Fabrication of Cf/ZrC composites by infiltrating Cf/C performs with Zr–Cu alloys

•Zr7Cu10, ZrCu and Zr2Cu intermetallic compounds were used to prepare Cf/ZrC composites.•The Cf/ZrC composites were fabricated at temperature as low as 1200 °C.•The effects of Cu on microstructure and properties of the composites were studied.

Carbon fiber-reinforced zirconium carbide matrix (Cf/ZrC) composites were fabricated at 1200 °C, by vacuum infiltrating Cf/C performs with molten Zr7Cu10, ZrCu and Zr2Cu intermetallic compound respectively. The influences of Cu contents in the infiltrators on composition, microstructure and ablation resistance of the final composites were investigated. Results showed that: the products were composed of either single- or polycrystalline ZrC, C and Cu. With the increasing Cu content in the infiltrators, both the growth and crystallization of ZrC grains were inhibited, and the yield of ZrC decreased from 43.7 vol% to 27.9 vol%. Tested by an oxyacetylene torch, the composites show excellent anti-ablation properties affected apparently by the Cu contents.