Advanced Preform Technology for Complex-Shaped CMC Cooled Turbine Components

CMC components can provide substantial increase in turbine engine performance and fuel economy. However, the current ceramic fibers are not suitable to produce small, intricate shaped reinforcement preforms for turbine components of interest. Reinforcement preform technology has thus become a key bottleneck for development of CMC turbine engine components. This program will demonstrate an affordable technology to produce reinforcement preforms for components such as turbine vane with integral bands. Phase I work will involve fabrication and testing of specimens and a representative turbine demonstration article; to assess feasibility of the proposed technology. Surmet has teamed with a major turbine engine producer. The follow-on Phase II program will refine the reinforcement preform technology and prove repeatability in performance. The Phase II program will also implement this technology in a representative full-scale turbine engine component. The follow-on Phase III program will start activities for insertion of CMC components in military turbine engines.