Fabrication and comparison of 3D Cf/ZrC–SiC composites using ZrC particles/polycarbosilane and ZrC precursor/polycarbosilane

The fabrication of ZrC–SiC powders was studied and two kinds of ZrC–SiC powders were successfully obtained using ZrC particles/polycarbosilane and ZrC precursor/polycarbosilane. The reactions were substantially completed at a relatively low temperature (∼1500 °C). The phase formation, crystallite size and morphology of the synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Two kinds of three-dimensional needled Cf/ZrC–SiC composites were successfully fabricated from ZrC particles/polycarbosilane and ZrC precursor/polycarbosilane by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP). The microstructure, mechanical and high-temperature properties were studied. The flexural strength of the ZrC precursor/polycarbosilane composite was 376 MPa and its elastic modulus was 138 GPa. The mass loss and linear recession rates of the composite obtained during an oxyacetylene torch test were 0.009 g/s and −0.003 mm/s, respectively.