Mechanical properties and thermal shock behavior of bionic laminated ZrB2–SiC–G ceramics

•The flexural strength and fracture toughness were obviously increased.•Thermal shock resistance of laminated ZrB2 ceramics was firstly investigated.•The critical thermal shock temperature was obviously improved.•These results were attributed to the appropriate residual thermal stress.

Laminated ZrB2–SiC–G ceramics were prepared by the combination of tape casting and hot pressing. The various effects of the addition of ZrB2 and SiC particles to graphite layers on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior, as well as thermal shock resistance were investigated in detail. When 30 vol.% ZrB2 and 10 vol.% SiC were added to the graphite layers, the laminated ZrB2–SiC–G ceramics were obtained with bending strength of 610 MPa, fracture toughness of 13.7 MPa·m1/2, fracture work of 617 J/m2, critical thermal shock temperature (ΔTC) of 508 °C. These results were attributed to the appropriate residual thermal stress between interface layers, which were important to the improvement of the mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of the laminated ZrB2–SiC–G ceramics.