This invention provides resin formulations which may be used for 3D printing and pyrolyzing to produce a ceramic matrix composite. The resin formulations contain a solid-phase filler, to provide high thermal stability and mechanical strength (e.g., fracture toughness) in the final ceramic material. The invention provides direct, free-form 3D printing of a preceramic polymer loaded with a solid-phase filler, followed by converting the preceramic polymer to a 3D-printed ceramic matrix composite with potentially complex 3D shapes or in the form of large parts. Other variations provide active solid-phase functional additives as solid-phase fillers, to perform or enhance at least one chemical, physical, mechanical, or electrical function within the ceramic structure as it is being formed as well as in the final structure. Solid-phase functional additives actively improve the final ceramic structure through one or more changes actively induced by the additives during pyrolysis or other thermal treatment.

A fabrication apparatus for fabricating ceramic structures of controlled size and composition is provided. The fabrication apparatus includes an additive manufacturing machine configured to dispense preceramic materials in a printed pattern, the printed pattern corresponding to the ceramic structures of the controlled size and composition, a radiation emitter configured to emit curing radiation toward the printed pattern to cure the preceramic materials and a lamp element configured to shine light on the preceramic materials to convert the preceramic materials to ceramics.

A honeycomb body made of a composite material for fire-resistant lightweight structures including honeycomb cells having a cross section is provided. The cell walls of the honeycomb cells are produced from a composite material. The composite material has at least one carrier, for example a woven fabric or a laid fabric made of fibers, and a matrix into which the carrier is embedded. The matrix includes a silicon-based ceramic material, of which the proportion by mass in the matrix along the cell walls is at least 30 wt. %. A method for producing such a ceramic honeycomb body and a honeycomb tube as an intermediate product for the same are also provided. A flat semi-finished product as a curable intermediate product for the production of fire-resistant fiber composite lightweight structures, which has a matrix mixture including dispersed silicon particles, is also provided.

Methods, apparatus and systems using heat exchanger reactors to form polymer derived ceramic materials, including methods for making polysilocarb (SiOC) precursors.

Methods, apparatus and systems using heat exchanger reactors to form polymer derived ceramic materials, including methods for making polysilocarb (SiOC) precursors.

The present invention relates to preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles and as well as methods of making and using same. Advantages of such preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles include, reduced out gassing, desired morphology control and desirable, distinct rheological properties that are not found in simple mixtures. As a result, Applicants' preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles can be used to provide significantly improved, items including but not limited to hypersonic vehicles, jets, rockets, mirrors, signal apertures, furnaces, glow plugs, brakes, and armor.

The present invention relates to preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles and as well as methods of making and using same. Advantages of such preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles include, reduced out gassing, desired morphology control and desirable, distinct rheological properties that are not found in simple mixtures. As a result, Applicants' preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles can be used to provide significantly improved, items including but not limited to hypersonic vehicles, jets, rockets, mirrors, signal apertures, furnaces, glow plugs, brakes, and armor.

Disclosed herein is a chemical vapor infiltration method including flowing ceramic precursors through a preform and depositing a matrix material on the preform at a first gas infiltration pressure, increasing the gas filtration pressure to a second gas infiltration pressure, and lowering the gas infiltration pressure to a third gas infiltration pressure which is intermediate to the first and second gas infiltration pressures.

A Si-containing film forming composition comprising a catalyst and/or a polysilane and a N—H free, C-free, and Si-rich perhydropolysilazane having a molecular weight ranging from approximately 332 dalton to approximately 100,000 dalton and comprising N—H free repeating units having the formula [—N(SiH.sub.3)×(SiH.sub.2−).sub.y], wherein x=0, 1, or 2 and y=0, 1, or 2 with x+y=2; and x=0, 1 or 2 and y=1, 2, or 3 with x+y=3. Also disclosed are synthesis methods and applications for using the same.

A fabrication apparatus for fabricating ceramic structures of controlled size and composition is provided. The fabrication apparatus includes an additive manufacturing machine configured to dispense preceramic materials in a printed pattern, the printed pattern corresponding to the ceramic structures of the controlled size and composition, a radiation emitter configured to emit curing radiation toward the printed pattern to cure the preceramic materials and a lamp element configured to shine light on the preceramic materials to convert the preceramic materials to ceramics.