Effects of polymer derived SiC interphase on the properties of C/ZrC composites

•C/ZrC composite with polymer derived SiC interphase was prepared.•The composite density increased with SiC interphase content increase.•The SiC interphase prevented fiber damage from carbon thermal reduction effectively.•The introduction of SiC interphase enhanced the mechanical properties.•The ablation properties of C/ZrC composites were improved with SiC interphase.

Polymer derived silicon carbide (SiC) interphase was introduced by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) to prevent carbon fiber erosion and to improve the fiber–matrix interface bonding of C/ZrC composites prepared by PIP. Introducing SiC interphase increased the density of the composites. The SiC interphase not only protected carbon fibers effectively from erosion by carbo-thermal reduction, but also enhanced the mechanical properties of C/ZrC composites by strengthening the interface bond. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of C/ZrC composites with SiC interphase prepared by two PIP cycles were 319 MPa and 18.8 MPa m1/2 respectively. The ablation properties of C/ZrC composites were with rising content of SiC interphase but then decreased when excessive. The mass loss rate and the linear recession rate of the C/ZrC composites with SiC interphase prepared by one PIP cycle were 0.0079 g/s and 0.0084 mm/s, respectively.