Effect of Post Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of C_f/ZrC Composites

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced zirconium carbide ceramic matrix composites (Cf/ZrC) were fabricated by reactive melt infiltration at relative low temperature, C/C composites as substrate, Zr2Cu alloy as infiltrator. Effect of post heat treatment on microstructure and properties of Cf/ZrC composites was investigated. The results show that after different temperature heat treatments at 1400-2200℃, the density of the composites decreases, and the porosity increases. During post heat treating, the residual copper rich melt in the composites evaporates, the volume fraction of ZrC matrix increases and the damage to the microstructure of ZrC matrix occurs. The mechanical properties of the composite decrease after post heat treatments. The flexural strength retention rate of the composites is only 52.3%, when the heat treatment temperature reaches 2200℃.

Keywords

• C_f/ZrC composite
• heat treatment
• microstructure
• property