Three-dimensional braided carbon fiber-reinforced ZrC matrix composites, 3-D C-f/ZrC, were fabricated by Liquid metal infiltration process at 1200 degrees C. Porous carbon/carbon (C-f/C) composites with various densities were used as preforms, and the effects of C-f/C density on microstructure and properties of the 3-D C-f/ZrC composites were investigated. The results show that the composites are composed of carbon, ZrC and residual metal. Both microstructure and properties of the 3-D C-f/ZrC composites are apparently affected by C-f/C density. With increasing density of C-f/C preform, the density of 3-D Cf/ZrC composites decreases while the open porosity increases. The composites obtained from the C-f/C preform with a density of 1.12 g/cm(3) have the best mechanical properties, with flexural strength of 286.2 +/- 11.4 MPa, elastic modulus of 83.5 +/- 6.8 GPa and fracture toughness of 9.2 +/- 0.6 MPa m(1/2). The composites exhibit excellent ablation resistance, and the mass rate and the linear ablation rate under an oxyacetylene torch are as low as 5.1 +/- 0.4 mg s(-1) and 1.1 +/- 0.3 mu m s(-1), respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.