Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Gas Turbine Applications

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites are being considered for application in hot-gas turbines. A forced-flow thermal-gradient chemical vapor infiltration process has been developed to fabricate composites of thick-walled tubular geometry common to many components. Fibrous preforms of different fiber architectures (3dimensionally braided and filament wound) have been investigated to accommodate components with different mechanical property requirements. This paper will discuss the fabrication of tubular fiberreinforced SiC matrix composites and their mechanical properties.