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

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC’s) exhibit many desirable properties for applications in gas turbine engines but their applications are limited due to their high cost of fabrication. Preceramic polymers (PCP) used with impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) to produce an interface coating on the ceramic fiber and the matrix of a composite when used with ceramic particle fillers have the potential to reduce the cost to produce net shape CMC’s. It is possible for PCP PIP processing to produce CMC’s for as little as $50/lb over the materials cost of the CMC. Such low cost processing will be further developed to produce net shape CMC’s with properties that meet gas turbine engine requirements. The low cost produced CMC’s will be characterized in coordination with one or more engine manufacturers supporting this low cost net shape processing development program. Samples and components will be produced to quantify the cost of fabrication.