ZrC modified carbon/carbon composites using ZrSi₂ and Zr-Cu alloys as reactive infiltrating materials: A comparative investigation

To obtain the C/C-ZrC composites with good mechanical properties, rapid prototyping and low-cost preparation process, C/C-ZrC-SiC and C/C-ZrC-Cu composites were synthesized by reactive melt infiltration using ZrSi₂ and Zr-Cu alloys, respectively. A comparative investigation showed that C/C-ZrC-Cu exhibited superior mechanical properties and ablation resistance to oxyacetylene and plasma. Compared to C/C-ZrC-SiC composites, the flexural strength of C/C-ZrC-Cu composites reached 207.09 ± 22.67 MPa as the melt corrosion of the fibers was mitigated under low preparation temperature, which was 152.1 % improvement. The excellent ablation resistance of C/C-ZrC-Cu was attributed to less gas evaporation and more stable ZrO₂ film. This work highlights the viability of Zr-Cu instead of ZrSi₂ as a reactive infiltrating material, providing a novel idea of rapid synthesis of C/C-ZrC composites at a low cost while ensuring high mechanical and anti-ablation properties.