Ablation and heat insulation performances of nose-shaped ZrC-C composites with gradient pore structure

Nose-shaped ZrC-C composites with gradient pore structure (ZrC-CGS) were successfully prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration using ZrC skeleton as preform. Pyrolytic carbon with medium texture was deposited around ZrC skeleton. From the top to back, the porosity of the ZrC-CGS composites increased gradually from 0% to 62.9%. Compared with the ZrC-C composites with dense structure (ZrC-CDS), the mass ablation rate of the ZrCCGS composites decreased by 15.3% and the heat resistance capacity increased by 45.6%, and their coefficients of thermal expansion decreased obviously in the temperature range of 200-1500 degrees C. The simulation results showed that the residual thermal stress and back temperature of the ZrC-CGS composites are lower than those of the ZrCCDS composites. This work provides an effective strategy for designing and preparing ultra-high temperature composites having both ablation and heat insulation performances by controlling the pore structure and distribution.

Automated summary

Nose-shaped ZrC-C composites with gradient pore structure (ZrC-CGS) were successfully prepared using ZrC skeleton as preform, showing superior ablation and heat insulation performance. Compared with ZrC-C composites with dense structure, ZrC-CGS composites have a lower mass ablation rate, higher heat resistance capacity, and lower coefficients of thermal expansion.