Abstract
The main goal of the work was to prepare a cost effective and simple to preform high temperature matrix for composite materials. To fulfil expectations, it was necessary to optimise the design of the composite to have an optimal fibre–matrix interaction. A number of modified polysiloxane resins were studied in various steps of heat treatment. This contribution deals with changes in the behaviour of the matrix as a stay alone material. This knowledge enables the optimisation of composite properties. A fully instrumented indentation technique for the determination of reliable parameters characterising the microstructural changes was used. The fracture behaviour of the prepared composite matrixes was evaluated in terms of indentation cracks. Both optical and scanning electron microscopies were employed in microstructural observations and fracture mechanism qualification.
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