Oxidation mechanisms of SiC‐fiber–reinforced Si eutectic alloy matrix composites at elevated temperatures

SiC‐fiber–reinforced binary Si eutectic alloy composites have been developed for aerospace applications using the melt infiltration method. In this study, the oxidation mechanisms of various binary Si eutectic alloys were evaluated at elevated temperatures. We suggest that the oxidation resistance of eutectic alloys could be predicted using the Gibbs energy change for the oxidation reaction. Based on these calculations, eutectic alloys of Si‐16at%Ti, Si‐17at%Cr, Si‐22at%Co, Si‐38at%Co, and Si‐27at%Fe were prepared. These alloys produced uniform SiO2 layers and showed the same oxidation resistance as Si at 1000°C under humid conditions. Therefore, SiC composites using Si alloys with excellent oxidation resistance can be predicted using thermodynamic calculations.