Microstructure and ablation behavior of hafnium carbide coating for carbon/carbon composites

► Multi-layered HfC coating was prepared on C/C composites by LPCVD. ► The evolution of microstructure of HfC coating during ablation were clearly analyzed. ► The ablation behaviors of the HfC coating in different regions were discussed. ► Both HfO2 film and HfCxOy can act as oxygen barrier.