As a novel member of the ultra-high temperature ceramic family, which have extremely high melting points and remarkable hardness, Ta_1-xHf_xC solid solution ceramics are promising for applications in thermal protection systems. Ta_1-xHf_xC (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0) with 2 vol% Cr₃C₂, were densified up to 98.8% at 2000 °C using a two-step spark plasma sintering process. Effect of Cr₃C₂ on the linear shrinkage of Ta_1-xHf_xC was investigated. Possible ‘eutectic’ reaction within TaCCr₃C₂ ceramic was inferred to contribute to the shrinkage at 1462 °C. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was employed to further confirm the mutual diffusion between rock-salt structured ‘CrC_x’ and TaC. Flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vicker’s hardness of Ta_1-xHf_xC ceramics were in the range of 439–492 MPa, 4.0–5.8 MPa∙m^1/2 and 14.9–19.9 GPa respectively. The coefficient of thermal expansion (in the temperature range of 25–1000 °C) and thermal conductivity (at 1000 °C) of Ta_1-xHf_xC varied from 7.17 to 7.51 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and 31.9–42.9 W/m·K, respectively. The high-temperature strength of Ta_0.5Hf_0.5C decreased to 165 MPa up to 1600 °C, approximately 34% of room-temperature strength, and a ‘zig-zag’ load-displacement curve was observed.

作为具有极高熔点和卓越硬度的超高温陶瓷家族的新型成员，Ta _{1- x} Hf _x C固溶陶瓷有望在热保护系统中应用。使用两步火花等离子体烧结工艺，在2000°C下将 含2％（体积）Cr ₃ C _2的Ta _{1- x} Hf _x C（x = 0、0.2、0.5、0.8和1.0）致密化至98.8％。研究了Cr ₃ C ₂对Ta _{1- x} Hf _x C线性收缩的影响。TaC Cr _3中可能的“共晶”反应推测C ₂陶瓷有助于在1462℃下的收缩。高角度环形暗场扫描透射电子显微镜结合能量色散光谱技术进一步证实了岩盐结构的CrC _x和TaC之间的相互扩散。Ta _{1- x} Hf _x C陶瓷的弯曲强度，断裂韧性和维氏硬度分别在439-492 MPa，4.0-5.8 MPa∙m ^1/2和14.9-19.9 GPa的范围内。Ta _{1- x} Hf _x C的热膨胀系数（在25-1000°C的温度范围内）和热导率（在1000°C时）在7.17至7.51×10 ^-6  K之间变化^-1和31.9–42.9 W / m·K。Ta _0.5 Hf _0.5 C的高温强度直至1600°C降至165 MPa，约为室温强度的34％，并且观察到“曲折”载荷-位移曲线。