Slurry infiltration heat treatment method

A method of producing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article, the method comprising steps of:

• forming a fiber preform;
• transforming the fiber preform into a green body;
• the transformation process comprising:
• placing the fiber preform inside a pliable container having an internal volume and an external surface;
• and
• infiltrating a ceramic slurry comprising solid particulate fillers and a solvent into the fiber preform to form a wet infiltrated preform, the solvent consisting of water or isopropanol, the ceramic slurry not including a gellation polymer;
• drying the wet infiltrated preform to form the green body;
• wherein drying the wet infiltrated preform comprises:
• creating a pressure differential between the internal volume and the external surface of the pliable container, such that the ceramic slurry remains within the wet infiltrated fiber preform;
• placing the pliable container and the wet infiltrated preform into a fluid bath at ambient temperature;
• heating the fluid bath to a predetermined hold temperature;
• maintaining the fluid bath at the hold temperature for a predetermined time period, wherein the heat from the fluid bath is transferred to the wet infiltrated preform at least partially by conduction, such that the wet infiltrated preform is transformed into the green body;
• removing the pliable container from the fluid bath;
• and
• removing the green body from the pliable container;
• and
• infiltrating the green body with a molten silicon or silicon alloy to form the CMC article.