Loading device for densification via chemical infiltration in steam phase in directed flow of three-dimensional porous substrates

Abstract

Loading device (10) for densification via chemical infiltration in steam phase in directed flow, in a reaction chamber of an infiltration oven, of three-dimensional porous substrates (20) extending primarily in a longitudinal direction, said device comprising an annular loading level (11) formed by first and second annular vertical units (110, 111) distributed concentrically in relation to one another and delimiting between one another annular loading area (13) for the porous substrates to be densified. First and second plates (112, 113) respectively cover the lower element and the upper element of the annular loading area (13). The first and second annular vertical units (110, 111) each comprise supporting members (1100, 1110) distributed in the annular loading area (13) in such a manner as to define between them unit loading cells (14), each unit loading cell being intended for receiving a substrate to be densified. The device additionally comprises gas supply orifices (1102) and gas evacuation orifices (1112) in the vicinity of each unit loading cell (14).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to chemical vapor infiltration techniques used particularly when producing components from thermal structural composite materials. The invention more particularly relates to the densification of porous substrates of complex three-dimensional shape, such as fibrous preforms used in the manufacture of aeroengine blades, by depositing a matrix in said substrates to thereby densify said substrates. Background technique [0002] For the manufacture of components from composite materials, in particular from thermal structural composite materials consisting of refractory fiber preforms (e.g. Constructed using carbon fibers or ceramic fibers), common practice is to use chemical vapor infiltration methods. Examples of such components are propeller nozzles made of carbon-carbon (C-C) composites, brake discs made of C-C composites, especially for aircraft actuators, or ceramic matrix Blades made of composite material (CMC). [000...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] However, the loader tool remains limited to directional flow densification of thin and simple shaped substrates (e.g. thin rectangular plates) and cannot obtain complex three-dimensionally shaped substrates (e.g. fiber preforms for blades) uniform densification of

Air flow is more difficult to control over substrates with complex three-dimensional shapes

Lack of control over the flow of reagent gases over the set of substrates to be densified leads to the appearance of densification gradients in the substrate

However, it is the inhomogeneity in which the substrate is densified that destroys the mechanical properties of the resulting part

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