Abstract: In some examples, a slurry infiltration fixture. The infiltration fixture includes a fixture main body that includes a slurry introduction channel and a plurality of fixture walls defining a cavity configured to receive a porous component. The cavity includes a component volume and a reservoir volume. The plurality of fixture walls includes a shape configured to define a fixed offset between the porous component and the plurality of fixture walls and a fixed volume for slurry between the plurality of fixture walls and the porous component. The slurry introduction channel is configured introduce the slurry into the cavity through an opening proximate a bottom of the cavity.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for forming a surface layer of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article. The technique includes depositing a slurry on a surface of an infiltrated CMC. The slurry includes a carrier material, a binder, a plasticizer, and solid particles. The solid particles include a plurality of fine ceramic particles defining a fine particle average size less than about 5 micrometers. The method further includes drying the slurry to form an article having an outer surface layer that includes the solid particles on the infiltrated CMC. The method further includes machining at least a portion of the outer surface layer of the article. The method further includes infiltrating the article with a molten infiltrant to form a composite article.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for forming a surface layer of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article. The technique includes depositing a slurry on a surface of an infiltrated CMC. The slurry includes a carrier material, a binder, a plasticizer, and solid particles. The solid particles include a plurality of fine ceramic particles defining a fine particle average size less than about 5 micrometers. The method further includes drying the slurry to form an article having an outer surface layer that includes the solid particles on the infiltrated CMC. The method further includes machining at least a portion of the outer surface layer of the article. The method further includes infiltrating the article with a molten infiltrant to form a composite article.