초록 ▼

The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scav

The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the composite body such that any undesirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the getterer material(s) form at least one compound (e.g., at least one glassy material) which acts as a crack sealant, thereby further enhancing the oxidation protection of the composite body. One or more ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of superimposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer. The coated materials may be useful as reinforcing materials in ceramic matrix composites to provide improved mechanical properties such as fracture toughness. The present invention also relates to improved composites which incorporate these materials, and to their methods of manufacture.

대표청구항 ▼

A coated ceramic filler material adapted for use as a reinforcing component to be embedded in a matrix to form a composite material, said coated ceramic filler material comprising: a ceramic filler material having a plurality of superimposed coatings and at least one oxygen getterer material, said p

A coated ceramic filler material adapted for use as a reinforcing component to be embedded in a matrix to form a composite material, said coated ceramic filler material comprising: a ceramic filler material having a plurality of superimposed coatings and at least one oxygen getterer material, said plurality of superimposed coatings comprising a first coating in at least partial contact with said ceramic filler material forming a first zonal junction between said ceramic filler material and said first coating, and an outer coating in at least partial contact with an underlying coating forming a second zonal junction between said outer coating and said underlying coating and also foraging a third zonal junction between said outer coating and the matrix when said matrix embeds said coated ceramic filler material to form said composite material, and the zonal shear strength of at least one of the zonal junctions being weak relative to a remainder of the other zonal junctions to permit (a) debonding of said ceramic filler material on application of stress prior to fracture of said ceramic filler material and (b) pull-out of said ceramic filler material upon fracture of said ceramic filler material, said at least one oxygen getterer material being located at at least one location selected from the group consisting of (1) adjacent to and contacting said ceramic filler material, (2) adjacent to and contacting at least one of said superimposed coatings and (3) within at least one of said superimposed coatings, said oxygen getterer material being capable of reacting with oxygen at an elevated temperature to form an oxide material.