US 5,928,448 A · Dowel adhesive method for repair of ceramic matrix composites

Abstract

The present invention is a dowel-adhesive method for repairing ceramic matrix composites. The dowel adhesive method embodied in the present invention incorporates both adhesive and mechanical bonding of a patch to a damaged CMC surface area. The damaged area is first identified and then pre-processed. Next, a CMC patch plug is produced and adhesively and mechanically bonded to the pre-processed area. Mechanical bonding is accomplished with dowel pins and corresponding dowel pin holes in the patch plug and the panel. The dowel pins anchor the CMC patch plug to the panel. Adhesive bonding is accomplished by placing a ceramic adhesive between the patch plug and the panel. Also, the dowel pins are adhesively bonded within the dowel pin holes of the plug and the panel. The ceramic adhesive is set by a low temperature cure (if required) and a high temperature firing.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A dowel-adhesive method for repairing a damaged area of a ceramic matrix composite material, comprising the steps of:

(a) removing the damaged area of the material to define a repair area with sides;
(b) producing a patch plug having sidewalls, wherein said patch plug fits securely within said removed area;
(c) creating a plurality of matching dowel pin holes through said patch plug and said material;
(d) applying a ceramic adhesive to said sides of said repair area;
(e) placing said patch plug in said repair area;
(f) applying said ceramic adhesive within said dowel pin holes;
(g) inserting a plurality of dowel pins within said dowel pin holes;
(h) processing the damaged area with said ceramic adhesive and patch plug to set said ceramic adhesive, including curing, pyrolyzing, and melt-processing said ceramic adhesive to create an adhesive bond between said patch plug, said dowel pins and said repair area;
and
(i) removing protruding portions of said repair area to produce a smooth surface.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dowel adhesive method for repair of ceramic matrix composites

Life of this patent

Dowel adhesive method for repair of ceramic matrix composites

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17