SiC nanowire-toughened MoSi₂-WSi₂-SiC-Si multiphase coating for improved oxidation resistance of C/C composites

To improve the oxidation resistance of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites at high temperature, a SiC nanowire-toughened MoSi₂-WSi₂-SiC-Si multiphase coating was prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and pack cementation. The microstructure, mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of the coating were investigated. After the introduction of SiC nanowires, the elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness of the MoSi₂-WSi₂-SiC-Si coating were increased by 25.48%, 4.09% and 45.03%, respectively. The weight loss of the coated sample with SiC nanowires was deceased from 4.83–2.08% after thermal shock between 1773 K and room temperature for 30 cycles and the weight loss is only 3.24% after isothermal oxidation at 1773 K in air for 82 h. The good oxidation resistance of the coating is mainly attributed to that SiC nanowires can effectively inhibit the propagation of cracks in the coating by the toughening mechanisms including bridging and pull-out.