Enhanced oxidation properties of ZrB2-SiC composite with short carbon fibers at 1600 degrees C

This study investigated the effect of short carbon fiber (C-f) on the oxidation behavior of ZrB2-SiC composites with fiber volume fractions in the range of 0-20%. Precisely, highly dense composite compacts were manufactured by hot-press process at 2000 degrees C and 30 MPa for 60min. The addition of C-f increased the relative density of sintered composite The oxidation treatment at 1600 degrees C in air tube furnace for 0.5 h revealed that oxidation rate of ZrB2-SiC-C-f composites decreased from 292.4 mu m/h to 77.6 mu m/h (almost 73.5% decline), when the content of Cf changed from 0 to 20%. Moreover, C-f played important roles in blocking and deflecting oxygen diffusion during the oxidation process, which provided a local reduction environment of oxidation products.