Techniweave has developed a family of ceramic composite materials using sol gel processing techniques. The sol gel approach is used to fabricate silica-silica, mullite-silica, mullite-alumina and mullite-mullite ceramic composites. The process uses and aqueous suspension of nanometer size ceramic particles. The sols have viscosities only slightly greater than water and can readily penetrate fibrous preforms. Woven preforms are typically infiltrated under vacuum. Sols are gelled into a solid by removing the water.
Multiple infiltrations can be used to achieve desired levels of densification. The material is then stabilized by heat treatment. The strength level of these materials is directly related to final composite density while composite toughness is inversely related to density. Various types reinforcement mechanisms are possible including continuous fibers in 2-D and 3-D weaves, as well as hybrids containing particulates and short fibers.
Toughness of the ceramic material is significantly improved by an integrally woven 3-D fiber network.
Examples of strength levels of successful materials are provided
Fiber Matrix ----------- Density (%) ------Flexural Strength (KSI)
Mullite-Silica----------------70 ----------------------------15
Mullite-Mullite---------------45 ---------------------------3-5
Mullite-Mullite---------------70---------------------------8-10
These materials have found application in hot gas filtration, gas turbine engine components up to 1200 degrees Celsius, high temperature acoustic panels, structural insulation and radomes.
Albany International Techniweave, Inc. 112 Airport Drive Rochester, NH 03867 Tel: (603)330-5800 Fax: (603) 330-5801 Please direct email inquiries to techniweave_marketing@albint.com |
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