Abstract
The development of low-viscosity preceramic polymers such as Blackglas™1, introduced new opportunities to the processing of ceramic-ceramic composites. Many polymer based liquid processing technologies that have been vastly investigated and established, can now be applied to ceramic composite processing with preceramic polymers. Resin transfer molding (RTM) is one of the most promising techniques adaptable to manufacturing of continuous fiber reinforced, ceramic composite structures with reliable, cost-effective properties. A major drawback of the process is the material loss in the preceramic polymer during processing, resulting in a porous structure that needs to be densified for satisfactory structural performance. This can be accomplished through several process cycles at the expense of cost-effectiveness. One way of reducing the number of cycles and obtaining near-net shapes during the process is the inclusion of inert and/or active filler particles in the polymer during injection.
