Low Cost Net Shape Forming of Ceramic Matrix Composites Utilizing Precermic Polymer Processing

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC’s) consisting of SiC/SiC offer significant potential for weight reduction, reduced cooling and durability improvements for jet engines and many other high temperature applications. Some SiC/SiC composites have been flight qualified, but their high cost limits their applications. A Phase I program demonstrated a low cost manufacturing route that produces mechanical properties substantially equivalent to the higher cost other SiC/SiC composites. The Phase II proposes to build upon the Phase I results to not only optimize the low cost processing, but achieve properties that exceed the more expensive SiC/SiC yet maintain the cost advantage. The Phase II will optimize processing to confirm enhanced properties, demonstrate scale up and reproducibility, produce deliverable material, and seek to obtain flight qualification with prime users for component supply during or immediately after Phase II. The program completion will provide a low cost source for SiC/SiC composite material.