Microstructure and properties of a novel designed interpenetrating network structure silicide/HfxZr1−xC multi-phase outer layer

Abstract

In this paper, a novel interpenetrating network structure was designed for the outer layer of Zr-Hf-Si-C multi-layer and multi-phase coating for carbon matrix to improve the ablation resistance and anti-particle scour. The proposed interpenetrating network structure is prepared via a one-step method of embedding infiltration/thermal evaporation. The microstructural, micro-mechanical, and ablation resistance properties of the coating were studied. Results show that the silicide and HfxZr1−xC(0.50 < x < 0.71) penetrate each other in the outer layer. The mechanical properties have increased by 27.7% in the outer layer owing to the interpenetrating network structure. The multi-phase outer layer with silicide showed a significant improvement in the ablation resistance as compared to that of the multi-phase outer layer without silicide and could protect carbon matrix for >60 s at 2800 ± 70 °C. Under the action of the interpenetrating network structure silicide, the ablation centre and the corresponding transition region form a dense Zr(Hf)O2 layer and Zr(Hf)CxOy region, respectively.