Ultra-High Temperature Durable CMCs for UAVs: A Feasibility Study

The opportunity sought after in this proposed effort is the replacement of existing underperforming components within UAV engines with advanced CMC materials that will offer reduced weight, higher temperature capabilities, improved lifetime, and the possible elimination of any cooling requirements. The advanced CMC material development will depend upon the selected engine component and concerns related to the geometry, thermal-chemical environment, thermal-structural environment, interaction with adjoining materials, and lifetime requirements. The proposed effort will be a detailed feasibility study to address a wide range of CMC materials and manufacturing processing technologies well suited for the selected UAV engine component. Our Phase I team member, Ultramet, will assist by providing insight from a manufacturing perspective on attractive design solutions. The CMC fibers will be selected based on elevated temperature capability, ease of fabrication, and low cost. Matrix materials will be selected to minimize erosion and resist oxidation. The CMC preform fabrication processes will consider a variety of textile technology constructions. The CMC densification process will focus on Melt Infiltration (MI), a technology available at Ultramet. The importance of this developmental effort may be observed with the improved performance, increased operating temperatures, minimized oxidation/erosion, and elimination of cooling components.