SiNC Ceramic Fibers for the IHPTET/VAATE Engine

"This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to demonstrate an innovative new UV curable preceramic polymer chemistry for the fabrication of high yield and high purity Si3N4 and Si3N4/SiC (SiNC) ceramic fibers for SiNC fiber/SiNCmatrix CMCs. These fibers, when combined with MATECH/GSM's existing SiNC matrix technology, can be applied to NAVY engines by providing increased performance and improved affordability, both critical to the IHPTET and VAATE engine goals. Recent preliminaryexperiments at MATECH/GSM have demonstrated that Si3N4/SiC fibers can also be fabricated from high-viscosity, photocurable thermoplastic preceramic polymers. Numerous publications, by leading researchers in the field, indicate that Si3N4/SiC ceramics have1/3rd the high temperature creep behavior of SiC. Furthermore, Si3N4/SiC has been shown to possess "low observable" properties critical for future "stealth" vehicle development. No commercially available Si3N4/SiC fibers currently exist, preventing thefabrication of woven SiNC fiber / SiNC matrix ceramic composites. This phase I effort seeks to optimize fiber production techniques in consultation with Clemson University's Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films. Commercialization potential ishigh due to the participation and support of MATECH's commercialization partners, Pratt & Whitney and Goodrich Aerospace. High performance CMC turbine engine components made from MATECH/G