Ablation properties of Cf/SiCp-Al self-transpiration cooling composites

Abstract The high-temperature application of Cf/SiCp-Al composites requires the evaluation of the self-transpiration cooling behaviour and ablation property during high temperature erosion. The 3D needle-punched Cf/SiCp-Al composites were prepared through a powder slurry injection technique and a vacuum pressure infiltration method. An erosion test was conducted by oxy-acetylene flame. The microstructure evolution was studied by SEM and EDS. The anti-ablation performance and transpiration cooling behavior underlying the 3D needle-punched Cf/SiCp-Al composites at different ablation times were studied. The obtained results showed that the self-transpiration Cf/SiCp-Al composites significantly reduced the ablation surface temperature. The ablation products Al2O3 and SiO2 provided good self-sealing protection for Cf/SiCp skeleton during the ablation process. The Cf/SiCp-Al composites exhibited a better anti-ablation performance compared with the widely used C/C composite.