Multilayered ceramic matrix composite structure having increased structural strength

1. A ceramic matrix composite structure, comprising:

a three-dimensional weave fabric forming a core layer, wherein the three-dimensional weave fabric is formed from a ceramic matrix composite fabric having components extending in an X, Y, and Z directions;

a two-dimensional weave fabric attached to an outer top surface of the three-dimensional weave fabric such that the two-dimensional weave fabric forms a top layer; and

a two-dimensional weave fabric attached to an outer bottom surface of the three-dimensional weave fabric generally opposite to the outer top surface such that the two-dimensional weave fabric forms a bottom layer.

2. The ceramic matrix composite structure of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the core layer formed by the three-dimensional weave fabric is less than about 4 millimeters.

3. The ceramic matrix composite structure of claim 2 , wherein the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the top layer has a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.

4. The ceramic matrix composite structure of claim 3 , wherein the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the bottom layer has a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.

5. The ceramic matrix composite structure of claim 1 , wherein Z-fibers forming the three-dimensional weave fabric extend in a thru-thickness direction and are substantially straight.

6. The ceramic matrix composite structure of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the core layer formed by the three-dimensional weave fabric is about 4 millimeters, the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the top layer has a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters, and the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the bottom layer has a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.

7. A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite structure, comprising:

providing a two-dimensional preform of a weave fabric;

infiltrating the two-dimensional preform, laying the two-dimensional preform on tooling and consolidating the two-dimensional preform;

providing a three-dimensional preform of a weave fabric to form a core layer to conform with a two-dimensional weave fabric, wherein the three-dimensional preform is formed from components extending in an X, Y, and Z directions;

infiltrating the three-dimensional preform with a ceramic powder slurry;

attaching the two-dimensional preform to a top surface of the three-dimensional preform;

providing a two-dimensional preform of a weave fabric for a bottom layer;

infiltrating the two-dimensional preform for a bottom layer, laying the two-dimensional preform on tooling and consolidating the two-dimensional preform;

attaching the two-dimensional preform for a bottom layer to a bottom surface of the three-dimensional preform to form a bottom layer; and

consolidating the top layer, core layer, and bottom layer to form the ceramic matrix composite structure.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein providing the three-dimensional preform comprises providing the three-dimensional preform having a thickness less than about 4 millimeters.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein providing the two-dimensional preform that forms the top layer comprises providing the two-dimensional preform having a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein providing the two-dimensional preform that forms the bottom layer comprises providing the two-dimensional preform having a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein providing the two-dimensional preform of a weave fabric comprises providing the two-dimensional preform of a weave fabric with Z-fibers extending in a thru-thickness direction that are substantially straight.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein providing the three-dimensional preform forming the core layer comprises providing the three-dimensional preform having a thickness of about 4 millimeters, wherein providing the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the top layer comprises providing the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the top layer having a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters, and wherein providing the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the bottom layer comprises providing the two-dimensional weave fabric that forms the bottom layer having a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters.