A method of treating at least one silicon carbide fibre, the method including a) formation of a silica layer at the surface of a silicon carbide fibre having an oxygen content less than or equal to 1% in atomic percentage, the silica layer being formed by contacting this fibre with an oxidizing medium having a temperature greater than or equal to 50° C. and pressure greater than or equal to 1 MPa, and b) removal of the silica layer formed by hydrothermal treatment of the fibre obtained after implementation of step a) in which the fibre is treated with water at a pressure between saturating vapour pressure and 30 MPa and at a temperature less than or equal to 400° C.

An article includes a ceramic-based substrate and a barrier layer on the ceramic-based substrate. The barrier layer includes a matrix phase and a network of gettering particles in the matrix phase. The gettering particles have an average maximum dimension between about 30 and 70 microns. The gettering particles have maximum dimensions that range from about 1 to 100 microns, and a dispersion of barium-magnesium alumino-silicate particles in the matrix phase. A composite material and a method of applying a barrier layer to a substrate are also disclosed.

An article includes a ceramic-based substrate and a barrier layer on the ceramic-based substrate. The barrier layer includes a matrix phase and a network of gettering particles in the matrix phase. The gettering particles have an average maximum dimension between about 30 and 70 microns. The gettering particles have maximum dimensions that range from about 1 to 100 microns, and a dispersion of barium-magnesium alumino-silicate particles in the matrix phase. A composite material and a method of applying a barrier layer to a substrate are also disclosed.

Composite materials and methods of manufacturing composite materials, such as for use in aerospace parts, are described herein. A representative method for manufacturing a coated composite material structure includes applying a plurality of material layers to a preform structure. The plurality of material layers can include at least one first material layer (including a first matrix precursor), and at least one second material layer (including a second matrix precursor and a coating precursor). The method can also include infusing the preform structure with the first and second matrix precursors and the coating precursor from the plurality of material layers. The method can further include heating the infused preform structure to concurrently form a composite material structure and a coating on at least a portion of the composite material structure.

Composite materials and methods of manufacturing composite materials, such as for use in aerospace parts, are described herein. A representative method for manufacturing a coated composite material structure includes applying a plurality of material layers to a preform structure. The plurality of material layers can include at least one first material layer (including a first matrix precursor), and at least one second material layer (including a second matrix precursor and a coating precursor). The method can also include infusing the preform structure with the first and second matrix precursors and the coating precursor from the plurality of material layers. The method can further include heating the infused preform structure to concurrently form a composite material structure and a coating on at least a portion of the composite material structure.

Compositions comprising preceramic resins and fumed alumina are described. The compositions can also include fillers, such as silicon carbide whiskers or zirconium diboride particles. The compositions can be used as three-dimensional printable inks for preparing ceramic composites, e.g., composites having complex geometry. Inclusion of fumed alumina as a rheology modifier in the composition can provide improved printing properties for the inks compared to preceramic resin inks that do not include fumed alumina.

Compositions comprising preceramic resins and fumed alumina are described. The compositions can also include fillers, such as silicon carbide whiskers or zirconium diboride particles. The compositions can be used as three-dimensional printable inks for preparing ceramic composites, e.g., composites having complex geometry. Inclusion of fumed alumina as a rheology modifier in the composition can provide improved printing properties for the inks compared to preceramic resin inks that do not include fumed alumina.

A concrete reinforcing member for admixture into a concrete composite. The concrete reinforcing member has a body extending in a longitudinal direction along an axis, the body having a lateral width. At least two anchor segments are axially spaced on the body, each anchor segment having at least one lateral extension projecting in a lateral direction along an associated plane that extends radially relative to the axis of the body. The associated plane of the lateral extension of one of the anchor segments is offset radially about the axis at an angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° relative to the associated plane of the lateral extension of the other anchor segment.

A concrete reinforcing member for admixture into a concrete composite. The concrete reinforcing member has a body extending in a longitudinal direction along an axis, the body having a lateral width. At least two anchor segments are axially spaced on the body, each anchor segment having at least one lateral extension projecting in a lateral direction along an associated plane that extends radially relative to the axis of the body. The associated plane of the lateral extension of one of the anchor segments is offset radially about the axis at an angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° relative to the associated plane of the lateral extension of the other anchor segment.

The main weaknesses of masonry buildings, especially those made of clay, against earthquakes are: high weight, which increases the earthquake force that is proportional to the weight; low resistance that causes an early crushing of walls and ceilings; lack of ductility, which causes the masonry buildings to collapse immediately after cracking. These weaknesses have been the main causes of collapse of masonry buildings in past earthquakes in various parts of the world. Also, many of the restoration works, done on the historical monuments that were made by the mentioned materials, showed their inadequacy in some recent earthquakes This invention improves clay, as an eco-friendly, low-cost material with high workability, to present a better seismic behavior, by decreasing its specific weight to less than tones/m.sup.3 and increasing its tensile resistance up to five times of the ordinary clay, and giving better insulation capabilities against heat, sound and moisture to it.