Effect of surface oxidation on thermal shock resistance of ZrB2–SiC–ZrC ceramic at temperature difference from 800 to 1900 °C

Abstract

In the present work, the ZrB2–ZrC–SiC ceramic was fabricated at 1900°C through the reaction (5Zr+2B4C+Si→4ZrB2+ZrC+SiC). The effect of oxidation behavior on the thermal shock resistance of the ZrB2–ZrC–SiC ceramic was investigated in two kinds of heat conditions (air and vacuum) by measuring the residual strength after water quenching for the temperature difference ranging from 200 to 1900°C. The improvement of thermal shock resistance was attributed to the formation of oxide layers. The results of the present work indicate that the short-term oxidation is favorable to improve the thermal shock resistance of ZrB2-based ceramics.