Abstract:
An improved method of preparing ceramic matrix composites includes blending one or more ceramic powders with one or more paraffinic binders to form a slurry; introducing a ceramic fiber preform into a die or mold; heating the slurry to a temperature above the melting point of the one or more paraffinic binders to form a heated slurry; introducing the heated slurry into the die or mold, the heated slurry infiltrating the ceramic fiber preform to form a slurry infiltrated preform; cooling the die or mold below the solidification temperature of the paraffinic binder, thereby forming a solid component from the slurry infiltrated preform; removing the solid component from the die or mold; heating the solid component to a temperature whereby the paraffinic binder is removed; and densifying the solid component after removing the paraffinic binder, thereby forming the ceramic matrix composite.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component that includes a protective ceramic layer comprises adhering at least one flexible ceramic tape to a ceramic fiber preform, where the at least one flexible ceramic tape comprises ceramic particles dispersed in an organic binder phase. After the adhering, the at least one flexible ceramic tape is heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the organic binder phase, thereby forming a porous ceramic layer on at least a portion of the ceramic fiber preform. After the heating and volatilizing, the ceramic fiber preform and the porous ceramic layer are infiltrated with a molten material, thereby forming a CMC component including, on at least a portion thereof, a protective ceramic layer.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component that includes a protective ceramic layer comprises adhering at least one flexible ceramic tape to a ceramic fiber preform, where the at least one flexible ceramic tape comprises ceramic particles dispersed in an organic binder phase. After the adhering, the at least one flexible ceramic tape is heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the organic binder phase, thereby forming a porous ceramic layer on at least a portion of the ceramic fiber preform. After the heating and volatilizing, the ceramic fiber preform and the porous ceramic layer are infiltrated with a molten material, thereby forming a CMC component including, on at least a portion thereof, a protective ceramic layer.
Abstract:
An improved method of preparing ceramic matrix composites includes blending one or more ceramic powders with one or more paraffinic binders to form a slurry; introducing a ceramic fiber preform into a die or mold; heating the slurry to a temperature above the melting point of the one or more paraffinic binders to form a heated slurry; introducing the heated slurry into the die or mold, the heated slurry infiltrating the ceramic fiber preform to form a slurry infiltrated preform; cooling the die or mold below the solidification temperature of the paraffinic binder, thereby forming a solid component from the slurry infiltrated preform; removing the solid component from the die or mold; heating the solid component to a temperature whereby the paraffinic binder is removed; and densifying the solid component after removing the paraffinic binder, thereby forming the ceramic matrix composite.