High Temperature Behavior of a Gel-Derived SiOC Glass: Elasticity and Viscosity

The high temperature behavior of a sol-gel derived silicon oxycarbide glass containing 12 at.% carbon has been characterized by means of creep and in-situ ultrasonic echography measurements. Temperature induced changes include structural relaxation and densification from 1000 to 1200°C, and crystallization to form a fine and homogeneous -SiC/glass-matrix nanocomposite with 2.5 nm large crystals above 1200°C. Young's modulus measurements clearly reveal a consolidation of the material upon annealing below 1200°C. Crystallization is almost complete after few hours at 1300°C and results in a significant increase in Young's modulus. The viscosity of the oxycarbide glass is much higher than that of fused silica, with two orders of magnitude difference at 1200°C, and the glass transition temperature ranges from 1320 to 1370°C.