Automated Fiber Placement of High-Denier Unidirectional Ox-Ox CMC Slit-Tape
SIMPSON W. 1, TONTISAKIS A. 1, GOERTZ J. 2, ALEX M. 2, SENEVIRATNE W. 2, RAJ D. 1
1 Axiom Materials Inc, Santa Ana, United States; 2 NIAR ATLAS, Wichita, United States
Oxide-Oxide ceramic matrix composites are a proven material for low density, high-temperature components that demand high thermostructural performance. Yet, widespread usage has been limited due to cost and process scalability. Axiom Materials, Inc. in collaboration with the ATLAS lab at NIAR, aims to advance the development of Ox-Ox CMC via an Ox-Ox unidirectional slit-tape for automated fiber placement (AFP). AFP significantly improves layup rates and consistency when compared to traditional hand layup. Automated processes also lower material scrap rates and increase the size and scale of components that may be produced. The work presented will include automated process development & characterization of unidirectional Ox-Ox AFP slit-tape.