Potential Ceramic Matrix Composite Applications

Ohnabe, H., Masaki, S., Onozuka, M., Miyahara, K., Sasa, T. (1999), Potential application of ceramic matrix composites to aero-engine components , Composites, 30A, 489-496. 

An understanding of the above characteristics and requirements for materials science and engineering forms the basis of the structure of this book, as it summarises precisely the essential knowledge requirements for CVD technology. Whilst the authors tackle a wide range of theoretical topics, the focus of the book is on the fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composites used by the CVD or chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) processes. Based on the requirement of a systematic understanding of CVD processes, the related materials by some special CVD techniques and their potential applications, the book is structured as follows. 

J. Goring, B. Kanka, M. Schmiicker, H. Schneider, A Potential Oxide/oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite for Gas Turbine Application, Proc. ASME / IGTI Turbo Expo 2003... 

M. Drissi-Habti, T. Ishikawa, L. P. Zawada, Tyrannohex Composites High Potential Materials for Structural Applications, in High Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites, W. Krenkel, R. Naslain, H. Schneider eds., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, New York, (2001) 866-872. 

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. 

To evaluate and characterize toughened ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials for potential high temperature structural applications. At the present time four-point flexure testing is being used to determine the high temperature performance of these CMCs, However, a related in-house program to develop a tensile test for CMC materials is underway. Once this test has been developed and refined both techniques will be used to provide a more comprehensive characterization of CMC materials at elevated temperatures. 

Applications of carbon-fiber, ceramic-matrix composites are still essentially in the development stage and many fabrication problems must be solved before the full potential of these materials is realized. Among the more successful applications to date are the following. 

FABRICATION OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES POTENTIAL FOR ULTRA-HIGH-TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS... 

The development of ceramic oxide composites has lagged behind the development of non-oxide composites because of the poor creep resistance of oxide fibers (compared to SiC fibers) and because of the lack of adequate oxide fiber coatings that promote fiber-matrix debonding. Recent advances in creep-resistant oxide fibers and progress on interface control has improved the potential for oxide ceramic composites in industrial and defense applications. However, an effective coating for oxide fibers that provides a weak fiber-matrix interface (and therefore tough composite behavior) remains to be demonstrated. As was discussed in Chapter 6, all oxide coating concepts discussed in the literature have been demonstrated with model systems rather than actual composite systems. 

In the field of MMCs, continuous carbon and ceramic fibers compete with other reinforcements on a cost/performance basis. Continuous, and hence costly, fibers can be used in applications where high specific performance, e.g., in space applications, is required. In other potential applications, e.g., in automotive engines, metal matrix composites are not cost effective. 

Although the uses of ceramic fibres in composite structures lie mainly in ceramic-matrix and metal-matrix composites, where their outstanding chemical and thermal resistance are important, there are a few applications in organic polymers. Their relevant properties are low thermal expansion, low electrical conductivity, low dielectric constant, high stiffness, good compressive strength, and in most cases complete resistance to combustion. On the other hand they are very brittle, hard to process, and mostly considerably more expensive than carbon and para-aramid fibres. They have, for example, been used in hybrid structures with carbon and para-aramid and in electronic circuit boards. The fibres available or potentially available include alumina, combinations of alumina with... 

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