Invention Reference Number
Summary
Ceramic matrix composites are used in several industries, such as aerospace, for lightweight, high quality and high strength materials. But producing them is time consuming and often low quality. It usually takes 600 to 2,000 hours to produce using traditional methods, and the materials are difficult to manufacture. This technology utilizes microwaves for inverted heating of preform ceramic composites to reduce manufacture time but increase efficiency and quality and lower costs.
Description
Traditional manufacturing methods of ceramic matrix composites for preform material using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) is inefficient, time consuming, costly, and of varying quality. This technology uses resonant microwaves to achieve a controlled temperature inversion within the preform, resulting in accelerated core depositions while mitigating the risk of external pore closure – a common problem. Unlike conventional methods, this method leverages specific resonant patterns to achieve the desired inversion. This can significantly reduce processing time and improve the quality of the resulting composite materials, and enhance the overall efficiency of the CVI process. It also eliminates the problem of surface pores closing prematurely, provides better control, and more uniform heat distribution. This technique enhances the reflection at the material surface to enhance resonance and create a temperature inversion, heating the preform from the inside out.
Benefits
- Much faster process
- Higher quality result
- Provides better control
- Provides essential temperature control, enabling accelerated depositions while mitigating risk
- First method to reliably achieve temperature inversion during the CVI process
Applications and Industries
- Aerospace
- Defense and nuclear industries
- Friction applications, such as brake pads
- Turbine blade manufacturing
- Other high temperature environments
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
