The influence of surface heat transfer conditions on thermal shock behavior of ZrB2–SiC–AlN ceramic composites

The thermal shock behavior of ZrB2–SiC–AlN ceramic composites obtained by water quenching has been greatly improved through oxidizing the specimens at 1100 °C for 1 h in air. The critical thermal shock temperatures increased by about 50% for all specimens, with sizes ranging from 2 × 3 × 36 mm to 5 × 6 × 36 mm. Surface changes were observed after oxidation and thermal shock. The surface heat transfer conditions changed due to different sizes and oxidation, which both influenced the thermal shock behavior of the ceramic composites.