Thermal fatigue behavior of C/C composites modified by SiC–MoSi2–CrSi2 coating

Carbon/carbon (C/C) composites were modified by SiC–MoSi2–CrSi2 multiphase coating by pack cementation, and their thermal fatigue behavior under thermal cycling in Ar and air environments was investigated. The modified C/C composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results of tests show that, after 20-time thermal cycles between 1773 K and room temperature in Ar environment, the flexural strength of modified C/C samples decreased lightly and the percentage of remaining strength was 94.92%. While, after thermal cycling between 1773 K and room temperature in air for 20 times, the weight loss of modified C/C samples was 5.1%, and the flexural strength of the modified C/C samples reduced obviously and the percentage of remaining strength was only 75.22%. The fracture mode of modified C/C samples changed from a brittle behavior to a pseudo-plastic one as the service environment transformed from Ar to air. The decrease of the flexural strength during thermal cycle in air was primarily attributed to the partial oxidation of modified C/C samples.

► The low-density C/C composites were modified by SiC–MoSi2–CrSi2 multiphase coating by pack cementation.
► The thermal fatigue behavior of the modified C/C composites was studied after undergoing thermal cycling for 20 times under the different environments.
► The decrease of the flexural strength of the modified C/C composites during thermal cycle in air was primarily attributed to the partial oxidation of the modified C/C samples.