Oxidation behavior of co-deposited ZrC modified C/C composites prepared by chemical liquid-vapor infiltration process

The oxidation behavior of C/C-ZrC composites prepared by chemical liquid-vapor infiltration (CLVI) process was studied, and the effects of co-deposited ZrC on the oxidation resistance properties were also discussed. Results indicate that an excellent oxidation resistance of C/C-ZrC composites has been obtained due to introduction of co-deposited ZrC. After 240 min oxidation at 900 °C, the mass loss of C/C-ZrC composites reaches to 11.77%, which decreases remarkably compared with C/C composites (90.74%). ZrC ceramics co-deposited on carbon fibers can improve the anti-oxidation properties of the fiber/matrix interfaces and the matrix to decrease the amounts of oxidation defects. Moreover, ZrO2 layers are produced by the oxidation of ZrC, which can form a protective film to reduce the erosive attack. A schematic was proposed to further illustrate the oxidation behavior of C/C-ZrC composites. Additionally, co-deposition of ZrC leads to high graphitization degree of C/C composites, thus increasing the activation energy of the composites, which also improves oxidation resistance properties.