Temperature-dependent oxidation kinetics and mechanical properties degradation of Cf/ZrB2-SiC composites

• Published in: Corrosion science 2023-11, Vol.224, p.111479, Article 111479
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhangwen, Wang, Bing, Li, Sai, Jin, Xiangyu, Zhang, Xinghong, Meng, Songhe, Fang, Guodong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fracture mode; In-situ tensile; Microstructure evolution; Oxidation kinetics; Oxidation mechanisms
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2023.111479

The oxidation kinetics and microstructures evolution of Cf/ZrB2-SiC composites are investigated by experimental characterizations. An empirical model containing multi-reaction systems is further established for predicting the specimen mass evolution during isothermal oxidantion. Based on the morphological observations and in-situ tensile responses, three oxidation mechanisms of carbon phase controlled by reaction and diffusion kinetic are categorized as uniform, non-uniform and superficial oxidation. The relationship between fracture modes and internal fibers microstructures indicates that the structural origin of the fracture mode transition is the toughening mechanism transition of fibers on the ceramics matrix induced by oxidative damage. •The oxidation kinetics, microstructures evolution, and effect of oxidation damage on residual properties of Cf/ZrB2-SiC composites are investigated by experimental characterizations.•An empirical model containing multi-reaction systems of Cf/ZrB2-SiC composites is established for predicting the mass evolution during oxidation.•Three oxidation mechanisms of carbon phase controlled by reaction and diffusion kinetic are revealed as uniform, non-uniform and superficial oxidation.•The toughening mechanism transition of fibers on the ceramics matrix induced by oxidative damage has been revealed as the root of the fracture mode transition.