Polymer-Derived Ceramics (PDCs)

Abstract

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) represent a rather novel class of ceramics which can be synthesized via cross-linking and pyrolysis of suitable polymeric precursors. In the last decades, PDCs have been attaining increased attention due to their outstanding ultrahigh-temperature properties, such as stability with respect to decomposition and crystallization processes as well as resistance in oxidative and corrosive environments. Moreover, their creep resistance is excellent at temperatures far beyond 1000 °C. The properties of PDCs were shown to be strongly related to their microstructure (network topology) and phase composition, which are determined by the chemistry and molecular structure of the polymeric precursor used and by the conditions of the polymer-to-ceramic transformation. Within this chapter, synthesis approaches, the nano/microstructure, as well as the behavior of PDCs at ultrahigh temperatures and in harsh environments will be presented. The emphasis of the highlighted and discussed results will focus on the intimate relationship between the precursors (molecular structure/architecture) and the resulting PDCs (phase composition, nano/microstructure, and UHT properties).