Modification and ablation behaviors of ultrahigh temperature ceramic matrix composites

The development of hypersonic vehicles requires ultrahigh temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) for their thermal protection system. The effective way to fabricate the UHTCMCs is to enhance the ablation resistance of coatings and matrix of C/SiC composites. In this paper, we briefly introduced the fabrication of C/SiC composites and their ablation behaviors. The modification of the coatings and matrix of C/SiC composites by adding single- or multi-UHTC components was reviewed, and their ablation behaviors as well. The results indicated that the refractory borides or carbides, such as ZrB₂, ZrC, TaC and HfC, which were good candidates to enhance the high temperature resistance and the ablation resistance. Base on the requirements of multiple ablation resistance for future reentry vehicles, the modification of UHTCMCs to meet these requirements was also reported. The preliminary results of multiple ablation under oxyacetylene torch flame were given.