Composite component with environmental protection
An article includes a ceramic matrix composite article including ceramic-based reinforcements disposed in a ceramic-based matrix and a barrier layer present at least in part within bounds of the ceramic-based matrix of the ceramic matrix composite article. A method of applying a barrier layer to an article is also disclosed.
1. A method, comprising:
providing a ceramic matrix composite article including ceramic-based reinforcements disposed in a ceramic-based matrix; and
applying a barrier layer to the ceramic matrix composite article such that the barrier layer infiltrates into voids in the ceramic matrix composite article
wherein the ceramic matrix composite article has a surface region having a looser weave structure compared to a weave structure in a body of the ceramic matrix composite article.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the ceramic matrix composite article includes providing fugitive reinforcements in the ceramic matrix composite article, wherein the fugitive reinforcements are fugitive fibers.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising removing the fugitive reinforcements, thereby leaving behind the voids.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein removing the fugitive reinforcements occurring during manufacture of the ceramic matrix composite article.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the ceramic-based reinforcements are fibers and providing the ceramic matrix composite article includes weaving the fibers into a first weave pattern, and wherein the providing the fugitive reinforcements in the ceramic matrix composite article includes weaving the fugitive fibers of the fugitive reinforcements into a second weave pattern.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first weave pattern and the second weave pattern are the same.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein first weave pattern and the second weave pattern are different.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is applied by slurry coating.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is applied by one of melt infiltration and reactive melting.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein after the applying, the barrier layer includes a top zone extending beyond the ceramic-based matrix and disposed on the surface of the ceramic matrix composite article.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the top zone excludes ceramic-based reinforcements.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ceramic-based reinforcements are fibers.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein providing the ceramic matrix composite article includes weaving the fibers into a three-dimensional weave.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein providing the ceramic matrix composite article includes weaving the fibers into a two-dimensional weave.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the article includes an infiltrated zone in which the barrier layer is present within the bounds of the ceramic-based matrix, and wherein the infiltrated zone is at least about 100 microns thick.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weave structure of the surface region is more open than the weave structure of the body.