Relationship between mass variation and residual strength change with temperature on 3D C/SiC composites in oxidizing atmosphere

3D-braided carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (3D C/SiC) were investigated on the environmental properties in various oxidizing atmosphere. The mass variation and the residual strength as a function of the temperature were determined. Based on the architecture and microstructure, the contributions of the constituents in 3D C/SiC to properties and its evolving were analyzed. The results show that the mass variation with temperature correlates well with the residual strength change with temperature. Therefore, the mass variation is more fundamental and reliable for material characterization in simulating environments than the residual strength.