Abstract: High-temperature, lightweight, ceramic carbon insulation is prepared by coating or impregnating a porous carbon substrate with a siloxane gel derived from the reaction of an organodialkoxy silane and an organotrialkoxy silane in an acid or base medium in the presence of the carbon substrate. The siloxane gel is subsequently dried on the carbon substrate to form a ceramic carbon precursor. The carbon precursor is pyrolyzed, in an inert atmosphere, to form the ceramic insulation containing carbon, silicon, and oxygen. The carbon insulation is characterized as a porous, fibrous, carbon ceramic tile which is particularly useful as lightweight tiles for spacecraft.

Abstract: According to a ceramic fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material of the present invention, a ceramic fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material 1 comprises a composite ceramic matrix, and a preform 5 resulting from a fiber bundle 3 obtained by bundling a plurality of ceramic fibers 2 and disposed therein, and is characterized in that a first ceramic matrix M1 is formed in an inner space of the fiber bundle 3 and at a region adjacent to an outer periphery thereof, and a second ceramic matrix M2 is formed in an inner space of the preform 5 and at an outer peripheral region thereof, the space and region of the preform being defined except for those of the fiber bundle. Also characteristically, ceramic fibers are compositely disposed in a fiber volume fraction (Vf) of greater than 10% in a reaction-sintered ceramic matrix.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) structure exhibiting tailored characteristics such as ductility, hardness, and coefficient of friction. Generally, this tailoring involves incorporating fibers into the composite in sufficient quantities to produce a certain degree of ductility, and if desired, incorporating filler material into the composite in sufficient quantities to produce a desired degree of other characteristics such as hardness and coefficient of friction. In both cases, the degree to which these respective characteristics are exhibited varies with the percent by volume of fibers and filler materials incorporated into the structure. Additionally, the degree to which these respective characteristics are exhibited varies with the form of fibers used (i.e., continuous or non-continuous) and with type of filler material employed.

Abstract: A new infrared heater containing a gas fired burner having a metallic burner body with a combustion plenum chamber, a matrix which covers the combustion mixture plenum and a screen made of fibers treated with a silicon carbide. The screen could be connected to the matrix by a pressure fit. The invention also relates to a new matrix that is energy efficient and made from fibers ceramic or metallic, treated with a pre-ceramic polymer containing silicon and carbon to rigidize the matrix and increase its emittance. The matrix could also have a variety of surfaces that are also more efficient.

Abstract: A method for the densification of an annular body having a porous structure and comprising layers of fabric, which includes locating a susceptor element within the porous body, the amount of the susceptor element occupying less than 5% of the volume of the porous body, the susceptor element being in the form of a layer comprising one of a foil and a fiber and having plural holes therein through which adjacent layers of fabric of the porous body contact each other, said susceptor element being made of a material which is more susceptible to heating by electromagnetic radiation than the material of the porous body, and exposing the porous body to hydrocarbon gas and simultaneously applying an electromagnetic field to the porous body, the susceptor element within the porous body at least in part causing heating of the porous body to a temperature at which the gas infiltrating the porous body deposits carbon within the porous body.