Physical properties of refractory carbides of metals of groups IV and V of the Mendeleev periodic table during rapid heating by an electric current pulse

A method for studying the thermophysical properties of refractory carbides under pulsed electric heating for 5–10 microseconds is considered. Results are presented for (ZrC; Zr+C; TaC+HfC; HfC) as a function of the temperature measured from $\sim 2000\ $K to 5000 K. Data on enthalpy, specific heat $C_{\rm p}$, heat of melting, and electrical resistance are given. For all the studied carbides, a sharp increase in the specific heat of the solid phase is observed at $\approx 300\ $K before melting. This may be due to the formation of paired Frenkel defects under conditions of a short heating time. Comparative data on the results obtained for all carbides are presented, and the choice of carbides for creating thermal protection is discussed.