Effect of Lu2O3 addition on the oxidation behavior of SiC-ZrB2 composite coating at 1500 °C: Experimental and theoretical study

The effect of Lu2O3 on the oxidation behavior of SiC-ZrB2 composite coating at 1500 degrees C in static air was investigated by oxidation test and first-principles simulations. The Lu2O3-SiC-ZrB2 composite coating protected C/C composites from oxidation at 1500 degrees C for 836 h with a mass gain of only 0.62 mg/cm(2). The introduction of Lu2O3 was beneficial for improving the densification of Lu2O3-SiC-ZrB2 composite coating. The experimental and first-principles simulations results suggest that Zr and Lu atoms tended to diffuse into the SiO2 network, which further developed the stability of SiO2 structure, thus leading to a good oxidation resistance of the Lu2O3-SiC-ZrB2 composite coating.

Automated summary

The Lu2O3-SiC-ZrB2 composite coating exhibited excellent oxidation resistance at 1500 degrees C, with Lu2O3 improving the coating's densification. Both experimental and first-principles simulations showed that the diffusion of Zr and Lu atoms into the SiO2 network enhanced the stability of the structure, leading to the good oxidation resistance of the composite coating.