Oxidative protection of carbon fibers with carborane-containing polymer

Abstract To improve the oxidation resistance of carbon fibers, a series of carborane-containing polymer-based coatings were prepared. The oxidation resistance and microstructure of the coatings were investigated. According to XPS, FT-IR and XRD analysis, the high oxidation resistance of the polymer-based coatings was attributed to the boron oxide protective layer formed from the oxidation of carborane groups in the coating. Ceramic coatings were prepared from heat treatment of polymer-based coatings under argon at 1300 °C for 2 h. The great oxidation resistance of the ceramic coating was attributed to the existence of boron carbide in coating.