Titanium Matrix Composite Processing. Tapecast Preforms.
Abstract
Titanium matrix composites (TMC's) would enable significant advances in commercial and military aviation product design, yet at the present there has been little implementation into promising engine applications. In general, economical processing technologies and reinforcing fibers are not yet available. This report focuses on evaluating the economic potential of one promising technology to produce TMC preforms. This process, known as tapecasting, has been developed at Textron Specially Materials (Lowell, MA). The endproduct of this process is a long, thin tape of titanium metal and silicon carbide fibers which is further processed to produce bar stock TMC product. This analysis identifies the conditions under which this process becomes economically feasible on a commercial scale, and evaluates specific options for potential cost reduction. The conclusions drawn from this indicate the dominance of fiber price on total cost, which is independent of the manufacturing process. Process variables such as wind speed, yield, scrap, and labor rate all have a marginal effect on total cost, leaving low potential for cost reduction in these areas. The analysis demonstrates that a commercially viable TMC tape preform can be realized as long as the fiber cost drops accordingly. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300004
Entities
People
- John V. Busch