Strong associations between composition and plasma ablation behavior in C/C-Hf1-xTaxC composites

Abstract

In this work, C/C composites modified by Hf_1-xTa_xC solid solution with different compositions were successfully prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis, and their ablation properties under plasma flame at 2300 °C were investigated. Impressively, C/C-Hf_1-xTa_xC composites when x = 0.6 exhibit superior anti-ablation behavior, which is attributed to the dense oxide layer formed by the solid phase of Hf₆Ta₂O₁₇ and the liquid phase of Ta₂O₅, effectively resisting the scouring of plasma flame and the penetration of reactive substance. This work provides a fundamental understanding between composition and plasma ablation performance of C/C-Hf_1-xTa_xC composites.