Preparation and Flame Ablation Resistance of Al/Zn/Cu-Incorporated Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia Coating

Al/Zn/Cu-incorporated yttria partially stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating was prepared on carbon fiber-reinforced polyimide sheets by the detonation spraying process to enhance the heat resistance of resin composites. The microstructure and phase composition of the coatings were analyzed by using XRD, SEM and XPS. The flame ablation platform was used to analyze the coating's thermal protection capabilities. The coating failure process and the protection mechanisms of Al, Zn, and Cu metals were examined and described. The results show that it is possible to prepare dense coatings with good bonding between layers using detonation spraying. In the working layer, both Al and Zn additive phases were oxidized to some extent and the oxidation products were Al₂O₃ and ZnO. Al and Zn play the role of melting and heat absorption to lower the temperature, and the newly generated Al₂O₃, ZnO and CuO under the high temperature play the role of repairing the cracks in the coatings, slowing down the growth of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) as well as the role of heat insulation.