Fabrication and characterization of an ultra-high-temperature carbon fiber-reinforced ZrB2-SiC matrix composite

A novel carbon fiber-reinforced ZrB2-SiC matrix composite was fabricated by heaterless chemical vapor infiltration through infiltration of SiC matrix into a carbon fiber-ZrB2 powder preform. The C/ZrB2-SiC composite presented a flexural strength of 148 MPa, a fracture toughness of 5.6 MPa center dot m(1/2), and a good oxidation and ablation resistance.