COMPOSITE MATERIAL PROTECTED FROM OXIDATION BY A SELF-HEALING MATRIX, AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

A composite material protected from oxidation at intermediate temperatures no higher than 850 DEG C, including a fibrous reinforcement densified by a matrix comprising at least one self-healing phase which includes a glass precursor component, e.g. B4C or an Si-B-C system, and excess free carbon (C) in a percentage by weight of 10-35 %. The or each self-healing phase may be inserted between two ceramic matrix phases such as SiC. When the material is exposed to an oxidising medium, the oxidation of the free carbon promotes that of the precursor and its conversion into glass capable of filling cracks in the matrix by self-healing.