Ribbonized tows for optimized improved composite performance

1. A method of preparing a ceramic fabric for use in a ceramic matrix composite, the method comprising:

transforming a ceramic tow from a first tow geometry to a second tow geometry, thereby reducing a first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing a second dimension of the ceramic tow orthogonal to the first dimension to produce a flattened ceramic tow;

weaving or braiding the flattened ceramic tow to form the ceramic fabric, wherein the second dimension of the flattened ceramic tow is oriented parallel to a surface of the ceramic fabric; and

removing a size material from the ceramic tow prior to transforming the ceramic tow.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the ceramic tow includes:

securing the ceramic tow in tension across at least some of a plurality of rollers, wherein two or more of the plurality of rollers are arranged to apply opposing pressure to the ceramic tow; and

passing the ceramic tow through the plurality of rollers, thereby reducing the first dimension of the ceramic tow and increasing the second dimension of the ceramic tow.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

preparing the flattened ceramic tow before the step of forming the ceramic fabric, wherein preparing the flattened ceramic tow comprises wetting the flattened ceramic tow with one of water, ethanol, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl butyral.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the ceramic tow reduces the first dimension of the ceramic tow by at least 15% and increases the second dimension by at least 15%.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein transforming the ceramic tow reduces the first dimension of the ceramic tow by at least 30% and increases the second dimension by at least 30%.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

separating the flattened ceramic tow prior to forming the ceramic fabric to form a plurality of flattened ceramic subtows; and

wherein weaving or braiding the flattened ceramic tow to form the ceramic fabric comprises forming the ceramic fabric using the plurality of flattened ceramic subtows.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the flattened ceramic subtows have 25% to 50% the number of filaments as the corresponding flattened ceramic tow.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

separating the ceramic fabric into a plurality of plies, wherein an average inter-tow pore size of each ply is 35% or less of an average center-to-center spacing of the flattened ceramic tows; and

laying up the plurality of plies to form a preform structure.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flattened ceramic tows are woven to form the ceramic fabric, and wherein the ceramic fabric has an ends-per-inch or picks-per-inch count from 10 to 16.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flattened ceramic tows are braided to from the ceramic fabric, and wherein the ceramic fabric has 5 to 12 plaits per inch.