Microstructure and ablation behaviors of integer felt reinforced C/C-SiC-ZrC composites prepared by a two-step method

To satisfy the increasing demand for advanced materials with temperature capability of over 2000 degrees C for ultrahigh temperature and aerospace applications, integer felt reinforced C/C-SiC-ZrC composites were prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration (ICVI) combined with reaction melt infiltration (RMI) method. The microstructure and ablation properties of the felt-based C/C-SiC-ZrC composites were investigated. The ablation test was carried out under an oxyacetylene torch flame. The results indicate that the linear and mass ablation rates of the integer felt reinforced C/C-SiC-ZrC prepared are greatly reduced compared with those of C/C composites and the co-addition of ZrC and SiC into C/C composites effectively enhances their ablation resistance. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.