Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an abrasion resistant ceramic material comprising a porous ceramic material having a surface, and a preceramic polymer infiltrated into the surface wherein the preceramic polymer is converted to a ceramic state.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in ceramic matrix composites with porous interfacial coatings and the methods and processes for fabricating such coatings integral with the ceramic matrix composites. Each ceramic matrix composite of the present invention includes a fibrous substrate or fabric material with a porous interfacial coating. The coating, prior to processing, is comprised of a coating solution made of a carbon precursor and a ceramic precursor resin dissolved directly within a solvent or solvents. Fabrication is achieved by first desizing the fibrous substrate, second immersing the desized fibrous substrate in the mixed coating solution, third evaporating the solvent and curing the precursor and resin via a low temperature cure, and fourth pyrolyzing the coating via a high temperature pyrolysis, preferably in an inert atmosphere. Next, the coated fibrous substrate is combined with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a ceramic foam made by mixing a liquid pre-ceramic resin and a liquid phenolic resin, allowing the resultant mixture to chemically foam, curing the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to convert the mixture to a polymeric foam, and then heating the resultant polymeric foam for a time and at a temperature sufficient to break-down polymers of the polymeric foam and convert the polymeric foam to a ceramic foam. The ceramic foam of the present invention contains residual decomposed components of the liquid phenolic resin and/or liquid pre-ceramic resin.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an abrasion resistant ceramic insulation tile. The insulation tile is provided with a porous ceramic material having a surface. The insulation tile is further provided with a preceramic polymer which is permeated through the surface. The preceramic polymer forms an integral ceramic matrix with the porous ceramic material upon pyrolyzation.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a ceramic matrix composite, comprising a ceramic fiber, a multi-layer coating on the fiber comprising plural alternating layers of an easily-cleaved material and an oxidation resistant material, and a ceramic matrix contacting the coating, the fiber and coating being embedded in the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method of producing a ceramic foam. The steps for producing the ceramic foam include first mixing a liquid pre-ceramic resin with a liquid phenolic resin, second allowing the resultant mixture to chemically foam, third curing the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to convert the mixture to a polymeric foam, and then heating the resultant polymeric foam for a time and at a temperature sufficiently to completely break-down polymers of the polymeric foam and convert the polymeric foam to a ceramic foam.