Abstract: Disclosed is a preform for a ceramic matrix composite including direct channels extending from an exterior surface of the preform to an interior space of the preform wherein the direct channels are free of char.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.

Abstract: A void filler material includes a ceramic rod and a fibrous overwrap. The void filler material may be used in a ceramic matrix composite. The method of making the ceramic matrix composite includes inserting the void filler material in voids of a preform and depositing a ceramic matrix on the preform and the void filler material using chemical vapor infiltration.

Abstract: A method of preparing a woven fabric material for use in a ceramic matrix composite includes passing a desized woven fabric tape having a first inter-filament spacing through a dispersal module configured to transform the desized woven fabric tape into a dispersed woven fabric tape having a second inter-filament spacing greater than the first inter-filament spacing. The dispersal module includes a first charging element with a charged surface and disposed to apply an electric charge to the desized woven fabric tape. The method further includes applying a polymer binder to the dispersed woven fabric tape to create a stabilized woven fabric tape having the second inter-filament spacing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and CMCs made by the method are disclosed. The method can be a manual process or an automated process, such as using a robotic system, that is used for controlled delivery of ceramic particles in a CMC fabric. The method includes identifying voids present between adjacent tows of the CMC fabric and dispensing ceramic particles into the voids. Applying the ceramic particles in the center of the voids reduces the size and volume fraction of the voids/defects, improving the homogeneity of surface texture of the preform, homogeneity of microstructure, and part model shape conformity. The method for manufacturing CMCs creates CMCs having a homogenous distribution of small pores after matrix formation that improves the interlaminar mechanical and thermal properties of the CMCs.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic matrix composite component is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of first ceramic fiber plies including a plurality of interconnected tows and a plurality of first pores positioned between adjacent tows. The method includes applying a plurality of first ceramic particles within the plurality of first pores. Next, the method includes applying a plurality of second ceramic fiber plies onto an outer surface of the plurality of first ceramic fiber plies. The second ceramic fiber plies include a plurality of interconnected tows and a plurality of second pores positioned between adjacent tows. The method then includes applying a plurality of second ceramic particles within the plurality of second pores. Further, the plurality of second ceramic particles are larger than the plurality of first ceramic particles. Lastly, the method includes densifying the ceramic matrix composite preform to form the ceramic matrix composite component.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ceramic fabric and ceramic matrix composite components constructed from the ceramic fabric include transforming ceramic tows, or ceramic fabrics, to varying degrees from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tows and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tows orthogonal to the first dimension. Plies constructed with flattened tows, or as-received tows, have various inter-tow pore sizes that are arranged with increasing inter-tow pore size towards exterior surfaces of the preform structure.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ceramic fabric for use in a ceramic matrix composite includes arranging a plurality of ceramic tows, each comprising a plurality of filaments, introducing a superabsorbent polymer to the plurality of ceramic tows such that an amount of the superabsorbent polymer surrounds at least a subset of the plurality of filaments within each of the plurality of ceramic tows, and introducing water to the plurality of ceramic tows to cause the superabsorbent polymer to expand and force apart adjacent ones of the subset of the plurality of filaments within each of the plurality of ceramic tows. Expansion of the superabsorbent polymer within one of the plurality of ceramic tows reduces a filament packing density of the one of the plurality of ceramic tows.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic matrix composites includes producing chemical vapor deposition functionalized ceramic particles before injecting the functionalized ceramic particles into the CMC fabric. The functionalized ceramic particles are mixed with a binder solution and then dispensed into voids present between adjacent tows of the CMC fabric. Injecting the particles in the center of the voids reduces the size and volume fraction of the voids/defects, improving the homogeneity of surface texture, homogeneity of microstructure, and part model shape conformity.

Abstract: A method of preparing a woven fabric material for use in a ceramic matrix composite includes passing a desized woven fabric tape having a first inter-filament spacing through a dispersal module configured to transform the desized woven fabric tape into a dispersed woven fabric tape having a second inter-filament spacing greater than the first inter-filament spacing. The dispersal module includes a first charging element with a charged surface and disposed to apply an electric charge to the desized woven fabric tape. The method further includes applying a polymer binder to the dispersed woven fabric tape to create a stabilized woven fabric tape having the second inter-filament spacing.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preform for a ceramic matrix composite including direct channels extending from an exterior surface of the preform to an interior space of the preform wherein the direct channels are free of char.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber reinforced composite includes: infiltrating a preform having a perimeter with an electrophoretic gel; adding nanoparticles to wells located in the electrophoretic gel outside the preform perimeter; introducing the nanoparticles to the preform using gel electrophoresis; removing the electrophoretic gel to result in a preform having embedded nanoparticles; and infiltrating the preform having embedded nanoparticles with a matrix material or a matrix material precursor.

Abstract: A void filler material includes a ceramic rod and a fibrous overwrap. The void filler material may be used in a ceramic matrix composite. The method of making the ceramic matrix composite includes inserting the void filler material in voids of a preform and depositing a ceramic matrix on the preform and the void filler material using chemical vapor infiltration.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. The molybdenum-based alloy has a composition that includes molybdenum, silicon, and boron. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate formed of a molybdenum-based alloy. The molybdenum-based alloy has a composition that includes molybdenum, silicon, and boron. A barrier layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is formed of at least one noble metal.