Processes for infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RTX CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
Smart Images
Figure US2025057004_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WOPROCESSES FOR INFILTRATING A PARTIALLY DENSIFIED CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to processes for infiltrating ceramic matrix composites and, in particular, to processes for infiltrating partially densified ceramic matrix composites.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a process for fabricating a melt-infiltrated ceramic matrix composite, a partially densified ceramic matrix composite is infiltrated using any number of techniques to introduce any number of particles within the composite. One such technique is a vacuum slurry infiltration technique. Vacuum slurry infiltration techniques may successfully infiltrate particles within the composite. However, the degree and extent to which the particles are infiltrated can impact and influence the degree to which the resultant particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite can be melt-infiltrated. In turn, a melt-infiltrated ceramic matrix composite whose resultant mass and / or density is less than optimal will not perform adequately once incorporated into, e.g., a gas turbine engine component for use in an operating environment of a gas turbine engine.
[0003] For this reason, there exists a need for an improved process for infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite to produce an improved particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure is directed, in a first aspect, to a process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time; introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent andRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a particle loading amount including approximately 10 to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.
[0005] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the first pressure comprises approximately 1 millitorr to approximately 500 torr.
[0006] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the period of time comprises at least 20 seconds.
[0007] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is less than the first pressure.
[0008] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
[0009] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is equivalent to the first pressure.
[0010] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 10 to approximately 60 percent by volume.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO
[0011] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the slurry comprises a viscosity of approximately 1 cP shear to approximately 5000 cP shear.
[0012] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
[0013] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following: metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time; introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent and at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 20 percent by volume to approximately 65 percent by volume.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO
[0015] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the first pressure comprises approximately 10 millitorr to approximately 100 torr.
[0016] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the period of time comprises at least 20 seconds.
[0017] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is less than the first pressure.
[0018] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
[0019] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the second pressure is equivalent to the first pressure.
[0020] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the particle loading amount includes approximately 10 percent by volume to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.
[0021] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the slurry comprises a viscosity of approximately 10 cP shear to approximately 2500 cP shear.
[0022] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
[0023] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following:RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.
[0024] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time; introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent and at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 20 percent by volume to approximately 65 percent by volume and a particle loading amount including approximately 10 percent by volume to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.
[0025] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
[0026] In further embodiments of the present disclosure, including further embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments, the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following: metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WOBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0027] The features of the disclosure believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The disclosure itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, can best be understood by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment(s) which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for vacuum slurry infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix preform.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the features and / or steps described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein or would otherwise be appreciated by one of skill in the art. It is to be understood that all concentrations disclosed herein are by weight percent (wt. %.) based on a total weight of the composition unless otherwise indicated.
[0030] The present disclosure is directed to an exemplary vacuum slurry infiltration process for infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite with a slurry containing a solvent and any number of various types of particles, e.g., metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, combinations thereof, and the like. Numerous parameters of the slurry composition may influence the vacuum slurry infiltration process parameters. Moreover, those same slurry composition parameters may also influence a future meltinfiltration process that follows to fully densify the ceramic matrix composite.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO
[0031] The present disclosure is directed to an exemplary process for vacuum slurry infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite to fabricate a particle filled densified ceramic matrix composite. As used herein, a "partially densified ceramic matrix composite" or "partially densified CMC" refers to a coated substrate or preform that includes a SiC layer that facilitates rigidization of the coated substrate or preform. In at least one embodiment, the partially densified ceramic matrix composite may also include interface coating materials applied to the fibers and / or fiber tows after having been woven into a substrate or preform structure.
[0032] The partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be infiltrated with a slurry formulation that may further densify the substrate. The slurry formulation may contain constituents dispersed therein such as, but not limited to, solvent, binder, particulate material, combinations thereof, and the like. The slurry formulation also may include, but is not limited to, at least one particle. The particles may include, but not is not limited to, a carbon source particle, a metal particle; a metalloid particle; a carbide particle, a nitride particle; a boride particle; an oxide particle; combinationsthereof, and the like. Likewise ,the particles may include reactive particles that may reactively transform with elevated temperature and also potentially exposure to additional particles and / or infiltrants present. These additional particles and / or infiltrants may include, but are not limited to, particles and / or infiltrants that may yield a carbide former particle, a nitride former particle, a boride former particle, an oxide former particle; and, combinations comprising any one of the aforementioned particles, and the like.
[0033] For exemplary purposes, at least one exemplary slurry disclosed herein may comprise a mixture of carbon-source particles and silicon carbide particles so as to highlight certain, but not all, potential benefits and advantages of the process. In at least one other embodiment, at least one other exemplary slurry may include a mixture of oxide particle and silicon carbide particles.
[0034] In either aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the slurry formulation may affect the loading by volume of the reactive particles used for viscosity modification later in the slurry infiltration process. The future chosen melt infiltration process also may influence how theRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO exemplary slurry may be formulated. In at least one embodiment, the amount of reaction time that may be required to achieve complete conversion of the reactive carbon-source particles present into silicon carbide may also be influential. In at least one other embodiment, the silicon carbide present in the slurry also may provide a route for dispersing the carbon-source particles within the slurry so that the carbon-source particle may minimize aggregation and clustering. For example, the aggregated and clumped diamond powder may not react easily and / or sufficiently to convert to silicon carbide. For example, the increased amount of silicon carbide introduced by the slurry may reduce the reaction of diamond required to achieve complete silicon carbide conversion. Likewise, in an oxide-based system, silicon carbide particles may separate oxide ceramic particle that may later react in a downstream process step. Such separation may allow for improved homogeneity as well as may increase the thermal conductivity of the resulting matrix post reaction.
[0035] In at least one embodiment, a difference in size between the particles within the slurry may influence the distribution of particles within the slurry and reduce the viscosity. For example, the larger silicon carbide particles may assist dispersing the smaller, by comparison, carbon-source powder so as to facilitate uniform distribution of the particles a within the slurry and the composite after infiltration. For instance, the particle size range may be based on a desired solution viscosity required for infiltration and the requirements for the particles after slurry infiltration. For instance, if reactive processes occur after slurry infiltration takes place, then smaller particle sizes may be required so as not to limit reaction rates. In at least one embodiment, the particles may exhibit and possess a single mode distribution and may provide a uniform sizing. In at least one other embodiment, the particles may exhibit and possess a multi-modal distribution to facilitate viscosity control, particle separation, and other desirable effects. Exemplary multi-modal particle size distribution ranges may be approximately 10 nm to approximately 100 pm and approximately 100 nm to approximately 20 microns. The particles' size, concentration, and surface charge may all influence the infiltration ability of the resultant slurry. For this reason, these factors may require balancing. In at least one embodiment, theRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO multi-modal particle size distributions may help stabilize the viscosity of the slurry while also permitting higher loading. In at least one other embodiment, the multi-modal particle size distribution may also assist spacing the different particle sizes within the pores and / or porous network after infiltration takes place.
[0036] While the average particle and powder sizes of the silicon carbide and diamond or oxide particles, respectively, may influence the exemplary process and achieve the desired resultant ceramic matrix composite disclosed herein, the chemistry of the slurry disclosed herein also may be an influential parameter. That is, the particle and powder sizes within and overall viscosity of the slurry may be balanced to ensure sufficient stability against sedimentation. To achieve sufficient stability, a viscosity modifier may be added to the slurry to achieve the desired balance. The viscosity modifiers may include any agents compatible with the solvent and additives, and achieve the desired balance. Suitable viscosity modifiers may include, but are not limited to, rheological modifiers, polymers (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol), pH buffers, salts, other similar modifiers, combinations thereof, and the like. An amount of viscosity modifier sufficient to tune the viscosity of the slurry and provide sufficient balance against sedimentation of the various particles and / or various powders may be added. The viscosity modifier may be added in an amount of approximately 0.5 percent by weight to approximately 50 percent by weight based on the amount of water present as the solvent of the slurry. Incorporating a viscosity modifier may either reduce or increase the viscosity of the solvent. By increasing the viscosity of the solvent, the sedimentation time may be reduced an amount sufficient so that the slurry remains stable for the necessary processing time. In at least one embodiment, the overall slurry viscosity also may depend on the particle and powder loading and so a balance in slurry composition may be required along with any solution stability to address interactions from the particles and powder. For example, an exemplary slurry composition may include a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry, preferably approximately 20 percent by volume to application 60 percent by volume of the slurry, more preferably 30 percent by volume to approximately 50 percent by volume of the slurry, andRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO most preferably 40 percent by volume of the slurry. A desired viscosity range for the slurry of the exemplary process disclosed herein may be approximately 1 cP to approximately 5000 cP.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite is shown. At an exemplary step 100 of FIG. 1, a vacuum infiltration apparatus may be provided. The vacuum infiltration apparatus may include a vacuum chamber that may house at least one vessel containing the partially densified ceramic matrix composite and, later in the exemplary process, receive an exemplary slurry. Next, at a step 200 of FIG. 1, the partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be loaded and secured within the vacuum chamber. The partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be secured using any technique suitable for withstanding the environment within the vessel during the vacuum slurry infiltration technique, while providing adequate access for the slurry to contact the partially densified ceramic matrix composite. Next, at an exemplary step 300 of FIG. 1, the vacuum chamber may be sealed such that a static pressure forms within the chamber. Next, at an exemplary step 400 of FIG. 1, the vacuum chamber may be evacuated such that the static pressure may be altered to a first pressure. The first pressure may be, but is not limited to, a pressure value of approximately 250 torr or a pressure range of approximately 100 torr to approximately 400 torr. Next, at an exemplary step 500 of FIG. 1, the first pressure may be maintained for a period of time. The period of time may be sufficient to evacuate all the atmosphere from the pores and / or porous network of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite housed within the vessel.
[0038] Next, at an exemplary step 600 of FIG. 1, the first pressure may be altered to a second pressure. The second pressure may be, but is not limited to, a pressure value of approximately 100 millitorr or a pressure range of approximately 1 millitorr to approximately 100 torr. In at least one embodiment, the second pressure value may be equivalent to, less than or greater than the first pressure previously maintained in the vacuum chamber. Concurrently, at the exemplary step 600, the aforementioned exemplary slurry discussed above may be introduced into the aforementioned vessel at the second pressure. When introducing the exemplary slurry at the second pressure, the exemplary slurry may bubble, readily boil and induce other violent motionsRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO associated with instantaneously taking the slurry into a boiling state. In turn, those violent motions may be translated to the vessel. The partially densified ceramic matrix composite may remain secured in place within the vessel and subjected to complete infiltration. In the present exemplary process, separating the introduction of the slurry to the vessel from the boiling of the slurry within the vessel also may facilitate the aforementioned complete infiltration. For example, if applying a pressure greater than approximately 500 torr, the particle infiltration of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite may not be achieved. The particles may begin infiltrating the pores of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite too quickly and clog the pores. The resultant partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be "picture framed", that is, the particles may only be infiltrated to a certain depth within the composite while the interior porous network of the composite may remain hollow and empty.
[0039] Next, at an exemplary step 700 of FIG. 1, the slurry may be infiltrated into the secured partially densified ceramic matrix composite. In addition, the partially densified ceramic matrix composite also may be infiltrated by the particles in the non-sedimented state contained within the slurry. If necessary, the particle infiltration of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be repeated until a desired particle loading of the composite may be achieved. Next, once exemplary step 700 is completed, the vacuum chamber may be restored to the starting static pressure at an exemplary step 800 of FIG. 1. Afterwards, at exemplary steps 900 and 1000 of FIG. 1, an excess amount of slurry may be removed from the vessel, as well as the particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, respectively.
[0040] In at least one embodiment, the resultant particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite may exhibit and possess a particle loading amount including approximately 10 to approximately 70 percent by volume, and preferably approximately 10 to approximately 40 percent by volume, of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite. In at least one other embodiment, the resultant particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite may exhibit and possess a porosity of approximately 10 to approximately 70 percent by volume. In yet at least one other embodiment, the resultant particle infiltrated partially densified ceramicRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO matrix composite may exhibit and possess a particle loading amount including approximately 10 to approximately 75 by percent by volume, and preferably approximately 25 to approximately 50 by percent by volume, of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite, and a porosity of approximately 10 to approximately 70 percent by volume. As discussed earlier, the resultant particle loading amount and / or porosity of the particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite may be subjected to a future melt-infiltration step whose resultant melt infiltrant loading amount may be influenced and / or impacted by the aforementioned resultant particle loading amount and / or porosity.
[0041] While the present disclosure has been particularly described, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
Claims
RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time; introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent and at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a particle loading amount including approximately 10 to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein the first pressure comprises approximately 1 millitorr to approximately 500 torr.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein the period of time comprises at least 20 seconds.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO4. The process of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is equivalent to the first pressure.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 10 to approximately 60 percent by volume.
8. The process of claim 1, wherein the slurry comprises a viscosity of approximately 1 cP shear to approximately 5000 cP shear.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following: metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.
11. A process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time;RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent and at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 20 percent by volume to approximately 65 percent by volume.
12. The process of claim 11, wherein the first pressure comprises approximately 10 millitorr to approximately 100 torr.
13. The process of claim 11, wherein the period of time comprises at least 20 seconds.
14. The process of claim 11, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure.
15. The process of claim 11, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
16. The process of claim 11, wherein the second pressure is equivalent to the first pressure.
17. The process of claim 11, wherein the particle loading amount includes approximately 10 percent by volume to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.RTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO18. The process of claim 11, wherein the slurry comprises a viscosity of approximately 10 cP shear to approximately 2500 cP shear.
19. The process of claim 11, wherein the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
20. The process of claim 11, wherein the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following: metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.
21. A process for vacuum infiltrating a partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber containing a vessel; loading and securing at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite within the vessel; sealing the vacuum chamber at a static pressure; evacuating the vacuum chamber from the static pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the first pressure for a period of time; introducing into the vessel at a second pressure a slurry comprising a solvent and at least one particle in a non-sedimented state while the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite remains secured; infiltrating the slurry into the at least one partially densified ceramic matrix composite to form at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite; restoring the vacuum chamber to the static pressure; removing an excess amount of the slurry; and removing the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite, wherein the at least one particle infiltrated partially densified ceramic matrix composite comprises a porosity of approximately 20 percent by volume to approximately 65 percent byRTX Ref. No.: 182234WO01MWZB Ref. No.: RTXPW-0074-WO volume and a particle loading amount including approximately 10 percent by volume to approximately 75 percent by volume of at least one pore of the partially densified ceramic matrix composite.
22. The process of claim 21, wherein the slurry comprises a particle loading amount of greater than approximately 0 percent by volume to approximately 70 percent by volume of the slurry.
23. The process of claim 21, wherein the at least one particle comprises one or more of the following: metal particles, metal oxide particles, oxide ceramic particles, ceramic particles, and combinations thereof.