Resin transfer molding to toughen composite beam keys

摘要

Method of manufacturing composite wheel beam key by: forming entirely from carbon fiber precursors or from carbon fiber precursors and ceramic materials a fibrous preform blank in a shape of a desired wheel beam key, wherein the fiber volume fraction of the preform blank is at least 50%; carbonizing the carbon fiber precursors; rigidifying the carbonized preform blank by subjecting it to at least one cycle of CVD; grinding the surface of the preform blank to open pores on its surface; and subjecting the open-pored preform blank to RTM processing with pitch. Also, carbon-carbon composite or carbon-ceramic composite wheel beam key produced by this process, having a density of from 1.5 g/cc to 2.1 g/cc and a maximum internal porosity of 10% or less.