Innovative Fabrication of SiC/SiC Composites with High Through-the-Thickness Thermal Conductivity

41115 November 20, 1996 MER Double layer silicon carbide (SiC/SiC) composites offer excellent potential in fusion energy devices as well as for numerous commercial applications. However, high manufacturing costs and very low through-the-thickness thermal conductivity inhibit these applications In Phase I, the thermal conductivity will be enhanced and the cost reduced by extending two established technologies to the fabrication of low cost SiC/SiC composites: (1) Chemical Vapor Reaction (CVR) conversion of carbon fibers and carbon/graphite structures, and (2) low-cost manufacturing of carbon/carbon composites. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Excellent thermal conductivity should be achieved, combined with low cost and scale-up potential for producing large, complex shape SiC/SiC parts. Commercial applications are numerous and include heat exchangers, gas turbine engine components, radiant burner tubes, heat gas filters and waste incineration equipment.