The Preparation and Economics of Silicon Carbide Matrix Composites by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a number of processing techniques that are currently in use for the development and production of continuous fiber reinforced ceramic composite materials. The limited number of available processing routes are compared with respect to the resulting material properties.As it appears, the Chemical Vapor Infiltration technique is one of the most extensively developed methods. During the last decade, at least five different modifications of the isobaric isothermal CVI principle have been developed; each route having its own benefits. CVI techniques have now been developed to the extent that industrial commercialization is being realized. Projected cost aspects of the various CVI manufacturing techniques have been examined and compared.