Integrally woven ceramic composites

A woven preform for a ceramic composite, the preform comprising:

• at least three spaced layers of woven yarns of fibrous material;
• and
• walls extending between the layers;
• wherein the layers and the walls define channels that extend in a warp direction.

A woven preform for a ceramic composite, the preform comprising:

• at least two layers of woven yarns of fibrous material;
• walls extending between the layers, said walls being disposed substantially orthogonally to each of said two layers;
• the layers and the walls defining substantially rectangular channels that extend in a warp direction;
• low density ceramic insulation that is disposed in the channels;
• and
• a plurality of openings extending through one of the layers, wherein said openings are large enough for the insulation to pass through.

A woven preform for a ceramic composite, the preform comprising:

• at least two layers of woven yarns of fibrous material;
• substantially cylindrical channels that extend in a warp direction between said layers;
• low density ceramic insulation than is disposed in the channels;
• and
• a plurality of openings extending through one of the layers, wherein said openings are large enough for the insulation to pass through.

A woven preform for a ceramic composite, the preform comprising:

• at least two layers of woven yarns of fibrous material;
• walls extending between the layers, the layers and the walls defining channels that extend in a warp direction;
• low density ceramic insulation disposed in said channels;
• and
• a plurality of openings extending through one of the layers, wherein said openings are large enough for the insulation to pass through.