Work

Nature-inspired (Ti,Zr,Hf)C/SiC micro-nano composites with enhanced ablation resistance through a Gobi Desert-like protective oxide layer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: (Ti,Zr,Hf)C/SiC composites with micro-nano structure were designed inspired by the gravel–sand structure of the wind-resistant Gobi Desert to prevent air-plasma flame scouring and obtain excellent ablation resistance. Dense (Ti,Zr,Hf)C/SiC micro-nano composites were synthesized via pyrolysis of Ti0.2–Zr0.3–Hf0.5–vinylhydridopolycarbosilane (VHPCS) precursors with different contents of (Ti0.33Zr0.33Hf0.34)C micropowders and sintered at 2200 °C. During heat treatment, the elemental diffusion between micropowders and polymer-derived ceramics leads to the formation of a single-phase (Ti0.32Zr0.32Hf0.36)C solid solution with both micro- and nano-grains. Compared with the micro composites, micro-nano composites exhibit enhanced ablation resistance at approximately 2200 °C, with negative linear and mass ablation rates of −0.12 μm/s and −1.01 mg/s, respectively. This improvement results from the formation of a stable and dense protective oxide layer consisting of microscale (Ti,Zr,Hf)O2 skeletons derived from (Ti0.32Zr0.32Hf0.36)Cmicro, uniformly dispersed (Ti,Zr,Hf)O2 nanoparticles derived from (Ti0.32Zr0.32Hf0.36)Cnano, and a SiO2/(Zr,Hf)TiO4 phase matrix. The refractory (Ti,Zr,Hf)O2 microskeletons and nanoparticles collectively protect the molten matrix from air-plasma flame scouring, similar to the wind-resistant mechanism of the Gobi Desert, in which multisized gravel stabilizes the mobile sands.

Source: Journal of Advanced Ceramics

DOI: 10.26599/jac.2025.9221151