CERAMIC COMPOSITES/FINE STRUCTURES

The development and scale-up of processes to produce high-quality ceramic composites is a major focus of the Surface Processing and Mechanics Group. Two R&D 100 awards have been received for chemical vapor infiltration (CVl) of high-density composites and low-density filtration media. The group also has expertise in fiber interface coating, minicomposite system evaluation, and hybrid techniques that utilize liquid impregnation. Components of the order of 30 cm in diameter and over 2 cm in wall thickness can be prepared, as can cylindrical forms up to 13 cm in diameter with significant (1cm) wall thicknesses. The current base matrix material is SiC, but other systems such as BN, carbon, and a-Si₃N₄ have been demonstrated.

CVI ANIMATION

CVI TUBES

HOT GAS FILTER

BIPOLAR PLATE