Microstructure and ablation behavior of Zr-based ultra-high-temperature gradient composites

To obtain high-performance Zr-based ultra-high-temperature composites,Zr-based ultra-high-temperature gradient composites were prepared by changing the laying method of the infiltrant via reactive melt infiltration.The effects of different infiltrant laying methods on the microstructure and ablative properties of Zr-based ultrahigh-temperature gradient composites were investigated.The results showed that the gradient structure of the Zr-based ultrahigh-temperature gradient composites differed when the composition ratio of the infiltrant was changed.When the thicknesses of the Zr/Mo/Si layers were 6/4/12 mm and 8/2/12 mm,the SiMoZrC solid solution content in the samples increased and decreased along the infiltration direction,respectively.The gradient samples were ablated in an oxyacetylene flame at 3000°C for 40 s.The ablation resistance of the sample was the highest when the infiltrant was a powder and the thickness of the Zr/Mo/Si layer was 6/4/12 mm.

Prediction on Carbon/Carbon Composites Ablative Performance by Artificial Neutral Net

A preliminary estimation of ablation property for carbon-carbon composites by artificial neutral net （ANN） method was presented. It was found that the carbon-carbon composites＇ density, degree of graphitization and the sort of matrix are the key controlling factors for its ablative performance. Then, a brief fuzzy mathematical relationship was established between these factors and ablative performance. Through experiments, the performance of the ANN was evaluated, which was used in the ablative performance prediction of C/C composites. When the training set, the structure and the training parameter of the net change, the best match ratio of these parameters was achieved. Based on the match ratio, this paper forecasts and evaluates the carbon-carbon ablation performance. Through experiences, the ablative performance prediction of carbon-carbon using ANN can achieve the line ablation rate, which satisfies the need of precision of practical engineering fields.

Preparation and properties of C/C-ZrB2-SiC composites by high-solid-loading slurry impregnation and polymer infiltration and pyrolysis（PIP）

Ultrahigh-temperature ceramics were added to C/C composites to meet their application requirement in a high-temperature oxidizing environment. C/C-ZrB2-SiC composites were fabricated by high-solid-loading slurry impregnation with polymer infiltration and pyrolysis. The dispersion and rheological behavior of ZrB2 slurry and the microstructural, mechanical, and ablation properties of the C/C-ZrB2-SiC composites were investigated. Results indicated that a well-dispersed and low-viscosity ZrB2 slurry was obtained using 0.40 wt.% polyethyleneimine as a dispersant at pH 5. Ceramics were uniformly distributed in the short-cut fiber layer and needle-punched area. The flexural strength of the C/C-ZrB2-SiC composites was 309.30 MPa. The composites exhibited satisfactory ablation resistance under the oxyacetylene flame of 2500℃, and the mass and linear ablation rates were 0.40 mg/s and 0.91 μm/s, respectively. A continuous and compact Zr O2 layer, which could effectively reduce the diffusion rate of oxygen and protect the composites from being ablated, was formed.

Effect of Oxygen Partial Pressure on Epitaxial Growth and Properties of Laser-Ablated AZO Thin Films

Al-doped ZnO（AZO） thin films were grown on c-sapphire substrates by laser ablation under different oxygen partial pressures（P_（O2））.The effect of P_（O2） on the crystal structure,preferred orientation as well as the electrical and optical properties of the films was investigated.The structure characterizations indicated that the as-grown films were single-phased with a wurtzite ZnO structure,showing a significant c-axis orientation.The films were well crystallized and exhibited better crystallinity and denser texture when deposited at higher P_（O2）.At the optimum oxygen partial pressures of 10- 15 Pa,the AZO thin films were epitaxially grown on c-sapphire substrates with the（0001） plane parallel to the substrate surface,i e,the epitaxial relationship was AZO（000 1） // A1_2O_3（000 1）.With increasing P_（O2）,the value of Hall carrier mobility was increased remarkably while that of carrier concentration was decreased slightly,which led to an enhancement in electrical conductivity of the AZO thin films.All the films were highly transparent with an optical transmittance higher than 85%.

Thermal properties and high-temperature ablation of high-entropy (Ti_(0.25)V_(0.25)Zr_(0.25)Hf_(0.25))B_(2) coating on graphite substrate

An entropy-stabilized multicomponent ultrahigh-temperature ceramic(UHTC)coating,(Ti_(0.25)V_(0.25)Zr_(0.25)Hf_(0.25))B_(2),on a graphite substrate was in-situ sintered by spark plasma sintering(SPs)from constituent transition metal diboride powders.The(Ti_(0.25)V_(0.25)Zr_(0.25)Hf_(0.25))B_(2) coating had a hardness of 31.2±2.1 GPa and resisted 36.9 GPa of stress before delamination,as observed at the interface.The temperature-dependent thermal properties of the multicomponent diboride(Ti_(0.25)V_(0.25)Zr_(0.25)Hf_(0.25))B_(2) were obtained by molecular dynamics(MD)simulations driven by a machine learning force field(MLFF)trained on density functional theory(DFT)calculations.The thermal conductivity,density,heat capacity,and coefficient of thermal expansion obtained by the MD simulations were used in time-dependent thermal stress finite element model(FEM)simulations.The low thermal conductivity(<6.52 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1))of the multicomponent diboride coupled with its similar coefficient of thermal expansion to that of graphite indicated that stresses of less than 10 GPa were generated at the interface at high temperatures,and therefore,the coating was mechanically resistant to the thermal stress induced during ablation.Ablation experiments at 220℃ showed that the multicomponent diboride coating was resistant to thermal stresses with no visible cracking or delamination.The ablation mechanisms were mechanical denudation and evaporation of B_(2)O_(5) and light V-Ti oxides,which caused a decrease in the mass and thickness of the coating and resulted in mass and linear ablation rates of-0.51 mg·s^(-1) and -1.38μm·s^(-1),respectively,after 60 s.These findings demonstrated the thermal and mechanical stability of multicomponent entropy-stabilized diborides as coatings for carbon materials in engineering components under extreme environments.

Salt-fog corrosion behavior of C/SiC and its effect on ablation resistance

Carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide(C/SiC) composites are significantly important candidates for thermal protection materials. The corrosion mechanism of C/SiC composite materials is the basis of their optimization and application. In this study, structural evolution of C/SiC composites fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration was investigated in the salt-fog storage environment. Furthermore, the effect of salt-fog on their ablation behaviors under oxyacetylene flame environment was studied. The ablation morphologies and corrosion mechanisms of C/SiC composites were analyzed and discussed. The results indicated that silica layer with size of c.a. 20 nm was formed on the surface of composite. The extent of corrosion in salt fog was limited, and it had little effect on the ablation behavior of the C/SiC composites,as well on the tensile strength and bending strength.

Ablation Mechanism of HfC-HfO2Protective Coating for SiC-Coated C/C Composites in an Oxyacetylene Torch Environment

To prevent the C/C composites from ablation, HfC-HfO2 protective coating was prepared by supersonic atmospheric plasma spraying. The morphology and microstructure of HfC-HfO2 coating were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The ablation resistance test was carried out by an oxyacetylene torch. The results show that the as-prepared coating is dense with little pinholes and crack free. The elements Hf, C and O were uniformly distributed in the cross-section. After ablation for different time, the mass ablation rate fluctuated along with the change of ablation time. The ablation process of the surface coating could be divided into rapid oxidation and solid state sintering stages. During ablation, an Hf CxOy-HfO2 transitional layer was generated in the coating, which resulted from the active oxidation of Hf C. After cooling, some microcracks were observed on the surface of coating, and the structure of cross-section was broken, which were due to the phase transition of HfO2.

Comparison of ablative and compressive mechanical behavior of several PICA-like ablative materials

It is significant to compare the ablative and compressive mechanical behavior of different PICA-like materials in the engineering applications.The plasma wind tunnel ablation tests with high-entropy air and CO2 atmospheres,and compressive experiments in the ambient and 150℃,were conducted for three kinds of PICA-like materials(CF/PR-Si,CBCF/PR-SiOC and NQF/PR-Si composites).The traditional carbon/phenolic(C/PR)braided composites were also used for comparison.PICA-like materials have the better thermal insulation than traditional C/PR composite,especially for CBCF/PR-SiOC composite.The ablation behavior of CF/PR-Si and CBCF/PR-SiOC PICA-like materials in the CO2 atmosphere can produce a large amount of SiO2 in the form of coatings,oxide layers and skeletons on the ablated surface,which are greatly different from that in the air atmosphere.The compressive behavior of PICA-like material is greatly depended on the fiber fabrics,and exhibits the large discrete characteristics.The longer fiber in the PICA-like materials plays the role in maintaining the material integrity,while it may increase the thermal conductivity.