Long-term oxidation resistance and high-temperature load-bearing capacity of ceramizable composite modified by Ti3SiC2 from 600 °C to 1600 °C

Carbon fiber/boron phenolic resin composites are candidate thermal protection materials for hypersonic vehicles yet exhibit poor oxidation resistance and high-temperature load-bearing capacity. Herein, a novel Ti₃SiC₂ modified ceramizable composite was fabricated via a facile prepreg hot-pressing technique. After static aerobic ablation from 600 to 1600 °C for 20 min, the flexural strength kept above 40 MPa, indicating an excellent long-term oxidation resistance and high-temperature load-bearing capacity over a wide temperature range. The ceramizable filler and boron phenolic resin (BPR) was oxidized and in-situ converted into ceramized composite during ablation. Dense B-C-O-Si-Ti multiphase ceramic layers were in-situ formed, which functioned as oxygen barriers and self-healing agents.