Research Projects

One of the most promising and common methods of fabrication of thinner Carbon-Carbon and Carbon-Silicon Carbide Composites is through vapor phase densification of porous structure of carbon fibers acting as reinforcement. During CVI process, the hydrocarbon gases or vapors of silanes decomposes to produce the desired carbon /Silicon carbide matrix within the pores of the preform and thereby increases the density. The density aimed after the final densification is based on the targeted mechanical and thermal properties required for the specific use of application of the product. Practically, the major hindrance of realisation of C-C/ C-SiC products through CVI process is the long processing duration required to achieve the desired density. Furthermore the process must be intermediately interrupted to permit surface machining or heat treatment at high temperature in order to open the pores for further densification. Scope of work includes development of a comprehensive numerical modelling to simulate and optimise the processing parameters to achieve the required density and also to reduce the long process duration.