Rapid prototyping of polar-weave CMC blisks for rocket engine turbopumps

The realization of future space transportation systems and hypersonic aircraft will need the use of ceramic matrix composites that are economical and can withstand high thermomechanical and aerodynamical loads. Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) has recently developed a rapid prototyping process for its patented C3 continuous fiber reinforced ceramic composites for high temperature applications. The process is simple, robust and is widely applicable to a number of CMC materials. In the proposed Phase I program, ACR proposes to leverage this rapid prototyping approach for CMC¿s to produce fully dense lightweight turbomachinery components having capability to operate in hot hydrogen and oxygen environments. The process after scale-up will be capable of producing uniform densities in thick CMC components.