Preparation and characterization of nanoscale ZrB2/carbon-resol composite for protection against high-temperature corrosion

An advanced method combines using ZrB2 ceramic nanoparticles as filler within the carbon fiber-resol type-phenolic resin (C/Ph) composite for the superior ablation properties of thermal protection systems. The oxy-acetylene torch test suggested that ZrB2 nanoparticles could effectively protect C/Ph composite from ablation at 2,000 A degrees C for 160 s. The ablation rate decreased when C/Ph composite was filled with 7 mass% of ZrB2 ceramic nanoparticles (Zr/C/Ph) over unfilled composite. In comparison to neat C/Ph composite, the introduction of nanosized ZrB2 particles embedded in the matrix significantly improved the ablative properties in terms of mass loss and erosion rate. During oxidation and ablation, the interface between carbon matrix and fiber is effectively protected by ZrO2 due to the reaction of ZrB2 with the oxygen, and the resultant zirconium oxide may form a film to resist the oxygen at high temperature.