Glass-ceramic matrix composites applications

The applications of glass/glass-ceramic matrix composites (CMC) can be divided into two specific categories aerospace applications and non-aerospace applications. In aerospace applications, performance is the prime consideration, while in non-aerospace applications cost-effectiveness is paramount. The characteristic properties of materials for aerospace applications should be... 

N. P. Bansal, P. H. McCluskey, G. D. Linsey, D. Murphy, and G. Levan, Processing and Properties of Nicalon Reinforced Barium Aluminosilicate (BAS) Glass-Ceramic Matrix Composites, in Ceramic Matrix Composites for Rocket Nozzle, Leading Edge, and Turbins Applications, Ed. M. M. Opeka, DoD Ceramics Information... 

I. W. Donald, Preparation, Properties and Applications of Glass and Glass-Ceramic Matrix Composites, Key Eng. Mat. 108-110, 123-144 (1995). 

TABLE 2. Applications of dispersion-reinforced glass and glass-ceramic matrix composites... 

Several sintered glass and glass-ceramic matrix composites obtained from recycled silicate waste have been reported in the literature [100-106]. These are dense or porous products with potential application as building, decoration or architectural materials, such as wall partition blocks, pavements, wall and floor tiles, thermal insulation, fire protection elements, roofing granules and acoustic tiles. Other possible uses include abrasive media for blasting and polishing applications. 

Recent advances further enhance their commercial potential in metal matrix composites such as aluminum, nickel, and copper ceramic matrix composites, such as alumina, zirconia and silicon nitride and glass ceramic matrix composites such as lithium aluminosilicate. Silicon carbide whiskers increase strength, reduce crack propagation, and add structural reliability in ceramic matrix composites. Structural applications include cutting tool inserts, wear parts, and heat engine parts. They increase strength and stiffness of a metal, and support the design of metal matrix composites with thinner cross sections than those of the metal parts they replace, but with equal properties in applications such as turbine blades, boilers and reactors. 

Whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic matrices are expected to find several applications in automotive components, metal forming, cutting tools, etc., due to their low thermal expansion, high thermal shock resistance, high reliability and low material and processing costs. Some industrial applications for continuous fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are listed below. 

Ceramic fibers can be coated with ceramic slurries and hot-pressed to make dense fiber reinforced ceramic- or glass-matrix composites, Alternatively, continuous ceramic fibers can be combined with other fibers, whiskers, or powders and formed into porous shapes used for insulation (e.g., space-shuttle tiles) or subsequently infiltrated by CVD techniques to form fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites without hot-pressing. For example, Nextel-SiC composites made by infiltration are being considered for applications such as heat exchangers and radiant gas burner tubes [210]. 

The chemical composition of the composite constituents and the interphase is not limited to any particular material class. There are metal-matrix, ceramic-matrix, and polymer-matrix composites, all of which find industrially relevant applications. Similarly, reinforcements in important commercial composites are made of such materials as steel. E-glass, and Kevlar . Many times a bonding agent is added to the fibers prior to compounding to create an interphase of a specified chemistry. We will describe specific component chemistries in subsequent sections. 

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