Anti-oxidative quartz/carbon-braided fiber reinforced ceramizable composites modified with B4C and AlB2: Mechanical robustness, phase evolution and anti-oxidation mechanism

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced ceramizable phenolic resin matrix composites (Cf/CPR) have been widely used in the field of thermal protection materials. However, the industrial application of the Cf/CPR is restricted by its easy oxidation failure under high temperature condition. In this work, a novel antioxidative ceramizable composites modified with AlB2 and B4C (Cf-Qf/CPR) were prepared by using quartz fiber-coated carbon fiber (Cf-Qf) as reinforcements via co-weaving technique. The thermal stability, mechanical properties, interfacial phase evolution and anti-oxidation mechanism of the composites were investigated. The residue yield and the flexural strength of the composites after treatment at 1200°C for 15 min were 93.4 % and 62.4 MPa, increased by 5.4 % and 67.3 % compared with those of Cf/CPR. Quartz fiber and ceramic protective layer showed synergistic effect to improve the oxidation resistance of carbon fiber and PyC, confirming good high temperature mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of as-received composites.