COMPLEX, NET-SHAPE CERAMIC COMPOSITE COMPONENTS FOR STRUCTURAL, LITHOGRAPHY, MIRROR AND ARMOR APPLICATIONS

摘要

M Cubed has developed a pressure-less infiltration method for economic manufacture of large, complex metal-ceramic composite components. In this process, high strength particle/fiber preforms are first produced. The high strength of the preforms allows "green" machining to create complex features. Preform bonding technologies allow creation of complex shapes such as beams, structures with cooling passages, light-weight mirrors, machine bases etc. Due to minimal shrinkage (<0.5%) in the final infiltration step, minimal final machining is required. The material composition is varied to tailor composite thermal expansion, stiffness, strength, fracture toughness and ballistic properties. Methods have been developed to manufacture light-weight ceramic composite mirrors for space applications. This paper will describe the manufacturing process used for fabricating large (>lm) complex components and volume rnanufacturing (10,000/month) of ceramic composite tiles for personnel armor.