Isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of a sandwiched coating for C/C composites

A ZrC–SiC/TiC–SiC/SiC sandwich-structured coating is prepared on a C/C composite by pack cementation methods. The microstructures of this coating are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the oxidation resistance is investigated by performing an oxidation test at 1773 K and a cyclic oxidation test. The results show that the mass losses are 7.4% and 3.8% after oxidation for 144 h and 40 cycles, respectively. The sandwich structure relaxes, releases the thermal stress caused by the mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion, and absorbs energy to prevent the initiation and propagation of cracks. The ZrC–SiC/TiC–SiC/SiC coating exhibits good isothermal oxidation resistance and excellent cyclic oxidation protection properties.