Effects of pyrocarbon matrix type on the microstructure and properties of C/ZrC composites

摘要

Three porous C/C preforms with various carbon matrix type (deposited PyC, vitreous carbon and pitch derived carbon), and reinforced by three-dimensional needled felt, were used to prepare C/ZrC composites via reactive melt infdtration of zirconium. C/ZrC composites prepared from pitch derived C/C preform obtained the highest density of 3.31 g/cm3 and lowest porosity of 9.8%. The deposited carbon matrix can protect the carbon fiber from melt erosion at high temperatures, leading to the higher flexural strength and modulus of 203 MPa and 15.5 GPa. But the C/ZrC fabricated by the phenolic resin derived C/C exhibited the poorest mechanical properties because of the weak interface bonding strength and carbon fiber degradation. And the composites exhibited the poorest anti-ablation properties because the amorphous vitreous carbon was easier to be oxidized and eroded than the others. But pitch derived composites displayed the best anti-ablation properties, with linear recession rate of 0.0053 mm/s and mass loss rate of 0.0035 g/s, close to those of deposited carbon derived composites.