Development of SiC monofilament reactor for increased efficiency and capacity

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TISICS manufactures continuous silicon carbide monofilament (as oppose to tows) reinforced metal matrix composite; titanium or aluminium alloys. These materials have excellent specific strength and stiffness, therefore offer a light weight alternative to steel for space, aerospace and other mass sensitive applications. Additionally, its metal matrix means that it is a good alternative to polymer composite in compressive and high temperature applications. As part of a UK collaborative project supported by Innovate UK, TISICS have developed and now produce a higher performance silicon carbide monofilament for the reinforcement of metal matrix composites and one which has the potential to be manufactured at much lower cost than the only competitive (US) monofilament. However TISICS pilot facility is based on 25 year old designs and hardware originally established for R&D. This proposal aims to develop production process designs and procedures for monofilament that are production ready. It will build of recent developments in digital automation to address the inefficiencies resulting from the outdated hardware design to significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of the monofilament production. The benefits of the project outputs i.e. reduced build time and failures, extended batch duration and therefore increased cost effectiveness will be an enable for material qualification and uptake within the space and aerospace sectors. This will allow TISICS to compete on the world stage by becoming the only large-scale supplier of this class of material outside the US.