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US 2026/0034707 A1Published application
Ribbonized tows for optimized improved composite performance
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorsKathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of preparing a ceramic fabric for use in a ceramic matrix composite includes transforming a ceramic tow from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tow orthogonal to the first dimension to produce a flattened tow. The method includes weaving or braiding the flattened ceramic tow to form a ceramic fabric.
Claims17
A method of forming a preform structure, the method comprising:
- transforming a ceramic tow from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tow orthogonal to the first dimension to produce a flattened ceramic tow;
- weaving or braiding the flattened ceramic tow to form a ceramic fabric, wherein the second dimension of the flattened ceramic tow is oriented parallel to a surface of the ceramic fabric;
- separating the ceramic fabric into a plurality of plies, wherein an average inter-tow pore size of each ply is 35% or less of an average center-to-center spacing of the flattened ceramic tows;
- and
- laying up the plurality of plies to form the preform structure.
2 more elements
A ceramic preform comprising:
- a plurality of abutting ceramic plies, at least one of the ceramic plies comprising:
- a plurality of flattened ceramic tows, each flattened ceramic tow formed by transforming a ceramic tow from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tow orthogonal to the first dimension;
- wherein the plurality of flatten ceramic tows are woven or braided to form a ceramic fabric, and
- wherein the ceramic fabric is separated to from the at least one of the ceramic plies;
- and
- wherein an average inter-tow pore size of the at least one of the ceramic plies is 35% or less of an average center-to-center spacing of the flattened ceramic tows.
3 more elements
A ceramic matrix composite component comprising:
- a ceramic preform;
- and
- a ceramic matrix at least partially disposed around and throughout the ceramic preform;
- wherein the ceramic preform comprises:
- a plurality of abutting ceramic plies, at least one of the ceramic plies comprising:
- a plurality of flattened ceramic tows, each flattened ceramic tow formed by transforming a ceramic tow from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tow orthogonal to the first dimension;
- wherein the plurality of flatten ceramic tows are woven or braided to form a ceramic fabric, and
- wherein the ceramic fabric is separated to from the at least one of the ceramic plies;
- and
- wherein an average inter-tow pore size of the at least one of the ceramic plies is 35% or less of an average center-to-center spacing of the flattened ceramic tows.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.