Comparative research on cyclic ablation behavior of C/C-ZrC-SiC and C/C-ZrC composites at temperatures above 2000 °C

The cyclic and single ablation behavior of C/C-ZrC-SiC and C/C-ZrC composites prepared by reactive melt infiltration were studied. The ablation resistance properties of cyclic ablation of 30 s x 4 and single ablation of 120 s was similar to that of 60 s x 4 and 240 s. The oxidation of the matrix and the peeling content of oxides are aggravated with the increased cyclic ablation numbers. Under the cyclic ablation mode, C/C-ZrC-SiC composites showed lower mass loss than C/C-ZrC composites. At the single ablation of 240 s, C/C-ZrC-SiC composites showed desirable ablation resistance owing to the formation of an effective heat/oxygen protection layer on the ablated surface.

Automated summary

The cyclic and single ablation behavior of C/C-ZrC-SiC and C/C-ZrC composites, prepared by reactive melt infiltration, were investigated. It was found that the increased cyclic ablation numbers aggravated the oxidation of the matrix and the peeling content of oxides. Under the cyclic ablation mode, C/C-ZrC-SiC composites exhibited better resistance to mass loss compared to C/C-ZrC composites. Moreover, at a single ablation duration of 240 s, C/C-ZrC-SiC composites demonstrated desirable ablation resistance due to the formation of an effective heat/oxygen protection layer.