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This research work deals with the investigation of erosive wear of spark plasma sintered ZrB2‐SiC composites with variation in angle of incidence (30°, 60°, and 90°), test temperature (room and 800°C) and SiC content (10, 20, and 30 vol.%). Results indicate a large variation in erosion rate from 2.13 to 75.45 mm3/kg with change in angle of incidence, test temperature, and SiC content. Erosion rate decreased with the decrease in angle of incidence, increase in temperature, and increase in SiC content. With increase in SiC content from 10 to 30 vol.%, a maximum reduction of 68% in erosion rate obtained at shallow incidence and room temperature, and a maximum reduction of 78% in erosion rate obtained at shallow incidence and 800°C. SEM‐EDS and XRD analyses indicate that formation of B2O3 and SiO2‐rich protective surface is responsible for high temperature erosion resistance of ZrB2‐SiC composites.

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Spark plasma sintering of SiC‐10, 20, or 30 wt% TaC composites was performed at 1800°C. Microstructures of sintered composites revealed uniform dispersion of TaC particles in SiC matrix. With the increase in TaC content, hardness decreased from 25.75 to 23.30 GPa and fracture toughness increased from 3.48 to 3.85 MPa m1/2. Erosion testing was performed to evaluate the potential of sintered composites at room temperature and 400°C by a stream of SiC particles impinging at different angles (30°, 60°, or 90°). The erosion rate varied from 25 to 166 mm3/kg, with change in TaC content, impingement angle, or temperature. The erosion rate increased as the angle of impingement and temperature increased, but reduced when the TaC concentration increased. Worn surfaces revealed that the material was dominantly removed via fracture of SiC grains and TaC particles pull‐out. SiC‐30 wt% TaC composites exhibited superior erosive wear resistance at low impingement angle and room temperature.