as turbines or aerospace components.
Description: Influence of Matrix Composition on the Oxidation Behaviour of SiC/SiC Composite Materials
Contact Person:
-Kevin Postler, Phone: +49 821 598-69233, Raum W3016, E-Mail: Kevin.postler@uni-a.de
- Inductive manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC)
The development of silicon carbide (SiC) based Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) is crucial for advancing high-temperature materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. By employing inductive pyrolysis and siliconization, we aim to explore an energy efficient method to enhance the production process. This project addresses the growing demand for lightweight, durable, and thermally stable materials that can withstand extreme conditions.
Description: Inductive manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC)
Contact Person:
-Thomas Bratzdrum, Phone: +49 821 598-69232, Raum W3016, E-Mail: Thomas.bratzdrum@uni-a.de
- Sintering of ceramic coatings for the production of CMC interphases
Interphases are an important component of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) for controlling fracture behaviour. An alternative to the classic production of interphases by CVD on ceramic fibres is electrophoresis (EPD). The powders deposited in this process must then be thermally treated to produce dense interphases. This work aims to contribute to a better understanding of the influences of various sintering parameters.
Description: Sintering of ceramic coatings for the production of CMC interphases
Contact Person:
-Noah Kestler, Phone: +49 821 598-69226, Raum W3017, E-Mail: Noah.kestler@uni-a.de
- Retardation of the LSI Process by Controlling the Vacuum Pressure
C/SiC materials are characterized by high wear resistance as well as excellent temperature and thermal shock resistance, making them attractive for applications in aerospace and automotive industries. A central step in the production of C/SiC materials is the LSI process, during which liquid silicon is infiltrated into a porous carbon preform. This forms SiC, which provides the material with its mechanical and chemical stability. However, during the LSI process, infiltration remains limited by the melting point of silicon. One potential way to overcome this limitation is to deliberately vary the pressure during the process.
Description: Retardation of the LSI Process by Controlling the Vacuum Pressure
Contact Person:
-Thilo Langmann, Phone: +49 821 598-69225, Raum W3018, E-Mail: Thilo.langmann@uni-a.de
- Increasing the conductivity of SiC fibres as a substrate for electrophoretic coating
Interphases have a significant influence on the fracture behaviour of ceramic matrix composites (CMC). Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) offers an alternative to CVD coating, but requires high electrical conductivity of the SiC fibres. This can be increased by suitable surface treatments. The aim of this work is to help identify a suitable method for improving electrical conductivity.
Description: Increasing the conductivity of SiC fibres as a substrate for electrophoretic coating
Contact Person:
-Noah Kestler, Phone: +49 821 598-69226, Raum W3017, E-Mail: Noah.kestler@uni-a.de
- Aufbereitung von keramischen Suspensionen für elektrophoretische Beschichtung
Interphasen bestimmen maß-geblich das Bruchverhalten keramischer Faserverbund-werkstoffe (CMC). Eine alternative Methode zur klassischen CVD-Beschichtung ist die elektrophoretische Abscheidung (EPD). Damit die erzeugten Interphasen dicht und porenarm werden, müssen die eingesetzten Suspensionen möglichst wenige und kleine Agglomerate enthalten. Durch eine gezielte Aufbereitung lässt sich dies beeinflussen. Die Arbeit soll dazu beitragen, eine optimale Methode zur Herstellung solcher Suspensionen zu entwickeln.
Description: Aufbereitung von keramischen Suspensionen für elektrophoretische Beschichtung
Contact Person:
-Noah Kestler, Phone: +49 821 598-69226, Raum W3017, E-Mail: Noah.kestler@uni-a.de
Master's thesis
- Wick Systems for the LSI Process to Improve Infiltration Depth
C/SiC materials exhibit high wear resistance as well as excellent temperature and thermal shock resistance, making them particularly attractive for applications in aerospace and automotive engineering. In short fiber-reinforced C/SiC materials, a common challenge is that the infiltration depth is limited by the pore structure. This restricts the maximum achievable wall thickness and imposes constraints on component design. A promising approach to solving this problem is the deliberate selection and positioning of the wick system through which liquid silicon is directed into the porous carbon structure.
Description: Wick Systems for the LSI Process to Improve Infiltration Depth
Contact Person:
-Thilo Langmann, Phone: +49 821 598-69225, Raum W3018, E-Mail: Thilo.langmann@uni-a.de
- Non-destructive characterization of Carbon-Carbon composites with complex porosity and prediction of silicon infiltration behaviour during LSI process
Liquid Silicon Infiltration (LSI) is one of the key processes for manufacturing Silicon carbide (SiC) matrix composites. This process involves infiltration of porous carbon preforms with molten silicon at high temperatures to form SiC. The kinetics of this infiltration process largely depends on the porosity, pore size and morphology of the carbon substrate. Hence it is critical to characterize the porosity of the carbon preforms in order to understand and predict the LSI process outcome.
Contact Person:
-Manikanda Priya Prakasan, Phone: +49 821 598-69225, Raum W3018, E-Mail: manikanda.prakasan@uni-a.de
- In-Situ FTIR Spectroscopic investigations during high temperature silicon infiltration processes
In-situ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy offers a powerful way to observe gas-phase species directly during high temperature processes, such as fabrication of silicon carbide based composites using silicon infiltration. However, reliable reference spectra for many Si-containing gas molecules are scarce or scattered across the literature, making interpretation of in-situ data challenging. This thesis aims to bridge the gap by combining systematic literature research with high-temperature insitu FTIR measurements to produce a clearer picture of volatile formation during silicon melt infiltration.
Description: In-Situ FTIR Spectroscopic investigations during high temperature silicon infiltration processes
Contact Person:
-Manikanda Priya Prakasan, Phone: +49 821 598-69225, Raum W3018, E-Mail: manikanda.prakasan@uni-a.de