1. Introducing long-fiber ceramic composites

1.1 Fibers: nature and manufacturing methods

All the fibers used in CMC belong to the family of inorganic mineral fibers. Within this family, three main types of fiber can be distinguished:

• carbon fibers ;

• silicon carbide fibers ;

• oxide fibers, mainly alumina, basalt and mullite.

The choice of fibers for the preform is dictated by various considerations, such as temperature resistance, elastic modulus, coefficient of expansion, resistance to oxidation and creep, as well as cost. The...