Charged Liquid Beam Cluster Deposition of Oxide Ceramic Coatings
W. M. Kriven,* L.-F. Siah, in collaboration with H. S. Choi and K. Kim, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, Inc.

The first part of the program involves the synthesis of ceramic precursors via a chemical synthesis route. The precursors will be characterized using standard procedures such as IR- and NMR-spectroscopy, phase (XRD), and thermal analysis (DTA/TGA). Solutions of the precursors will then be spray deposited onto fibers, single and woven sheet, through a technique called charged liquid beam cluster deposition to form a coating layer. Adhesion of the ceramic coating layer onto fibers and the homogeneity of its distribution will be studied primarily through SEM. Determination of the optimum coating thickness for useful transformation-weakening applications leading to fiber/matrix debonding will follow.