Ceramic-ceramic composite prepregs and methods for their use and preparation
AssigneeKaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corporation
InventorsH. O. Davis, Marvin Pennell, Gary Patz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Prepregs for producing ceramic-ceramic composite articles are prepared by impregnating a ceramic substrate with a liquid ceramic precursor material. By properly controlling the viscosity of the precursor material and the conditions of application of the precursor to the substrate, a prepreg which can retain the precursor may be obtained. The prepreg is suitable for shaping into a wide variety of geometries, and the ceramic precursor may be transformed into the corresponding ceramic matrix material by curing and conversion steps.
Claims13
A process for forming a prepeg material, said process comprising:
- introducing a liquid ceramic precursor material onto a reinforcement substrate, wherein the liquid has a minimum viscosity of 1000 cp prior to introduction;
- and
- substantially uniformly impregnating substrate with the ceramic processor material.
A process for forming a ceramic prepreg material, said process comprising:
- combining a liquid ceramic precursor material with an amount of a thixotropy modifying agent selected to provide a minimum viscosity of about 10,000 cp in the absence of applied pressure;
- introducing the combined ceramic precursor material and thixotropy modifying agent to a reinforcement substrate;
- and
- applying sufficient pressure to the surface of the reinforcement substrate to substantially uniformly impregnate said substrate with the ceramic precursor material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.