Investigation of the adhesion promoter distribution in porous ceramic precursors

The purpose of this paper is to improve the mechanical properties of polymer infiltrated ceramics (PICs) by the enhancement of the adhesion between both components. To improve the interface adhesion, an adhesion promoter (silane) was used. The silane distribution in the precursors was studied using Raman and IR spectroscopy. Inhomogeneous silane distribution was found after applying a common surface modification method. In this paper, different silane modification methods were developed. The methods differ in the manner of the infiltration solution, the point of silane activation, and the infiltration pressure. The impacts achieved by the use of these methods were analyzed, and different adhesion mechanisms between silane molecules and the ceramic surface were established. As a result, a unique infiltration method which generates homogeneous silane distributions was developed. The interface adhesion depends among other parameters on the silane amount on the surface. The adjustment of the silane amount in the precursor was realized by the use of IR-spectroscopy.