Synthesis and pyrolysis of a novel preceramic polymer PZMS from PMS to fabricate high-temperature-resistant ZrC/SiC ceramic composite

As a valuable ultra‐high‐temperature ceramic (UHTC), ZrC was introduced to SiC ceramic for the preparation of high‐temperature‐resistant ZrC/SiC composite by a polymer‐derived method through the reaction between Cp2Zr(CH=CH2)2 and polymethylsilane (PMS). The composition, structure, element distribution and pyrolysis process of the preceramic polymer polyzirconomethylsilane (PZMS) were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, gel permeation chromatography, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained ZrC/SiC ceramic composites had very good high‐temperature resistance with a weight loss of 7.1% after being subjected to temperatures ranging from 1200 to 2200°C, as the introduction of ZrC prevented the fast growth of crystalline β‐SiC. The ceramic composites prepared by this method were homogeneous with well‐distributed element components, and the ceramic yield reached as high as 78.4%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ZrC/SiC ceramic composites were prepared from a novel precursor PZMS synthesized by the reaction between Cp2Zr(CH = CH2)2 and PMS. The ceramic yield was 78.4% and the obtained well‐distributed ZrC/SiC ceramic composites had very good high‐temperature resistance. Fig. SEM graph and element distribution of PZMS precursor‐derived powders heated at 1600°C