Airfoil components containing ceramic-based materials and processes therefor

A process for producing an airfoil component, the process comprising:

• forming an airfoil portion of an airfoil portion material containing a precursor of a ceramic based material, the airfoil portion material defining concave and convex walls of the airfoil portion, the concave and convex walls defining a tip region of the airfoil portion and at least a first cavity within the airfoil portion;
• forming at least a first ply that contains a precursor of a ceramic based material, the at least first ply at least partially closing the first cavity at the tip region of the airfoil portion, the at least first ply defining a wedge-shaped profile;
• inserting the at least first ply in the cavity of the airfoil portion;
• and
• curing the airfoil portion material of the airfoil portion and the first ply so that the first ply forms a tip cap that at least partially closes the first cavity at the tip region and the precursors of the airfoil portion material and the first ply are converted to the ceramic-based materials thereof.