Fabrication of ZrB₂-SiC and its Related Composites by SPS and Their Oxidation Behavior

Abstract

ZrB₂ is a leading candidate for TPS for re-entry vehicles due to its high melting point, thermal shock resistance, and low density. ZrB₂ does not fully possess oxidation resistance necessary for surviving the re-entry condition. It improves oxidation resistance when composited with SiC and can withstand the intense oxidation environment caused by aerodynamic heating during re-entry. In order to develop TPS, high-density ZrB₂-SiC with different composition ratios were fabricated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS). In this research, ZrB₂-SiC and related materials of UHTC, TiB₂-SiC and TiC-ZrC, were fabricated by SPS and oxidation behavior was evaluated.