• Journal of Inorganic Materials
  • Vol. 40, Issue 3, 271 (2025)
Ziwei LI1,2, Weilu GONG1,2, Haifeng CUI1, Li YE1,*..., Weijian HAN1 and Tong ZHAO1,2|Show fewer author(s)
Author Affiliations
  • 11. Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on High-tech Polymer Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
  • 22. College of Chemisty, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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    DOI: 10.15541/jim20240385 Cite this Article
    Ziwei LI, Weilu GONG, Haifeng CUI, Li YE, Weijian HAN, Tong ZHAO. (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C-SiC Composite Ceramics: Preparation via Precursor Route and Properties [J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(3): 271 Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    High-entropy carbide (HEC) ceramics are distinguished by their high hardness, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high thermal conductivity, positioning them as promising candidates for application in extreme environments. However, inherent brittleness of these high-entropy ceramics limits their further application. In order to enhance the toughness of HEC ceramics, polycarbosilane (PCS), a precursor of silicon carbide (SiC), was added into the precursor of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C high-entropy ceramic. The in-situ formed SiC (SiCi) by pyrolysis of PCS can serve as reinforcement for HEC ceramics. The results demonstrate that the volume fraction of SiC in the ceramics obtained from the pyrolysis of PCS is 23.38%. The SiC phases, with an average grain size of 1.19 μm, are evenly distributed in the high-entropy ceramic matrix. The pyrolysis process of ceramic precursors was investigated, revealing that the pyrolysis products of PCS exit as amorphous Ox-Si-Cy at low pyrolysis temperature, while a crystalline SiC phase emerges when the pyrolysis temperature exceeds 1500 ℃. Bulk (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C-SiCi ceramic was prepared by hot-pressing of precursor-derived ceramic powders obtained through pyrolysis at 1600 ℃. Mechanical properties of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C-SiCi ceramic bulk were investigated, and composite ceramic bulks toughened by commercial silicon carbide nanopowders or silicon carbide whiskers were also prepared for comparison. Compared with (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C ceramic, all composite ceramic bulks exhibit enhanced flexural strength and toughness. Notably, the in-situ generated SiCivia precursor-derived method shows the most significant toughening effect. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C-SiCi ceramic are (698±9) MPa and (7.9±0.6) MPa·m1/2, respectively, representing improvements of 17.71% and 41.07% compared to that of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C ceramic bulk. Taking all above data into comprehensive account, the improvement is mainly due to the small grain size and uniform distribution of SiC in the composite ceramics prepared via precursor-derived method, which enhance energy consumption and hinder crack propagation under external stress.
    Ziwei LI, Weilu GONG, Haifeng CUI, Li YE, Weijian HAN, Tong ZHAO. (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W)C-SiC Composite Ceramics: Preparation via Precursor Route and Properties [J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(3): 271
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