Novel “Z-pins like” vanadium rods prepared by solid phase sintering to improve ablation resistance of the C/C-ZrC-SiC composites

Novel "Z-pins like" vanadium rods (V rods) were prepared as oxide compensators to improve ablation resstance of the C/C-ZrC-SiC composites. The microstructure and anti-ablation performance were investigated. Results show that the solid phase sintering promoted the formation of a good interface between the "Z-pins like" V rods and C/C-ZrC-SiC composites, and the generation of VC and Si3V5 (anti-oxidant phases) in the "Z-pins like" V rods. The unique "Z-pins like" V rods changed the local oxidation rate, and flow regime of the formed vanadium oxide with high melting point. And the liquid vanadium oxide flowed radially to the surface of the C/C-ZrC-SiC replacing SiO2 with the self-healing capability and effectivelly healed the holes and cracks. Finally, a dense and homogeneous zirconium/vanadium compound oxides film was genearated to improve the ablation resistance of C/C-ZrC-SiC without any mass and thickness reduction.