Structure, properties and oxidation resistance of prospective HfB2–SiC based ceramics

The paper focuses on obtaining a heterophase powdered and sintered ceramics based on hafnium diboride and silicon carbide by combined self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and hot pressing (HP). The structure of the synthesized SHS powder consists of hafnium diboride grains and agglomerated polyhedral 2–6 μm silicon carbide grains. The powders obtained had an average particle size of ~10 μm with a maximum value of 30 μm. Phase compositions were identical for the ceramics sintered by hot pressing and the synthesized powder. The resulting compact featured by a high degree of structural and chemical uniformity, porosity of 3.8 %, hardness of 19.8±0.4 GPa, strength of 597±59 MPa, and fracture toughness of 8.8±0.4 MPa·m1/2. Plasma torch testing (PTT) was carried out to determine the oxidation resistance under the influence of a high-enthalpy gas flow. The phase composition and surface microstructure of the compact after testing were investigated. The HP compact demonstrated an outstanding resistance to the high-temperature gas flow at 2150 °С and heat flow density of 5.6 MW/m2 for 300 s. A dense protective oxide layer 30–40 μm thick was formed on the surface of HfB2–SiC ceramics during the plasma torch testing. The layer consisted of a scaffold formed by HfO2 oxide grains with a space between them filled with SiO2–B2O3 amorphous borosilicate glass. The HfB2–SiC SHS composite powder was hot pressed to produce experimental samples of model bushings for the combustion chamber of a low thrust liquid rocket engine designed for PTT in the environment close to actual operating conditions.