Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) that may show improved resistance to chemical attack from molten silicon along with excellent mechanical strength is described. The method includes forming an interphase coating on one or more silicon carbide fibers, depositing a matrix layer comprising silicon carbide on the interphase coating, oxidizing the matrix layer to form an oxidized film comprising silicon oxide, depositing a wetting layer comprising silicon carbide on the oxidized film. After depositing the wetting layer, a fiber preform containing the silicon carbide fibers is heat treated. After the heat treatment, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a slurry. After infiltration with the slurry, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a melt containing silicon, and then the melt is cooled to form a ceramic matrix composite.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite that exhibits moisture and environmental resistance has been developed. The method includes depositing a diffusion barrier layer comprising boron nitride on silicon carbide fibers and depositing a moisture-tolerant layer comprising silicon-doped boron nitride on the diffusion barrier layer, where a thickness of the moisture-tolerant layer is from about 3 to about 300 times a thickness of the diffusion barrier layer. Thus, a compliant multilayer including the moisture-tolerant layer and the diffusion barrier layer is formed. A wetting layer comprising silicon carbide, boron carbide, and/or pyrolytic carbon is deposited on the compliant multilayer layer. After depositing the wetting layer, a fiber preform comprising the silicon carbide fibers is infiltrated with a slurry. After slurry infiltration, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a melt comprising silicon and then the melt is cooled, thereby forming a ceramic matrix composite.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite that exhibits chemical resistance has been developed. The method comprises depositing a compliant layer comprising boron nitride, silicon-doped boron nitride, and/or pyrolytic carbon on silicon carbide fibers, depositing a barrier layer having a high contact angle with molten silicon on the compliant layer, and depositing a wetting layer comprising silicon carbide, boron carbide, and/or pyrolytic carbon on the barrier layer. After depositing the wetting layer, a fiber preform comprising the silicon carbide fibers is infiltrated with a slurry. After slurry infiltration, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a melt comprising silicon, and then the melt is cooled, thereby forming a ceramic matrix composite.

Abstract: A method includes heating, using a heat source, a reactor vessel including a substrate in a radially central core region of the reactor vessel and introducing, using at least one reactor inlet in an outer wall of the reactor vessel, a precursor gas to the reactor vessel. The at least one reactor inlet is configured to swirling flow of the precursor gas around the radially central core region of the reactor vessel. The material deposits on the substrate from the precursor gas. The method includes removing, using at least one reactor outlet, an exhaust gas from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A system may include a reactor vessel comprising an outer wall, a heat source thermally coupled to the reactor vessel, at least one reactor inlet in the outer wall, and at least one reactor outlet. The reactor vessel may be configured to house a substrate in a radially central core region. The at least one reactor inlet may be configured to introduce a precursor gas to the reactor vessel to produce swirling flow of the precursor gas around the radially central core region of the reactor vessel. The at least one reactor outlet may be configured to remove exhaust gas from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A system and method of joining together first and second electric terminals includes providing the second terminal with an aperture extending therethrough and a notch therein. The first and second terminals are positioned in overlapping relationship with one another so the aperture overlaps the first terminal to provide access to the first terminal through the second terminal, and so the notch overlaps the first terminal. Heat is applied to the first terminal through the aperture in the second terminal to heat the first and second terminals. The end of a solder wire is positioned in engagement with the notch of the heated second terminal to locate the solder wire with respect to the terminals and to melt the solder wire to form a solder pool that contacts the first and second terminals.

Abstract: A system and method of joining together first and second electric terminals includes providing the second terminal with an aperture extending therethrough and a notch therein. The first and second terminals are positioned in overlapping relationship with one another so the aperture overlaps the first terminal to provide access to the first terminal through the second terminal, and so the notch overlaps the first terminal. Heat is applied to the first terminal through the aperture in the second terminal to heat the first and second terminals. The end of a solder wire is positioned in engagement with the notch of the heated second terminal to locate the solder wire with respect to the terminals and to melt the solder wire to form a solder pool that contacts the first and second terminals.