Dynamic oxidation of ultra-high temperature ZrB2–SiC under high enthalpy supersonic flows

Abstract The dynamic response to oxidation of a hot-pressed ZrB 2  + 15 vol%. SiC ceramic composite was studied under aero-thermal heating using a high enthalpy supersonic flow of a N 2 /O 2 gas mixture in plasma wind tunnel. Microstructural features of the reaction scale developed upon oxidation were analyzed and correlated to test conditions through Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. The significant heat flux and temperature gradients of the sample’s surface exposed to the highly energized N 2 /O 2 gas stream led to the formation and evolution of distinct layered oxide sub-scales. The diffusion of oxidants through silica-rich 3D glassy network was proposed as the rate governing factor for oxidation.