Abstract: A composite material (10) formed of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material (12) protected by a ceramic insulating material (14). The constituent parts of the insulating material are selected to avoid degradation of the CMC material when the two layers are co-processed. The CMC material is processed to a predetermined state of shrinkage before wet insulating material is applied against the CMC material. The two materials are then co-fired together, with the relative amount of shrinkage between the two materials during the firing step being affected by the amount of pre-shrinkage of the CMC material during the bisque firing step. The shrinkage of the two materials during the co-firing step may be matched to minimize shrinkage stresses, or a predetermined amount of prestress between the materials may be achieved. An aluminum hydroxyl chloride binder material (24) may be used in the insulating material in order to avoid degradation of the fabric (28) of the CMC material during the co-firing step.

Abstract: A hybrid structure (50) and method of manufacturing the same including a structural ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material (42) coated with a layer of ceramic insulating tiles (24). Individual ceramic tiles are attached to a surface (22) of a mold (20). The exterior surface (32) of the tiles may be subjected to a mechanical process such as machining with the mold in place to provide mechanical support for the tiles. A layer of CMC material is then applied to bond the tiles and the CMC material together into a hybrid structure. The mold may include a fugitive material portion (26) to facilitate removal of the mold when the hybrid structure has a complex shape. Tiles located in different regions of the structure may have different compositions and/or dimensions. The gaps between adjacent tiles may be filled from the outside before the CMC material is applied or from the inside after the mold is removed.

Abstract: An article comprising a ceramic material having a ceramic matrix composite backing adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The article comprises a structural ceramic material having a hot side facing toward a high temperature environment and a cold side facing away from the high temperature environment; and a ceramic matrix composite composition having a strength greater than the strength of the ceramic material attached to the back of the cold side of the ceramic material, whereby crack initiation and propagation are inhibited by the ceramic matrix composition to a greater degree than by the ceramic material.

Abstract: A hybrid ceramic structure (10), for use in high temperature environments such as in gas turbines, is made from an insulating layer (12) of porous ceramic that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 1700° C. bonded to a high mechanical strength structural layer (8) of denser ceramic that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 1200° C., where optional high temperature resistant adhesive (9) can bond the layers together, where optional cooling ducts (11) can be present in the structural layer and where hot gas (14) can contact the insulating layer (12) and cold gas (15) can contact the structural layer (8).

Abstract: A composite material (10) formed of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material (12) protected by a ceramic insulating material (14). The constituent parts of the insulating material are selected to avoid degradation of the CMC material when the two layers are co-processed. The CMC material is processed to a predetermined state of shrinkage before wet insulating material is applied against the CMC material. The two materials are then co-fired together, with the relative amount of shrinkage between the two materials during the firing step being affected by the amount of pre-shrinkage of the CMC material during the bisque firing step. The shrinkage of the two materials during the co-firing step may be matched to minimize shrinkage stresses, or a predetermined amount of prestress between the materials may be achieved. An aluminum hydroxyl chloride binder material (24) may be used in the insulating material in order to avoid degradation of the fabric (28) of the CMC material during the co-firing step.

Abstract: A ceramic composition is provided to insulate ceramic matrix composites under high temperature, high heat flux environments. The composition comprises a plurality of hollow oxide-based spheres of various dimensions, a phosphate binder, and at least one oxide filler powder, whereby the phosphate binder partially fills gaps between the spheres and the filler powders. The spheres are situated in the phosphate binder and the filler powders such that each sphere is in contact with at least one other sphere. The spheres may be any combination of Mullite spheres, Alumina spheres, or stabilized Zirconia spheres. The filler powder may be any combination of Alumina, Mullite, Ceria, or Hafnia. Preferably, the phosphate binder is Aluminum Ortho-Phosphate. A method of manufacturing the ceramic insulating composition and its application to CMC substrates are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid ceramic structure (10), for use in high temperature environments such as in gas turbines, is made from an insulating layer (12) of porous ceramic that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 1700° C. bonded to a high mechanical strength structural layer (8) of denser ceramic that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 1200° C., where optional high temperature resistant adhesive (9) can bond the layers together, where optional cooling ducts (11) can be present in the structural layer and where hot gas (14) can contact the insulating layer (12) and cold gas (15) can contact the structural layer (8).

Abstract: A vane assembly for a turbine assembly includes an inner endcap, an outer endcap, and a body. The body includes a metallic core assembly, a ceramic shell assembly and a support assembly. The metallic core assembly is coupled to the inner and outer endcaps and bears most of the mechanical loads, including aerodynamic loads. The ceramic shell bears substantially all of the thermal stress placed on the vane assembly. The support assembly is disposed between the metallic core assembly and said ceramic shell assembly and is coupled to the metallic core assembly.

Abstract: A ceramic composition is provided to insulate ceramic matrix composites under high temperature, high heat flux environments. The composition comprises a plurality of hollow oxide-based spheres of various dimensions, a phosphate binder, and at least one oxide filler powder, whereby the phosphate binder partially fills gaps between the spheres and the filler powders. The spheres are situated in the phosphate binder and the filler powders such that each sphere is in contact with at least one other sphere. The spheres may be any combination of Mullite spheres, Alumina spheres, or stabilized Zirconia spheres. The filler powder may be any combination of Alumina, Mullite, Ceria, or Hafnia. Preferably, the phosphate binder is Aluminum Ortho-Phosphate. A method of manufacturing the ceramic insulating composition and its application to CMC substrates are also provided.

Abstract: A composite thermal barrier coating system includes a honeycomb metallic structure filled with high thermal expansion ceramic hollow spheres in a phosphate bonded matrix. The composite thermal barrier coating system may be manufactured to thicknesses in excess of current thermal barrier coating systems, thereby imparting greater thermal protection. Superior erosion resistance and abrasion properties are also achieved. The composite thermal barrier coating is useful on combustion turbine components such as ring seal segments, vane segment shrouds, transitions and combustors.

Abstract: A ceramic composition is provided to insulate ceramic matrix composites under high temperature, high heat flux environments. The composite comprises a plurality of hollow oxide-based spheres of varios dimentions, a phosphate binder, and at least one oxide filler powder, whereby the phosphate binder partially fills gaps between the spheres and the filler powders. The spheres are situated in the phosphate binder and the filler powders such that each sphere is in contact with at least one other sphere. The spheres may be any combination of Mullite spheres, Alumina spheres, or stabilized Zirconia spheres. The filler powder may be any combination of Alumina, Mullite, Ceria, or Hafnia. Preferably, the phosphate binder is Aluminum Ortho-Phosphate. A method of manufacturing the ceramic insulating composition and its application to CMC substates are also provided.

Abstract: An abradable seal comprises a plurality of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in a matrix of aluminium phosphate. The matrix of aluminium phosphate also has an aluminosilicate filler. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres have a diameter in the range of 400 to 1800 microns, preferably a diameter in the range of 800 to 1400 microns. The weight proportion of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the abradable seal is 30% to 50%. The density of the abradable seal is 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the aluminium phosphate matrix have a relatively high temperature capability of approximately 1300.degree. C. maximum. This makes the abradable seal better able to withstand the environment in the turbine of a turbofan gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An abradable seal comprises a plurality of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in a matrix of aluminium phosphate. The matrix of aluminium phosphate also has an aluminosilicate filler. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres have a diameter in the range of 400 to 1800 microns, preferably a diameter in the range of 800 to 1400 microns. The weight proportion of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the abradable seal is 30% to 50%. The density of the abradable seal is 1.5 grammes per cubic centimetre. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the aluminium phosphate matrix have a relatively high temperature capability of approximately 1300.degree. C. maximum. This makes the abradable seal better able to withstand the environment in the turbine of a turbofan gas turbine engine.