Microstructure and antioxidation performance of SiC-ZrO-MoSi2/Ni coated carbon fiber produced by composite electroplating

To improve the oxidation resistance ability of carbon fiber (CF) in the high temperature environment, the composite electroplating method had been used to fabricate SiC-ZrO-MoSi2/Ni coating at the surface of CF. Both nanoparticles and Ni-matrix were plated onto CF successfully while the mechanical property of coated CF was only slightly weakened. The oxidation resistance performance of CF and the CF reinforced phenolic resin composites had been improved obviously. The microstructure of coatings was investigated by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis was applied to test the anti-oxidation ability of coated CF. The mechanism of oxidation process had been discussed. It can be concluded that composite plating is an effective way to make composite coatings which can enhance the anti-oxidation ability of CF.