Bidirectional periodic pore structure Si-C-N multiphase ceramic with high thermostability and excellent microwave absorption properties over a wide temperature range

High-temperature electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials are urgently needed for high thrust-to-weight ratio aero-engine. A novel EMW absorbing Si-C-N ceramic at elevated temperatures was fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) Si3N4 and SiC on 2D plain carbon fiber preform forming periodic framing and then oxidation to remove carbon fiber. The three-level gradient periodic microstructure was in-situ constructed in the Si-C-N ceramics to meet the impedance matching characteristics and effectively attenuate as much as EMWs. Compared with traditional EMW absorption materials, the Si-C-N ceramics with bidirectional periodic pore had a lower density of 1.2 g/cm3 and better frequency dispersion behavior which could obtain an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) covering the whole X-band at 2.45 mm and the lowest reflection coefficient (RCmin) of − 40 dB at 3.5 mm. The optimal Si-C-N ceramics (S2) show excellent EMW absorption performance over a wide temperature range. The Si-C-N ceramic had a promising applications at high temperatures.