Effect of ZrB2-SiC ceramics composition on defect self-healing

Abstract

High thermal resistance of ZrB₂–SiC composite ceramics makes it a promising candidate for creating heat-protective structures operating at temperatures exceeding 2000 °C. A significant advantage of ZrB₂–SiC composite ceramics is self-healing of defects under cyclic temperature effects. The paper investigates self-healing of artificial defects on the surface of ZrB₂–SiC composite ceramics at 1200, 1400 and 1600 °C annealing. It is shown that the most efficient self-healing process occurs after 1600 °C annealing. It is found that defect self-healing increases due to the higher temperature and increased SiC content in composite ceramics.