Preparation and Properties of Cf/SiC-ZrC Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

Ultra-high temperature materials have many excellent properties, such as high melting point, high specific strength, high thermal conductivity, high conductivity, corrosion resistance and good chemical stability, which make them become high temperature structural materials for aircraft in extreme environments.Cf/SiC-ZrC ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites were fabricated by the combined process of chemical vapor deposition and precursor infiltration pyrolysis (CVI-PIP) in this study. The phase composition and microstructure features of the composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. A PyC layer was observed as the interfacial layer between carbon fiber and the ultrahigh temperature ceramic matrix. It can protect the carbon fiber from damage during the cyclic PIP process. Nano crystalline ZrC particles were observed in the composites. The ablation mechanisms of the composites were tested in arc-jet wind tunnel and it exhibited good ablation-resistant properties. The ablation mechanism of composite materials in wind tunnel environment is discussed.