The mechanical properties of C/C-ZrC-SiC composites after laser ablation

Considering practical environment, the bending property of C/C-ZrC-SiC, C/C-SiC and C/C composites after ablation was worthily studied. Results revealed that C/C-ZrC-SiC composites had a better laser ablation resistance and higher bending strength retention compared with C/C-SiC and C/C composites. The mass loss rate and ablated depth of C/C-ZrC-SiC composites was - 0.09% and 190.377 & mu;m, respectively. The retention of bending strength of C/C-ZrC-SiC composites was 217.67 & PLUSMN; 44.12 MPa, whose strength decreased by 3.57% compared with that of as-prepared C/C-ZrC-SiC composites. The excellent anti-ablation property and residual bending strength of C/C-ZrC-SiC composites were attributed to the lowest ablative temperature and the effective protection of the ZrO2 grain and ZrO2-SiO2 layer, which were formed by oxidation of ZrC-SiC, evaporation of SiO2, migration of liquid ZrO2-SiO2 and the infiltrated as well as grown ZrO2. However, the fracture behavior transformation of composites from pseudo-plastic rupture to brittle rupture was induced by the ablation damage.