The detection method of particle distribution in ternary composites consisting of particles, resin matrix and 3-D woven reinforcement

Recently, with the increasing demands and requirements for thermostabilities and mechanical properties, traditional ablation resistant composites face new challenges. Adding the heat-resistant metal compounds to the three-dimensional woven-preforms was taken to promote the high-temperature performance of the composites, such as glass fibre reinforced composites of phenolic and carbon-carbon composites used in the aviation and aerospace. Herein ternary composites of TiC particles / three-dimensional woven glass fibre (fine weave pierced fabric) / resin matrix was fabricated with the liquid phase infiltration method. Several particle detection methods were investigated to analyze the distribution of TiC particles within the composite, which is important for process optimal to improve the performance of the composites. Microscopic methods such as metallographic photography and Electron probe micro-analyser (EPMA) were taken to prove whether the particles could enter the preforms or not. Macroscopic methods such as the method based on calculations of the density, chemical analysis and physical analysis were investigated by studying their feasibility and accuracy. The comparisons of the detection methods laid the foundation of analysis of process and enabled the optimizing the structure and performance of ternary composites. And at present, only final composite parts can be analyzed with those off-line particle detection methods. Developing a new on-line method or facility will be of great importance to the future research and manufacture of high-performance ternary ablation resistant composites.