Mullite Oxidation Resistant Coating for SiC-coated Carbon/Carbon Composites by Supersonic Plasma Spraying

To improve the oxidation resistance of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, mullite coating was prepared on the surface of SiC-coated C/C composites by supersonic plasma spraying. Phases and microstructures of mullite coating were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The coating primarily consists of a single phase of mullite (3Al2O3−2SiO2). The SEM results show that mullite coating was continuous and well bonded with the SiC inner layer without penetrating crack. Mullite coating exhibited good oxidation resistance. After 98.5 h oxidation at 1773 K and 9 thermal shock cycles between 1773 K and room temperature, the weight loss of the coated C/C composites was only 2.57%.