Chemical vapor infiltration tooling for optimizing infiltration in ceramic matrix composites

A tooling fixture suitable for use in infiltrating a fibrous preform with a flow of reactant gas, the tooling fixture comprising:

• an outer surface and an inner surface defining a thickness therebetween, the inner surface configured to be disposed adjacent to the fibrous preform;
• and
• a plurality of holes extending through the thickness of the tooling fixture, the plurality of holes comprising:
• a first hole having cylindrical geometry about a first axis with a first pair of dimensions comprising a first length and a first diameter, wherein the first diameter, measured orthogonal to the first axis, is uniform throughout the first hole;
• a second hole having cylindrical geometry about a second axis with a second pair of dimensions comprising a second length and a second diameter, wherein the second diameter, measured orthogonal to the second axis, is uniform throughout the second hole, the second diameter less than the first diameter;
• and
• a third hole having cylindrical geometry about a third axis with a third pair of dimensions comprising a third length and a third diameter, wherein the third diameter, measured orthogonal to the third axis, is uniform throughout the third hole;
• and
• wherein the first hole is located to be disposed proximate a first location of the preform and wherein the second hole is located to be disposed proximate a second location of the preform, wherein the first location of the preform is thicker than the second location of the preform.