C/C–SiC–ZrC composites fabricated by reactive melt infiltration with Si0.87Zr0.13 alloy

Carbon fiber reinforced carbon–silicon carbide–zirconium carbide (C/C–SiC–ZrC) composites were prepared by reactive melt infiltration (RMI) with Si0.87Zr0.13 alloy. Carbon fiber felt was firstly infiltrated by carbon using chemical vapour infiltration to obtain a porous carbon/carbon (C/C) skeleton. The molten Si0.87Zr0.13 alloy was then infiltrated into the porous C/C to obtain C/C–SiC–ZrC composites. The C–SiC–ZrC matrix showed a gradient structure with deposited carbon and SiC close to the fiber tows. It has been found that the C/C–SiC–ZrC showed a high strength, good oxidation resistance, and excellent ablation resistance. These properties are attributed to the gradient matrix structure.