Fabrication of ceramic matrix composites

A process for fabricating a melt-infiltrated ceramic matrix composite, comprising the steps of:

• fabricating a ceramic fiber preform comprising at least one fiber, at least one fiber tow, or at least one fiber and fiber tow;
• depositing at least one structural support material coating on the at least one fiber, the at least one fiber tow, or the at least one fiber and fiber tow to form a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising at least one pore, at least one porous network or at least one pore and porous network;
• depositing at least one fiber protection material coating on the at least one fiber, the at least one fiber tow, or the at least one fiber and fiber tow;
• infiltrating a slurry composition comprising a solvent into the at least one pore, the at least one porous network or both the at least one pore and the porous network;
• drying the partially densified ceramic matrix composite to remove the solvent;
• depositing at least one sacrificial material coating on the fiber protection material coating;
• and
• melt-infiltrating at least one molten infiltrant into the partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form a melt-infiltrated ceramic matrix composite.