Work

Enhanced oxidation resistance at 1700 °C of Cf-ZrB2/SiC composites via NbB2/NbC layered coatings

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Carbon fibre reinforced ZrB 2 /SiC composites, produced via slurry infiltration and hot pressing, were coated with metallic niobium by means of magnetron sputtering. The coated substrates revealed an average coating thickness of ∼13 µm (as-coated specimens). Vacuum annealing at 1800 °C in a graphite vacuum furnace induced the transformation of the coating to a layered NbC-NbB 2 system (annealed specimens). Oxidation experiments were carried out at 1500 °C and 1700 °C in controlled dry air with baseline material, as-coated, and annealed specimens. The results revealed the beneficial effect of the Nb coating in stabilizing and preserving B 2 O 3 even at 1700 °C, considerably slowing oxidation kinetics of the ZrB 2 /SiC matrix material and the incorporated carbon fibres. Thanks to the chemical compatibility between the coating and the UHTC substrate, and the good adhesion of the coating, these materials do not suffer from typical CMCs-related issues, such as coating spallation. The oxidation mechanisms were discussed in detail.

Source: Corrosion Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113521

Authors: Antonio Vinci, Jan Erik Foerster, Ravisankar Naraparaju, Diletta Sciti

Institutions: Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Florida Campus, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

Language: English

Topic: Advanced ceramic materials synthesis

Subfield: Ceramics and Composites

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070

Funders: Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca, Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito