SiC compression enhanced polymer composites

TISICS is a UK SME specialising in the manufacture of metal matrix composites using its proprietary UK manufactured silicon carbide fibre as a reinforcement. This project aims to assess the potential to use the silicon carbide fibre to reinforce polymer matrix composites and improve compression performance as the fibre significantly enhances the compression performance in metals. TISICS aims to investigate whether the higher diameter silicon carbide fibre with high stiffness compared to a carbon fibre tow, which is very flexible leading to waviness, reduces the potential for micro buckling seen in carbon composites and hence poor compression strength. Applications in sports goods from bikes to racing car roll hoops as well as higher value aerospace and industrial applications have been identified which would benefit from higher compression strength.