Preparation and properties of C/SiC composites reinforced by high thermal conductivity graphite films

Ablation resistance as an important factor affecting the service life of SiC ceramic matrix composites that is highly valued. In this study, Three C/SiC composites reinforced by high thermal conductivity (HTC) graphite films and carbon fiber cloth were fabricated by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) technology, to improve the ablation resistance of C/SiC composites. The quantity ratios of carbon fiber cloth to HTC graphite film was 1:0, 1:1, and 1:10. The microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and ablation performance of C/SiC composites after plasma ablation test at 1500 °C for 600 s were investigated. The results indicated that with the increase of graphite films' contents, the in-plane thermal conductivity of composites was increased from 9.78 W/(m·K) to 333.34 W/(m·K). Meantime, the mass loss rate reduced from 1.18 to 0.74 mg/s and the linear ablation rate reduced from 0.64 to 0.18 mm/s, revealing that the addition of graphite films could effectively improve the ablation resistance of C/SiC composites. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.