A simple polymeric precursor strategy for the syntheses of complex zirconium and hafnium-based ultra high-temperature silicon-carbide composite ceramics

Pyrolyses of chemical precursor systems composed of zirconium or hafnium powders dispersed into blends of the polymethylcarbosilane and poly(norbornenyldecaborane) preceramic polymers provide simple efficient routes to new types of ZrB2/ZrC/SiC and HfB2/HfC/SiC composites. Further extensions of this method should now allow the syntheses of a wide variety of complex potential ultra high-temperature zirconium- and hafnium-based composite materials with controllable tuning of their compositions, microstructures, and/or stabilities.