Zirconium diboride-based slurries with readily controlled viscosity for preparing ceramic matrix composites

A comprehensive study of the rheological properties of slurries containing ZrB 2 ceramic powder of different dispersity, as well as phenol–formaldehyde resin as a binder and acetone as a solvent, was undertaken. Dependences of viscosity and shear stress on shear rate of both solutions of phenol–formaldehyde resin in acetone and slurries containing ceramic fillers were investigated. The limits of the content of dispersed ZrB 2 particles in the slurries were established, and the range of dynamic viscosities of the slurries depending on their composition was determined. A model was proposed to describe and predict the viscosity values of multicomponent slurries containing a ceramic filler, an organic resin , and a solvent was proposed. The ZrB 2 -SiC composites reinforced with continuous carbon fiber were formed using the resulting slurries of different viscosities. The penetration ability of the slurries into the carbon fiber, as well as the composite's overall microstructure, have been demonstrated to be significantly influenced by slurry viscosity.