CERAMIC COATINGS FOR ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

A NUMBER OF TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO COAT ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES, SUCH AS CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (CVD) AND PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (PVD). HOWEVER, WHILE COATINGS CAN BE PRODUCED BY THESE CONVENTIONAL COATING TECHNIQUES, THE COATING SUFFER FROM A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, INCLUDING POOR ADHERENCE AND LOW DENSITY, SUCH THAT THEY ARE MARGINAL FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS ON ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES FOR EROSION RESISTANCE IN TURBINE COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS. ISM HAS DEVELOPED A PROPRIETARY TECHNIQUE OF PRODUCING COATINGS ON ORGANIC MATRIX COMPOSITES THAT PROVIDE VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESISTANCE TO EROSION FOR TURBINE COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING BLADES. THE ISM PROCESS WILL PRODUCE TIGHTLY ADHERING, HIGH DENSITY CERAMIC COATINGS WITHOUT EXCESSIVE HEATING OF TURBINE COMPONENTS. MOREOVER, ISM CAN SCALE THE PROCESS UP TO PRODUCTION LEVEL THROUGHPUTS.