Microstructure and Ablation Property of a Carbon/Carbon–ZrC Composite Fabricated by Reactive Melt Infiltration with Zr/Cu Powder Mixture

A carbon/carbon–ZrC(C/C–ZrC) composite was fabricated by reactive infiltration of a Zr–40 wt% Cu powder mixture. The C/C–ZrC composite was composed of C, ZrC, and residual Cu. Continuous ZrC layers around the pyrolytic carbon and isolated ZrC particles dispersed in Cu were detected. Linear ablation rate of the composite increased with the increase of ablation time. Ablation surface of the composite was mainly composed of monoclinic ZrO 2 , while the quantity of Cu and Cu 2 O decreased with the increase of ablation time. The better ablation resistance of the C/C–ZrC composite was mainly attributed to the protective ZrO 2 layer and the cooling effect of Cu.