초록 ▼

This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization

This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization followed by pyrolysis reactions in the preform ultimately creating ceramic and/or carbon matrices. Since the monomers possess low-molecular-weight they have low viscosities. Thus, if they wet the fiber and partially-densified preform they can easily impregnate even the smallest pores. Once inside the preforms, polymerization of the monomers is then initiated, resulting in a liquid matrix-precursor of the high molecular weight needed to produce a superior matrix (upon pyrolysis) with high efficiency.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A high-temperature fiber-reinforced carbon-carbon composite material of essentially uniform density, fabricated by the steps of: (a) providing a carbon fiber preform of desired shape and fiber placement; (b) providing melted naphthalene; (c) impregnating said fiber preform with said naphthal

1. A high-temperature fiber-reinforced carbon-carbon composite material of essentially uniform density, fabricated by the steps of: (a) providing a carbon fiber preform of desired shape and fiber placement; (b) providing melted naphthalene; (c) impregnating said fiber preform with said naphthalene; (d) polymerizing said naphthalene in-situ in a single phase process into a pre-carbon polymer of desired molecular weight; (e) pryolyzing said pre-carbon polymer to form a carbon matrix material; and (f) repeating steps (c)-(e) to further densify said preform. 2. The product of claim 1 wherein a microscopic filler material is mixed with said melted naphthalene prior to impregnation.