The preparation of ceramic matrix composite (CMCs) is disclosed in which a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) preform is made with one or more integrated polymer core inserts made of a fugitive material containing polyvinyl butyral. The preform with integrated polymer core inserts to a heat treatment to remove the one or more polymer core inserts (e.g., by melting or burning). Removal of the polymer core inserts forms one or more internal cavities within the composite, which can then be subjected to densification.

The preparation of ceramic matrix composite (CMCs) is disclosed in which a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) preform is made with one or more integrated polymer core inserts made of a fugitive material containing polyvinyl butyral. The preform with integrated polymer core inserts to a heat treatment to remove the one or more polymer core inserts (e.g., by melting or burning). Removal of the polymer core inserts forms one or more internal cavities within the composite, which can then be subjected to densification.

A mold core (and method for making same), for a concrete product mold comprising a mold core wall shaped to extend from a mold surface into an interior of the mold, preventing concrete from filling an area of the mold interior when the mold core is installed on the mold surface, the mold core wall comprising welded-together steel wire.

A mold core (and method for making same), for a concrete product mold comprising a mold core wall shaped to extend from a mold surface into an interior of the mold, preventing concrete from filling an area of the mold interior when the mold core is installed on the mold surface, the mold core wall comprising welded-together steel wire.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.

A mold core (and method for making same), for a concrete product mold comprising a mold core wall shaped to extend from a mold surface into an interior of the mold, preventing concrete from filling an area of the mold interior when the mold core is installed on the mold surface, the mold core wall comprising welded-together steel wire.

A mold core (and method for making same), for a concrete product mold comprising a mold core wall shaped to extend from a mold surface into an interior of the mold, preventing concrete from filling an area of the mold interior when the mold core is installed on the mold surface, the mold core wall comprising welded-together steel wire.

A tooling assembly for use in forming z-channels in a fibrous ceramic preform includes a mandrel having a first plurality of holes extending into a mandrel body, a first subset of the plurality of holes being through-holes extending completely through the mandrel, and a second subset of the holes comprising blind pockets, and a plurality of channels extending longitudinally along the mandrel in a direction orthogonal to the first plurality of holes. The tooling assembly further includes an outer fixture at least partially enclosing the mandrel, the outer fixture including at least one piece comprising a second plurality of holes extending completely through the at least one piece, the second plurality of holes being aligned with respective corresponding ones of the first plurality of holes such that a needle can be inserted through each of the second plurality of holes in the at least one piece and into the respective ones of the first plurality of holes in the mandrel.

A tooling assembly for use in forming z-channels in a fibrous ceramic preform includes a mandrel having a first plurality of holes extending into a mandrel body, a first subset of the plurality of holes being through-holes extending completely through the mandrel, and a second subset of the holes comprising blind pockets, and a plurality of channels extending longitudinally along the mandrel in a direction orthogonal to the first plurality of holes. The tooling assembly further includes an outer fixture at least partially enclosing the mandrel, the outer fixture including at least one piece comprising a second plurality of holes extending completely through the at least one piece, the second plurality of holes being aligned with respective corresponding ones of the first plurality of holes such that a needle can be inserted through each of the second plurality of holes in the at least one piece and into the respective ones of the first plurality of holes in the mandrel.