THE POLYMER INFILTRATION & PYROLYSIS (PIP) PROCESS
Key
Starfire Matrix Forming Polymer
Pyrolyzed Matrix Polymer
Carbon or other Fiber
Starfire Infiltration Polymer
Ceramic Filler
Pyrolyzed Infiltration Polymer
- Starfire® polymers can be formed into composite parts using traditional polymer forming processes to produce a thermoset part.
- Part is pyrolyzed to yield a porous green body (2) which is densified using polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP).
- Open porosity of the part is filled with Starfire Systems polymer using vacuum infiltration.
- Part is pyrolyzed in an inert environment where the polymer decomposes to a ceramic, shrinking in volume and increasing in density, such that open porosity is again created.
- Part is again infiltrated.
- Part is again pyrolyzed.
- The infiltration and pyrolysis process is repeated several times (5 and 6), until a part of the desired density is obtained. A typical number of PIP cycles is between 6 and 10, depending on final application and desired properties.