Rig and Engine Testing of Melt Infiltrated Ceramic Composites for Combustor and Shroud Applications

GE has developed SiC fiber reinforced SiC-Si matrix composites produced by silicon melt infiltration (MI) for use in gas turbine engine applications. High temperature, high pressure combustion rig testing and engine testing has been performed on combustor liners and turbine shrouds made from such MI composites. Frame 5 sized combustor liners were rig tested under LHE diffusion flame conditions for 150 hours, including 20 thermal trip cycles, with no observed damage to the ceramic liners. Similarly, 46 cm diameter, single piece turbine shroud rings were fabricated and tested in a PGT-2 gas turbine engine. The fabrication and testing of both components are described.