Oxidation behavior of hot pressed ZrB2–SiC and HfB2–SiC composites

Non-isothermal, isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of hot pressed ZrB2–20 (vol.%) SiC (ZS) and HfB2–20 SiC (HS) composites have been compared. Studies involving heating in thermogravimetric analyzer have shown sharp mass increases at 740 and 1180 °C for ZS, and mass gain till 1100 °C followed by loss for HS. Isothermal oxidation tests for 1, 24 and 100 h durations at 1200 or 1300 °C have shown formation of partially and completely stable oxide scales after ∼24 h exposure for ZS and HS, respectively. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy or wavelength dispersive spectroscopy has confirmed presence of ZrO2 or HfO2 in oxide scales of ZS or HS, respectively, besides B2O3–SiO2. Degradation appears more severe in isothermally oxidized ZS due to phase transformations in ZrO2; and is worse in HS on cyclic oxidation at 1300 °C with air cooling, because of higher thermal residual stresses in its oxide scale.