SiC/SiC Produced by R3 Conversion

SiC/SiC CMCs are well suited for TPS materials due to their combination of mechanical strength, fracture toughness, and strength to weigh ratio.  They are critical materials for flight bodies, propulsion systems, and hypersonic applications.  Production of SiC/SiC CMCs is lengthy due to the many steps involved in the manufacturing process and due to segmentation in manufacturing capabilities among suppliers.  Multiple vendors are needed to complete the whole manufacturing cycle.  We have identified critical steps in the CMC manufacturing process that can be improved with ACM’s R3 SiC/SiC manufacturing process.  In our R3 process, we use industrially common materials that simplify supply chain constraints.  The process also allows manufacturing to be vertically integrated. Our Phase II effort will advance the R3 process and validate performance.