In-situ formed Ni2Si into lightweight SiC(rGO) nanocomposite PDCs to boost load bearing-microwave absorption integration for complex environments

Abstract

As contemporary aerospace and radar-detecting technologies evolve, load bearing-microwave absorption integration of thermal protection materials for complex environment requirements are urgent. Well known for low density, good high-temperature resistance and superior tunable dielectric properties, polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) promisingly meet most needs of high-performance aircraft thermal protection system (TPS). Aimed at promoting practical application, we integrate in-situ formed Ni2Si into lightweight SiC(rGO) nanocomposite PDCs via re-pyrolyzing coassembled nano-Ni/SiC(rGO)p/polycarbosilane-vinyltriethoxysilane-graphene oxide (PVG) blends to enhance their mechanical and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing performances. Size effect on phase transition of Ni into Ni2Si (as brazing bonding agents) accompanied by volumetric expansion, ingeniously eliminates stretching stress from PVG precursor inward shrinkage for compact framework during re-pyrolysis. In-situ generated Ni/Ni2Si/C core-shell nanostructure (similar to nodular cast iron) has good chemical compatibility with β-SiC/SiOxCy/Cfree(rGO), thereby enables composites improved compactness and toughness. More interestingly, heterogeneous interfaces/defects among Ni, Ni2Si, carbon shell, β-SiC and SiOxCy/Cfree(rGO) matrix, effectively facilitate interfacial/dipole polarization for robust EMW absorption, and lightweight SiC(rGO, Ni2Si)Ni=4% nanocomposite PDCs exhibit outstanding fracture toughness of 6.56 MPa·m1/2 and high compressive strength of 119.25 MPa. Such composite with structure-function integration maintain stable under butane blowtorch at ∼1300 °C, shedding light on a new route to mass-manufacture aerospace vehicle components.