Preparation and properties of C/TaC composites via PIP process

Abstract

Prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process (PIP), the carbon fiber reinforced tantalum carbide composites (C/TaC) were studied from the aspects of micro-structural, mechanical and ablation properties. The TaC phase formation was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction of the composites while the matrix formation around each individual fiber and the porosity between fiber bundles were presented by the cross-sectional microstructures of the composites. Furthermore, with a flexural strength of 166.5±16.84MPa, the as-received C/TaC composites demonstrated a non-catastrophic facture behavior. Compared with the C/SiC composites by the PIP process, the C/TaC composites presented better ablation resistances, where the mass lose rate and linear recession rate during the oxyacetylene torch test were decreased by 45.9% and 78.6%, respectively. Besides, the durability of C/TaC in water vapor condition was also evaluated.