Abstract: A reinforcement for increasing the strength and toughness and other properties in both transverse and in-piano directions for a composite material, and methods of manufacture therefor. The reinforcement has a layer of a nanoforest of vertical nanotubes or nanowires and a layer of horizontal nanotubes or nanowires. The reinforcement can be made by rolling a vertical nanoforest to produce a collapsed layer of horizontal nanofubes or nanowires, then growing a vertical nanoforest on the collapsed layer. The reinforcement can be grown directly on fibers which are used to reinforce the composite material, or alternatively Interleaved with layers of those fibers before the composite part is cured. The reinforcement and manufacturing method are compatible with almost any composite material in any shape, including epoxy, polymer, or ceramic matrix composites, or any manufacturing method, including prepreg, wet-layup and matrix film stacking.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) part such as armor, in which a mixture, including a preceramic polymer, particles such as ceramic microparticles and/or nanoparticles, and organic compounds such as a surfactant and a solvent, are mixed to form a paste and printed or molded. The part is then cured and densified by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) using the preceramic polymer with a varying amount and size of ceramic particles and different temperatures in some of the cycles. The CMC can contain silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron suboxide, alumina, or any other ceramic. The process is compatible with sacrificial materials, enabling the creation of parts with hollow portions or overhangs. The mixture preferably has a high loading of particles, for example between 70 wt % and 90 wt % of the mixture, in order to minimize shrinkage. Curing and pyrolyzing the part can be performed by microwaving.