LAUSR

The results of high-temperature nanoindentation testing on both a control and a neutron-irradiated silicon carbide matrix silicon carbide fiber composite sample are presented. The mechanical properties of the chemical vapor-infiltrated matrix were observed to have slightly increased in hardness and slightly decreased in elastic modulus after irradiation. Tyranno SA3 fiber behavior results are inconclusive, possibly because residual graphite in the fibers resulting from the manufacturing process produced a large scatter in the data. This work also demonstrates the capability to measure the individual components of fabricated composites at elevated temperature, which should provide inputs for modeling the macro-scale behavior of the composites.