Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a ceramic composite components. The method may include providing at least a first layer of reinforcing fiber material which may be a pre-impregnated fiber. An additively manufactured component may be provided on or near the first layer. A second layer of reinforcing fiber, which may be a pre-impregnated fiber may be formed on top the additively manufactured component. A precursor is densified to consolidates at least the first and second layer into a densified composite, wherein the additively manufactured material defines at least one cooling passage in the densified composite component.

Abstract: A system and method of melt infiltrating components is provided. In one example aspect, an inductive heating system includes a heating source that inductively heats a susceptor. The susceptor defines a working chamber in which components can be received. During melt infiltration, the system can heat the susceptor and thus the components and melt infiltrants disposed within the working chamber at a first heating rate. The first heating rate can be faster than 50° C./minute. The system can then heat the components and melt infiltrants at a second heating rate. The first heating rate is faster than the second heating rate. Thereafter, the system can heat the components and infiltrants at a third heating rate. The third heating rate can be a constant rate at or above the melting point of the melt infiltrants. The infiltrants can melt and thus infiltrate into the component to densify the component.

Abstract: Methods for repairing composite component voids are provided. For example, one method comprises locating a void in a composite component and subjecting the composite component to a process for repair. The process for repair includes creating a flow path through the void, applying a filler material to the composite component at the flow path, and processing the composite component having the filler material. In some embodiments, the flow path has a first opening on a first side of the composite component and a second opening on a second, opposite side of the composite component. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the flow path extends at a first angle with respect to a lateral direction defined by the CMC component, and at least another portion extends at a second angle with respect to the lateral direction.

Abstract: Methods for repairing composite component voids are provided. For example, one method comprises locating a void in a composite component and subjecting the composite component to a process for repair. The process for repair includes creating a flow path through the void, applying a filler material to the composite component at the flow path, and processing the composite component having the filler material. In some embodiments, the flow path has a first opening on a first side of the composite component and a second opening on a second, opposite side of the composite component. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the flow path extends at a first angle with respect to a lateral direction defined by the CMC component, and at least another portion extends at a second angle with respect to the lateral direction.

Abstract: A method for repairing composite components includes positioning repair material within a repair region of a composite component formed of a composite material. Furthermore, the method includes heating the repair region to a first temperature. Additionally, the method includes heating a remaining portion of the composite component to a second temperature. Moreover, the method includes melt infiltrating the repair region with an infiltrant to densify the repair material. The first temperature is at or above a melting point of the infiltrant and the second temperature is less than the melting point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermally processing composite components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a system includes a thermal system, a mover device, and a control system. The system also includes a plurality of vessels in which one or more components may be placed. The vessels are similarly shaped and configured. A vessel containing the one or more components therein may be mounted into a chamber defined by the thermal system during thermal processing. The thermal system and vessels include features that allow components to be thermally processed, e.g., compacted, burnt-out, and densified via a melt-infiltration process, a polymer impregnation and pyrolyzing process, or a chemical vapor infiltration process. utilizing the same thermal system and common vessel design. The control system may control the thermal system and mover device to automate thermal processing of the composite components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermally processing composite components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a system includes a thermal system, a mover device, and a control system. The system also includes a plurality of vessels in which one or more components may be placed. The vessels are similarly shaped and configured. A vessel containing the one or more components therein may be mounted into a chamber defined by the thermal system during thermal processing. The thermal system and vessels include features that allow components to be thermally processed, e.g., compacted, burnt-out, and densified via a melt-infiltration process, a polymer impregnation and pyrolyzing process, or a chemical vapor infiltration process. utilizing the same thermal system and common vessel design. The control system may control the thermal system and mover device to automate thermal processing of the composite components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a ceramic composite components. The method may include providing at least a first layer of reinforcing fiber material which may be a pre-impregnated fiber. An additively manufactured component may be provided on or near the first layer. A second layer of reinforcing fiber, which may be a pre-impregnated fiber may be formed on top the additively manufactured component. A precursor is densified to consolidates at least the first and second layer into a densified composite, wherein the additively manufactured material defines at least one cooling passage in the densified composite component.

Abstract: A system and method of melt infiltrating components is provided. In one example aspect, an inductive heating system includes a heating source that inductively heats a susceptor. The susceptor defines a working chamber in which components can be received. During melt infiltration, the system can heat the susceptor and thus the components and melt infiltrants disposed within the working chamber at a first heating rate. The first heating rate can be faster than 50° C./minute. The system can then heat the components and melt infiltrants at a second heating rate. The first heating rate is faster than the second heating rate. Thereafter, the system can heat the components and infiltrants at a third heating rate. The third heating rate can be a constant rate at or above the melting point of the melt infiltrants. The infiltrants can melt and thus infiltrate into the component to densify the component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a ceramic composite components. The method may include providing at least a first layer of reinforcing fiber material which may be a pre-impregnated fiber. An additively manufactured component may be provided on or near the first layer. A second layer of reinforcing fiber, which may be a pre-impregnated fiber may be formed on top the additively manufactured component. A precursor is densified to consolidates at least the first and second layer into a densified composite, wherein the additively manufactured material defines at least one cooling passage in the densified composite component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermally processing composite components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a system includes a thermal system, a mover device, and a control system. The system also includes a plurality of vessels in which one or more components may be placed. The vessels are similarly shaped and configured. A vessel containing the one or more components therein may be mounted into a chamber defined by the thermal system during thermal processing. The thermal system and vessels include features that allow components to be thermally processed, e.g., compacted, burnt-out, and densified via a melt-infiltration process, a polymer impregnation and pyrolyzing process, or a chemical vapor infiltration process. utilizing the same thermal system and common vessel design. The control system may control the thermal system and mover device to automate thermal processing of the composite components.

Abstract: Composite components and methods for adding a composite material to a composite component are provided. For example, a method comprises positioning a composite material segment against the composite component to form a component layup; applying an insulating material around at least a portion of the component layup to form an insulated layup; and densifying the insulated layup, where the composite component was previously densified before positioning the composite material segment against the composite component. In some embodiments, the composite material is ceramic matrix composite (CMC) and the composite material segment is a plurality of CMC plies. The composite component may be a CMC gas turbine engine component that comprises an original CMC component and a new CMC material segment joined to the original CMC component through the transfer of silicon between the original CMC component and the new CMC material segment during melt infiltration.

Abstract: Methods for repairing composite component voids are provided. For example, one method comprises locating a void in a composite component and subjecting the composite component to a process for repair. The process for repair includes creating a flow path through the void, applying a filler material to the composite component at the flow path, and processing the composite component having the filler material. In some embodiments, the flow path has a first opening on a first side of the composite component and a second opening on a second, opposite side of the composite component. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the flow path extends at a first angle with respect to a lateral direction defined by the CMC component, and at least another portion extends at a second angle with respect to the lateral direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a ceramic composite components. The method may include providing at least a first layer of reinforcing fiber material which may be a pre-impregnated fiber. An additively manufactured component may be provided on or near the first layer. A second layer of reinforcing fiber, which may be a pre-impregnated fiber may be formed on top the additively manufactured component. A precursor is densified to consolidates at least the first and second layer into a densified composite, wherein the additively manufactured material defines at least one cooling passage in the densified composite component.

Abstract: A method for a fabricating a ceramic material includes providing a mixture of a reactive metallic filler material with a preceramic polysilazane material. The preceramic polysilazane material is then polymerized to form a green body. The green body is then thermally treated in an environment that is substantially free of oxygen to convert the polymerized preceramic polysilazane material into a ceramic material that includes at least one nitride phase that is a reaction product of the reactive metallic filler material and a preceramic polysilazane material.

Abstract: A method for a fabricating a ceramic material includes providing a mixture of a reactive metallic filler material with a preceramic polysilazane material. The preceramic polysilazane material is then polymerized to form a green body. The green body is then thermally treated in an environment that is substantially free of oxygen to convert the polymerized preceramic polysilazane material into a ceramic material that includes at least one nitride phase that is a reaction product of the reactive metallic filler material and a preceramic polysilazane material.