SiC Fiber Ceramic Matrix Composite with MAX Phase for Turbine Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic matrix composites for turbine engine components lack sufficient fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance, limiting their industrial and aerospace applications.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic matrix composite comprising continuous silicon carbide fibers in a ceramic matrix with a MAX phase compound, where the MAX phase compound is present at a concentration of 60 wt.% to 99 wt.%, and silicon carbide is present at 1 wt.% to 40 wt.%, along with a silicide, to enhance mechanical and thermal properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ceramic matrix composites are used, then thermal and mechanical properties are achieved, but fracture toughness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining SiC fibers with a matrix containing both SiC and MAX phase compounds. The MAX phase compound (e.g., Ti3SiC2) is incorporated at 60-99 wt.% of the matrix to specifically enhance fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance while maintaining the inherent thermal and mechanical properties of the SiC fiber-reinforced composite structure.
2Temperature
If ceramic matrix composite is used for turbine engine components, then high temperature resistance is achieved, but fracture toughness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a hybrid composite matrix system combining SiC ceramic particles with MAX phase compound particles. The MAX phase compound (containing early transition metal M, A-group element A, and carbon or nitrogen X) is specifically selected to provide high temperature stability while enhancing fracture toughness through its layered hexagonal structure, which allows for energy absorption during crack propagation.
3Weight of moving object
If SiC/SiC composite is used, then low weight and excellent thermal properties are achieved, but thermal shock resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the SiC/SiC composite by introducing MAX phase compound into the matrix, creating a SiC fiber-reinforced composite with a SiC-MAX phase matrix. The MAX phase compound provides improved thermal shock resistance through its unique layered structure that can accommodate thermal stresses, while maintaining the low weight and excellent thermal conductivity characteristics of the original SiC-based composite.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A ceramic matrix composite includes continuous silicon carbide fibers in a ceramic matrix comprising silicon carbide and a MAX phase compound having a chemical composition Mn+1AXn, where M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of: Ti, V, Cr, Sc, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, and Ta; A is a group-A element selected from the group consisting of: Al, Si, P, S, Ga, Ge, As, Cd, In, Sn, TI and Pb; and X is carbon or nitrogen, with n being an integer from 1 to 3.