In response to the need for improved engineered materials for advanced elevated temperature applications, the researchers plan to apply the extensive composite processing experience, knowledge base, and understanding acquired in several ceramic and composite development programs to improving the state-of-the-art in chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) processing. Specifically, the researchers intend to combine the forced-flow thermal gradient and pulse techniques of infiltration, directly resulting in higher quality, more economical silicon carbide (SiC) composites for use in heat exchangers and heat engines. The approach has the potential to solve the recurring difficulty of microporosity between fibers due to inadequate infiltration, eliminate the substantial permeability occurring in current state-of-the-art materials, and improve the economics of composite processing via vastly reduced processing times.
