Article and method for making complex shaped preform and silicon carbide composite by melt infiltration
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJames D. Steibel, Gregory S. Corman, Robert C. Schikner, Andrew Szweda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Small diameter silicon carbide-containing fibers are provided in a bundle such as a fiber tow that can be formed into a structure where the radii of curvature is not limited to 10-20 inches. An aspect of this invention is directed to impregnating the bundles of fibers with the slurry composition to substantially coat the outside surface of an individual fiber within the bundle and to form a complex shaped preform with a mass of continuous fibers.
Claims19
A method for preparing a complex shaped preform, comprising:
- providing a mass of fibers, each fiber having a diameter less than about 40 micrometers;
- impregnating the mass of fibers with a slurry composition containing at least one high char yield resin selected from a carbon forming resin or a ceramic forming resin, or a mixture of both;
- forming the impregnated mass of fibers into a preselected preform;
- and firing the preform at a temperature and time sufficient to cure the preform, wherein the carbon forming resin is selected from the group consisting of phenolics, furfuryl alcohol, partially-polymerized resins derived therefrom, petroleum pitch, coal tar pitch, and mixtures thereof.
A method for preparing a silicon-silicon carbide composite, comprising the steps of:
- providing a mass of silicon carbide-containing fibers bundled in tows, each fiber having a diameter less than about 40 micrometers;
- impregnating the mass of silicon carbide-containing fibers with a slurry composition containing at least one high char yield resin selected from the group consisting of a carbon forming resin, a ceramic forming resin, and mixtures thereof;
- forming the impregnated mass of fibers into a complex shape of a preselected preform;
- curing the complex shape to form a silicon carbide-containing fiber preform;
- providing a necessary amount of a carbonaceous material to the preform to react with molten silicon to form silicon carbide;
- and then infiltrating the preform with molten silicon, wherein the carbon forming resin is selected from the group consisting of phenolics, furfuryl alcohol, partially-polymerized resins derived therefrom, petroleum pitch, coal tar pitch, and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.