Influence of SiC nanowires on the properties of SiC coating for C/C composites between room temperature and 1500 °C

To prevent carbon/carbon (C/C) composites from oxidation between room temperature and 1500 degrees C, a dense SiC nanowire-toughened SiC oxidation resistant coating was prepared by a two-step technique composed of chemical vapor deposition and pack cementation. SiC nanowires could effectively baffle the propagation of the microcracks and avoid the formation of the through-thickness microcracks in the original coating. The results indicated that, after introducing SiC nanowires, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the coating was decreased between 100 and 1500 degrees C, and the oxidation protective ability for the coated C/C composites was improved largely between room temperature and 1500 degrees C. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.