Ceramic fabric forming method
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsW. Jack Lackey, John A. Hanigofsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming a ceramic fabric by removing a carbon substrate from a fibrous preform by oxidation. Ceramic coated carbon fibers are laid-up in layers to form a preform. The layers generally have dimensions of from several inches to a few feet depending on the size of the preform. The carbon is exposed at any place where the fiber "ends" have been made by cutting the preform. The carbon core can be easily and economically oxidized at this point, leaving the ceramic coating as the ceramic fabric.
Claims16
A method for forming a ceramic fabric formed of coated carbon fibers, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a coating of a ceramic onto a carbon fiber tow;
- (b) weaving the coated carbon fiber tow into a textile;
- (c) laying up the textile into at least one layer to form a fibrous preform such that the ends of the coated carbon fibers are exposed to the ambient;
- and
- (d) subjecting the fibrous preform to a temperature sufficient to oxidize the carbon fiber so as to remove a majority of the carbon fiber from the fibrous preform resulting in a ceramic fabric comprising the ceramic coating.
A method for forming a ceramic fabric formed of coated carbon fibers, comprising the steps of:
- (a) weaving the coated carbon fibers into a textile;
- (b) depositing a coating of a ceramic onto the textile;
- (c) cutting the textile such that ends of the coated carbon fibers are exposed to the ambient;
- (d) laying up the textile into at least one layer to form a preform;
- and
- (e) subjecting the textile to a temperature sufficient to oxidize the carbon fibers so as to remove a majority of the carbon fiber from the textile resulting in a ceramic fabric comprising the ceramic coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.