Ablation behavior of HfC coatings modified by novel Hf_xTa_1-xC solid solution nanowires under oxyacetylene flame

HfC exhibits great potential for ablation resistant coating of carbon/carbon composites due to its ultra-high melting point and high temperature resistance. In this work, we proposed to develop the novel Hf_xTa_1-xC solid solution nanowires with perfect ultra-high temperature property and unique one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures to modify HfC coating for further improved ablation resistance of the coating. Results showed that the novel Hf_0.5Ta_0.5C solid solution nanowires exhibited excellent ablation resistance, which could maintain 1D morphology under oxyacetylene flame ablation above 2100 °C. In addition, the morphology of Hf_0.5Ta_0.5C solid solution nanowire layer exhibited significant effect on the morphology and ablation behavior of coatings. The linear ablation rate of HfC anti-ablation coating with porous Hf_0.5Ta_0.5C solid solution nanowire layer decreased by 60.87 % compared with that without nanowires. Our works provide a basis for enhancing the protective ability of coatings under severe ablation environments.