Hybrid component comprising a metal-reinforced ceramic matrix composite material

Abstract

A hybrid metal-reinforced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material component is provided having a body including a ceramic matrix composite material and a metal skeleton structure encompassing at least a portion of the body. A retaining structure carried by the metal skeleton structure is further included to induce a compressive force on the body to limit movement of the body and the metal skeleton structure relative to one another and enable the metal skeleton structure to carry a greater amount of an external load than the body.

1 . A hybrid component comprising:
 a body comprising a ceramic matrix composite material;   a metal skeleton structure encompassing at least a portion of the body and extending between a base and a top of the body; and   a retaining structure carried by the metal skeleton structure effective to induce a compressive force on the body to limit movement of the body and the metal skeleton structure relative to one another and allow the metal skeleton structure to carry a greater amount of an external load than the body.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises an alloy material. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the alloy material has a melting point of from 450-600° C. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises a mating structure such that the component can be connected to another structure. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 4 , wherein the mating structure comprises a circumferential flange or tabs for attachment of the component to another structure. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises a plurality of ribs extending radially from a base portion thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 6 , wherein one of the body and the ribs comprises a plurality of channels configured to receive a portion of the other of the body and the ribs therein. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 7 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of channels, and wherein the ribs are configured for slidable insertion into the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure comprises a retaining ring disposed about the metal skeleton structure and a plurality of fasteners configured to cause the retaining ring to induce a compressive force on the body upon tightening of the fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of stacked laminate plates, each plate comprising the ceramic matrix composite material. 
     
     
         11 . A method for forming a hybrid component comprising:
 mating a body comprising a ceramic matrix composite material with a metal skeleton structure such that the metal skeleton structure encompasses at least a portion of the body and extends between a base and a top of the body; and   supplying a compressive force on the body via a retaining structure carried by the metal skeleton structure which limits movement of the body and the metal skeleton structure relative to one another and allows the metal skeleton structure to carry a greater amount of an external load than the body.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the supplying is done by:
 disposing a retaining ring about the metal skeleton structure; and   tightening a plurality of fasteners on the retaining ring to induce a compressive force on the body.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises a plurality of ribs, and wherein on of the body and the ribs comprises a plurality of channels configured to receive a portion of the other of the body and the ribs therein. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of channels, and wherein the method further comprises slidably inserting the ribs into the channels of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises an alloy material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the alloy material has a melting point of from 450-600° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metal skeleton structure comprises a mating structure such that the component can be connected to another structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mating structure comprises a circumferential flange for attachment of the component to another structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of stacked laminate plates, each plate comprising the ceramic matrix composite material.