C/C–ZrC–SiC composites with continuous ZrC–SiC ceramic matrix were prepared by a multistep technique of precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process. Ablation properties of the composites were tested under an oxyacetylene flame at 3000°C for 120s. The results show that the linear ablation rate of the composites was about an order lower than that of pure C/C and C/C–SiC composites as comparisons, and the mass of the C/C–ZrC–SiC composites increased after ablation. Three concentric ring regions with different coatings appeared on the surface of the ablated C/C–ZrC–SiC composites: (i) brim ablation region covered by a coating with layered structure including SiO 2 outer layer and ZrO 2 –SiO 2 inner layer; (ii) transition ablation region, and (iii) center ablation region with molten ZrO 2 coating. Presence of these coatings which acted as an effective oxygen and heat barrier is the reason for the great ablation resistance of the composites.