In situ synthesized carbide for reaction joining C/C composites by spark plasma sintering

Abstract C/C composites were reaction‐joined with Ti/Zr powder as interlayer by spark plasma sintering in this study. Ti powder in situ reaction joint was achieved at 1600°C for 30 min with pressure of 50 MPa, while Zr powder in situ reaction joint was accomplished at 1800°C for the same time and pressure. Both their sintering temperature was below melting point. Microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. TiC or ZrC ceramics interlayer were in situ synthesized in the reaction joint, corresponding average shear strength was 17.78 ± 1.23 and 16.56 ± 1.14 MPa, respectively. The fracture occurred along the C/C interface and inside the ceramics interlayer, and the center layer with inadequate carbonization contributed to joint strength due to its better plasticity.