An apparatus for making a composite article includes a monofilament feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of ceramic monofilament strands, a fiber yarn feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of fiber yarn tows impregnated with a plurality of glass particulates, a mandrel, and a heater assembly. The mandrel is adapted to wind together individual glass-impregnated fiber yarn strands and individual ceramic monofilament strands to form a dual-fiber weave. The heater assembly is adapted to heat at least the glass particulates such that pressure from the wound array of ceramic monofilaments is sufficient to consolidate the glass particulates and the dual-fiber weave into a dual-fiber ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

An apparatus for making a composite article includes a monofilament feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of ceramic monofilament strands, a fiber yarn feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of fiber yarn tows impregnated with a plurality of glass particulates, a mandrel, and a heater assembly. The mandrel is adapted to wind together individual glass-impregnated fiber yarn strands and individual ceramic monofilament strands to form a dual-fiber weave. The heater assembly is adapted to heat at least the glass particulates such that pressure from the wound array of ceramic monofilaments is sufficient to consolidate the glass particulates and the dual-fiber weave into a dual-fiber ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

A method of preparing a fiber for use in forming a ceramic matrix composite material comprises the steps of removing a polymer coating from an outer surface of glass or ceramic fibers by providing heated and humidified gas across the glass or ceramic fibers for a period of time.

A method of preparing a fiber for use in forming a ceramic matrix composite material comprises the steps of removing a polymer coating from an outer surface of glass or ceramic fibers by providing heated and humidified gas across the glass or ceramic fibers for a period of time.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

Fiber reinforced aerogel composites, including a transparent composite material that contains an aerogel and fibers embedded into the aerogel and/or bonded to one or more surfaces of the aerogel, and composites that contain an aerogel tile and an assemblage of fibers embedded into the aerogel tile or bonded to the aerogel tile that are useful as Cherenkov radiators for the detection and identification of subatomic particles. Also, methods of making and using the composites.

Fiber reinforced aerogel composites, including a transparent composite material that contains an aerogel and fibers embedded into the aerogel and/or bonded to one or more surfaces of the aerogel, and composites that contain an aerogel tile and an assemblage of fibers embedded into the aerogel tile or bonded to the aerogel tile that are useful as Cherenkov radiators for the detection and identification of subatomic particles. Also, methods of making and using the composites.

A ceramic article formed from a plurality of materials, the ceramic article being characterized by the addition of glass fibers having a certain length, diameter and aspect ratio and a method for forming a ceramic article.

A ceramic article formed from a plurality of materials, the ceramic article being characterized by the addition of glass fibers having a certain length, diameter and aspect ratio and a method for forming a ceramic article.