A HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMIC COMPOSITE

THERE IS A NEED FOR A GOOD STRUCTURAL CERAMIC MATERIAL THAT CAN BE USED AT HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE OXIDIZING AND CORROSIVE ATMOSPHERE OF TURBINE ENGINES AND THAT CAN BE FORMED ECONOMICALLY TO COMPLEX SHAPE WITH LOW WEIGHT. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT IS TO INVESTIGATE A NEW FAMILY OF CERAMIC COMPSITE MATERIALS THAT MAY MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS. IT IS BASED ON CHEMICALLY VAPOR DEPOSITED (CVD) SILICON BARBIDE AS THE MATRIX, REINFORCED BY A CERAMIC TEXTILE PREFORM.THE PREFORM IS WOVEN TO NET SHAPE AND INFILTRATED WITH SILICON CARBIDE IN A GAS PHASE REACTION. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE EVALUATION OF SEVERAL TYPES OF FIBERS AND FABRICS FOR SUCH A COMPOSITE; THE FABRICATION INCLUDES THE EVALUATION OF SEVERAL TYPES OF FIBERS AND FABRICS FOR SUCH A COMPOSITE THE FABRICATION OF TEST SAMPLES; AND TESTING TO OBTAIN THERMAL,OXIDATION, AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY DATA.