SiC Nanowires Toughed HfC Ablative Coating for C/C Composites.

In order to improve ablation resistance of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, SiC nanowires were prepared on C/C composites surface in prior through chemical vapor reaction before HfC coating. SiC nanowires grew randomly and had good combination with HfC coating. SiC nanowires toughed HfC coating had lower linear and mass ablation rates than original HfC coating. The surface was much flatter and exhibited smaller cracks in center region. The ablation mechanism of HfC coating has been changed by SiC nanowires. Thicker HfO 2 fused layer was formed on the surface of the toughed HfC coating, which could provide efficient protection for C/C composites. Therefore, SiC nanowires toughed HfC coating behaved in better ablation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]