The present document describes methods for drying an aqueous priming coating composition covering an external surface exposed to air of a carbon material, or an aqueous coating composition covering an intermediate substrate covering an external surface exposed to air of a carbon material, to form a layer thereon. Also described are systems for drying a coating composition covering a surface of a carbon material.

The present document describes methods for drying an aqueous priming coating composition covering an external surface exposed to air of a carbon material, or an aqueous coating composition covering an intermediate substrate covering an external surface exposed to air of a carbon material, to form a layer thereon. Also described are systems for drying a coating composition covering a surface of a carbon material.

Methods for improving the wear performance of silicon nitride and/or other ceramic materials, particularly to make them more suitable for use in manufacturing biomedical implants.

Methods for improving the wear performance of silicon nitride and/or other ceramic materials, particularly to make them more suitable for use in manufacturing biomedical implants.

Provided is a silicon carbide-tantalum carbide composite having excellent durability. A silicon carbide-tantalum carbide composite (1) includes: a body (10) whose surface layer is at least partly formed of a first silicon carbide layer (12); a tantalum carbide layer (20); and a second silicon carbide layer (13). The tantalum carbide layer (20) is disposed over the first silicon carbide layer (12). The second silicon carbide layer (13) is interposed between the tantalum carbide layer (20) and the first silicon carbide layer (12). The second silicon carbide layer (13) has a C/Si composition ratio of not less than 1.2 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The second silicon carbide layer (13) has a peak intensity ratio G/D of not less than 1.0 between the G-band and D-band of carbon as measured by Raman spectroscopy.

Provided is a silicon carbide-tantalum carbide composite having excellent durability. A silicon carbide-tantalum carbide composite (1) includes: a body (10) whose surface layer is at least partly formed of a first silicon carbide layer (12); a tantalum carbide layer (20); and a second silicon carbide layer (13). The tantalum carbide layer (20) is disposed over the first silicon carbide layer (12). The second silicon carbide layer (13) is interposed between the tantalum carbide layer (20) and the first silicon carbide layer (12). The second silicon carbide layer (13) has a C/Si composition ratio of not less than 1.2 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The second silicon carbide layer (13) has a peak intensity ratio G/D of not less than 1.0 between the G-band and D-band of carbon as measured by Raman spectroscopy.

A method of altering a surface of a ceramic matrix composite to aid in nodule removal is described. A fiber preform comprising a framework of ceramic fibers is heated to a temperature at or above a melting temperature of silicon. During the heating, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a molten material comprising silicon. After the infiltration, the fiber preform is cooled, and the infiltrated fiber preform is exposed to a gas comprising nitrogen during cooling. Silicon nitride may be formed by a reaction of free (unreacted) silicon at or near the surface of the infiltrated fiber preform with the nitrogen. Thus, a ceramic matrix composite having a surface configured for easy nodule removal is formed. Any silicon nodules formed on the surface during cooling may be removed without machining or heat treatment.

A method of altering a surface of a ceramic matrix composite to aid in nodule removal is described. A fiber preform comprising a framework of ceramic fibers is heated to a temperature at or above a melting temperature of silicon. During the heating, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a molten material comprising silicon. After the infiltration, the fiber preform is cooled, and the infiltrated fiber preform is exposed to a gas comprising nitrogen during cooling. Silicon nitride may be formed by a reaction of free (unreacted) silicon at or near the surface of the infiltrated fiber preform with the nitrogen. Thus, a ceramic matrix composite having a surface configured for easy nodule removal is formed. Any silicon nodules formed on the surface during cooling may be removed without machining or heat treatment.

Disclosed is a method for making a ceramic matrix composite. The method includes infiltrating an initial ceramic matrix composite with a molten silicon infiltration material to form a silicon infiltrated composite; cooling the silicon infiltrated composite; heating a first portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite to a temperature in excess of the melt temperature of the silicon infiltration material in the presence of a carbon source; heating a second portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite to a temperature in excess of the melt temperature of the silicon infiltration material in the presence of a carbon source after heating the first portion; and cooling the heated portions to form a final ceramic matrix composite, wherein the first portion and second portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite are adjacent or overlap.

The invention relates to a method for treating magnesia-carbon products.