Microstructural study of oxidation of carbon-rich amorphous boron carbide coating

Carbon-rich amorphous boron carbide (B x C) coatings were annealed at 400°C, 700°C, 1000°C and 1200°C for 2 h in air atmosphere. The microstructure and composition of the as-deposited and annealed coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). All of the post-anneal characterizations demonstrated the ability of carbon-rich B x C coatings to protect the graphite substrate against oxidation. Different oxidation modes of the coatings were found at low temperature (400°C), moderate temperature (700°C) and high temperature (1000°C and 1200°C). Finally, the feasibility of the application of carbon-rich BxC instead of pyrolytic carbon (PyC) as a fiber/matrix interlayer in ceramics-matrix composites (CMCs) is discussed here. © Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH 2008.