Compression-resin transfer molding of particle-filled ceramic-ceramic composites

Compression Resin Transfer Molding is introduced as an alternative to Resin Transfer Molding for processing particle-filled, continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic-ceramic composites. The need for particle-polymer suspension stabilization is stressed and a procedure for Blackglas(TM) preceramic monomer/SiC particle suspension stabilization is presented. Sample composite parts are manufactured. The results indicate that filler inclusion may result in higher closed porosities in preceramic polymer based, fiber composites. The reimpregnation gain on the otherhand, can significantly be reduced with filler inclusion, indicating possible reduction of numer of reimpregnation cycles. The flexure strengths of filled parts were observed to decrease with increasing content.