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Abstract

Methods of making fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) parts by compression and injection molding. The compression molding method generally includes the initial steps of placing a quantity of bulk molding compound into a female die of a mold, and pressing a male die of the mold onto the female die so as to displace the bulk molding compound throughout a cavity formed between the female and male dies, so as to form the part. The injection molding method general includes an initial step of injecting a quantity of bulk molding compound into a cavity of a mold. In both methods, the bulk molding compound is a mixture which includes pre-ceramic resin, fibers, and, if desired, filler materials. Once the part has been formed by either method, the mold is heated at a temperature and for a time associated with the pre-ceramic resin which polymerizes the resin to form a fiber-reinforced polymer composite structure. The part is then removed from the mold, and heated a second time at a temperature and for a time associated with the polymerized resin which pyrolyzes it to form the finished FRCMC structure. These methods can also be modified to allow for the molding of heterogeneous FRCMC parts wherein different portions of the part contain different types of fiber and, if desired, different filler materials, so as to vary the characteristics exhibited by each portion thereof.

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