Method for repairing composite components using a plug
A method for repairing composite components includes installing a plug within a feature defined by a composite component, with the plug being formed from one or more neutral materials. Furthermore, the method includes infiltrating the composite component with an infiltrant to densify a repair region of the composite component, with the plug blocking a flow of the infiltrant into the feature. Moreover, after infiltrating the composite component, the method includes removing the plug from the feature.
1. A method for repairing composite components, the method comprising:
filling a feature defined by a composite component with one or more neutral particulate materials;
compacting the one or more neutral particulate materials to form a plug within the feature;
infiltrating the composite component with an infiltrant to densify a repair region of the composite component, the plug blocking a flow of the infiltrant into the feature; and
after infiltrating the composite component, removing the plug from the feature.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plug entirely fills the feature defined by the composite component.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the plug from the feature comprises chemically removing the plug from the feature defined by the composite component.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the plug from the feature comprises mechanically removing the plug from the feature defined by the composite component.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include a bond resistant material.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include boron nitride.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include polytetrafluoroethylene.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises a hole.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises a slot.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein infiltrating the composite component comprises melt infiltrating the composite component with the infiltrant to densify the repair region of the composite component.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
positioning a repair material on the repair region of the composite component before infiltrating the composite component with the infiltrant.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the repair material comprises silicon carbide and the infiltrant comprises silicon.
13. A method for repairing composite turbomachine components, the method comprising:
filling a feature defined by a composite turbomachine component with one or more neutral and bond resistant particulate materials;
compacting the one or more neutral and bond resistant particulate materials to form a plug within the feature;
infiltrating the composite turbomachine component with an infiltrant to densify a repair region of the composite turbomachine component, the plug blocking a flow of the infiltrant into the feature; and
after infiltrating the composite turbomachine component, removing the plug from the feature.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the composite turbomachine component comprises a gas turbine engine vane, a gas turbine engine blade, or a gas turbine engine shroud block.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein removing the plug from the feature comprises chemically removing the plug the from the feature defined by the composite turbomachine component.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein removing the plug from the feature comprises mechanically removing the plug the from the feature defined by the composite turbomachine component.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plug entirely fills the feature defined by the composite turbomachine component.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include a bond resistant material.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include boron nitride.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the one or more neutral particulate materials include polytetrafluoroethylene.