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 °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 °C, and the oxidation protective ability for the coated C/C composites was improved largely between room temperature and 1500 °C.

► In this study, SiC nanowire-toughened SiC oxidation resistant coating was prepared on C/C composites.
► The introduction of SiC nanowires decreased the coefficient of thermal expansion of the coating.
► Oxidation and thermal shock resistant abilities of the coating for C/C composites were improved by introducing SiC nanowires.