Silicon-carbide/boron-containing coatings for the oxidation protection of graphite Original Research Article

Silicon carbide with its excellent oxidation resistance and chemical compatibility with carbon is an attractive coating material for the high-temperature oxidation protection of graphite and carbon-carbon composites. One of the major challenges in the development of protective SiC coatings is preventing oxidation of the graphite substrate due to crack formation in the SiC coating. A boron-containing inner layer can prevent significant oxidation through cracks in a SiC outer layer in 1 atm oxygen for up to nine days at 1500 °C. The consistency of the oxidation protection is sensitive to the quality and uniformity of the coatings.