SEAM PROTECTED ENCAPSULATED ARRAY

摘要

Seam protected encapsulated arrays of solid ceramic elements are disclosed. Vulnerable seams between solid ceramic elements arranged adjacent to each other in encapsulated arrays of solid ceramic elements are protected by a seam protector arranged in-line with the vulnerable seems and fixed to the encapsulated array. A stiffener may be arranged in-line with the vulnerable seems and fixed to the encapsulated array opposite to the seam protector. The solid ceramic elements may be encapsulated in a barrier material to prevent the base metal from reacting with the ceramic material units during casting, and/or provide crush/compression protection during cooling.