Processing, Microstructure and Properties of ZrC Ceramic Composites

ZrC ceramic composites have been proposed for a variety of applications in super-hard, thermal protection and new energy fields due to their excellent properties, such as high melting point, low density and good ablation resistance. The preparation techniques for ZrC cements, composite ceramics and fiber reinforced ZrC composites are reviewed, including powder sintering, precursor infiltration and pyrolysis and reactive melt infiltration. The effects of processing on microstructure of ZrC composite are discussed. Mechanical properties and ablation properties of ZrC ceramic composites are summarized. The problems, low toughness and spalling of ablation layer, for ZrC cements, composite ceramics and fiber reinforced ZrC composites are proposed, respectively. Finally, the trend of researches on ZrC ceramic composites is also prospected.