Fabrication and characterization of 3-D Cf/ZrC composites by low-temperature liquid metal infiltration

Abstract

Three-dimensional braided carbon fiber-reinforced ZrC matrix composite, 3-D Cf/ZrC, were prepared by liquid metal infiltration process at 1200°C using a Zr2Cu intermetallic compound as infiltrator. The microstructure and properties of the composites were investigated. The results indicated that ZrC with a yield of 35.2±1.8vol.% was certified as the major phase of the composites. The formation of ZrC was controlled by a solution-precipitation mechanism. The obtained composites exhibited good mechanical properties, with a flexural strength of 293.0±12.1MPa, a flexural modulus of 82.7±6.4GPa and a fracture toughness of 9.8±0.9MPam1/2. The mass and linear ablation rates of the composites exposed to oxyacetylene torch were 0.0013±0.0005gs−1 and −0.0009±0.0003mms−1, respectively. The formation of a dense ZrO2 protective layer and the evaporation of residual Cu contributed mainly to the excellent ablation resistance.