Castable, Chopped Fiber Composites
Capability Description: PSI’s castable CMC systems provide a lower-cost option for manufactured CMCs. These components are fabricated by casting chopped carbon fiber pre-preg into billets that are then machined to shape before ceramitization. The final parts have a shorter fabrication and processing time than continuous-fiber CMCs while decreasing weight/ density and increasing service temperatures relative to metallic alloy components.
Key Features/Benefits:
- Lower cost than continuous fiber lamination process
- Easily Machined, similarly to graphite
- Less processing cycles needed than continuous fiber preforms
- Higher thermal performance than some alloys (up to 1900°F)
- Lighter weight than alloys
- Easily accommodates complex shapes
(Top) Cast Billet preform (Bottom) Ring machined from cast billet preform