Rapidly achieving a reliable full-ceramic interface of ZrC-SiC composite using Ti interlayer via pulsed electric current joining

A reliable full-ceramic interface of ZrC-SiC composite was achieved rapidly at low temperature via pulsed electric current joining. Using a Ti foil as joining interlayer, the Zr and Si atoms reacted with Ti to form Ti3Zr3Si3, while the dissolved C precipitated in form of TiC. The current delivering during joining promoted the atomic diffusion and caused the preferential growth of TiC, rapidly achieving a full-ceramic interface at 1300 ℃. Evaluating the reliability by Weibull distribution, the full-ceramic interface exhibited a considerable characteristic strength of 178 MPa, and its reliability was better than the raw ZrC-SiC composite. The in-situ formed ceramic interface toughened the joint via the mechanism of multi-cracking, crack deflection and termination. The proposed method provides a practical technology for the rapid joining of ultra-high temperature composites or the construction of layered composites with high toughness at low temperature.