Synthesis and characterization of a novel precursor‐derived ZrC/ZrB₂ ultra‐high‐temperature ceramic composite

Abstract

ZrC and ZrB 2 , two valuable members of ultra‐high‐temperature ceramics (UHTCs), are potentially useful as structural materials in aerospace engineering and hypersonic flight vehicles. This work focused on the preparation of ZrC/ZrB 2 UHTC composite by employing a precursor‐derived method. The precursor polymer PZCB was synthesized by the reaction between Cp 2 Zr(CH═CH 2 ) 2 and borane. The composition, structure, element distribution and pyrolysis process of PZCB were investigated by NMR, IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and TGA. The ceramic yield was 50% and the obtained well‐distributed ZrC/ZrB 2 ceramic composites had very good high‐temperature resistance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.