PROCESS OF MAKING CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE PARTS WITH COOLING CHANNELS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process of forming slender channels having a complex pattern and a small radius of curvature in the thin walls of ceramic matrix composite parts. SOLUTION: The ceramic matrix composite parts with slender cooling channels in the walls are made by inserting decomposable inserts into woven ceramic fiber preforms. Each of the inserts is a tow of continuous carbon fibers enclosed with a carbonaceous filler and the inserts are inserted in positions in which channels are required. The preforms with the inserts in the prescribed positions are disposed in molding tools. A ceramic matrix material is added and the fiber preforms are united with the ceramic matrix material. The united parts are then heated to thermally decompose the inserts and to form slender channels in the parts. The inserts are flexible and can be woven in the preforms using an automatic loom or have limited flexibility and can be inserted by machine or by hand.