Research progress in antioxidation and anti-ablation coatings of carbon-based materials: A review

Carbon materials (graphite or C/C composites) are widely used in aerospace applications due to their unique performance advantages, including low density, high specific strength and low coefficients of thermal expansion. However, carbon materials are highly susceptible to destructive oxidation in high-temperature oxygen-containing environments, limiting their application scope and service life. Coating technology is an effective approach for solving the above problem, and ceramic coatings are the most widely used protective system. In this review, the latest research progress regarding different types of silicon carbide-based antioxidation and anti-ablation ceramic coatings on the surfaces of carbon materials is described, and the protective properties and mechanism analysis of the SiC and modified SiC coatings by ultrahigh-temperature ceramic borides, carbides, silicides and other reinforcements are elucidated. In addition, the current main challenges of ceramic coatings are carefully analysed, and the perspectives for the future development of ceramic protection coatings are also discussed.