Low-cost Innovative Erosion-resistant Environment-durable Ceramic Matrix Materials for Advanced SiC/SiC(N, Me) CMC

MATECH GSM (MG) proposes demonstrating a low-cost and enhanced-environment- and erosion-resistant CMC material system, ASGMAC (SiC/SiC(N,Me)), by optimizing MG’s low-cycle PIP matrix densification method and by adopting modified (and/or functionally graded) polymer pre-cursor derived matrices for higher erosion and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures up to ~2700F. The modified and functionally graded matrices are to be functioned for mitigating the current issues of the EBC onto the Si-based CMC substrates, such as poor impact resistance and unstable microstructures of the CMC surface over-coating. MG has successfully demonstrated 5-cycle PIP densifications of 2D / 3D architecture CMC panels using a pre-ceramic Si-based polymer and also has successfully synthesized a variety of Zr- (or Hf-) based ultra-high temperature pre-ceramic polymers for UHT ceramic fibers and matrices. The CMC community is well aware of several issues having to do with the Si-based material systems; one of those is a necessity for significant improvement in moisture and salt-fog corrosion resistance. MG’s objectives are: 1) Tailor the matrix composition rather than using Si-based but other refractory-based ceramic matrix formation, 2) Add second refractory or rare-earth oxide forming element in the current Si-based SiC or SiNC polymer that enhances moisture / salt-fog environmental resistance.