Rolls-royce Corporation

Stephen Mason

Paul A Doleman

Gary B Merrill

Michael J Percival

An abradable seal comprises a plurality of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in a matrix of aluminium phosphate. The matrix of aluminium phosphate also has an aluminosilicate filler. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres have a diameter in the range of 400 to 1800 microns, preferably a diameter in the range of 800 to 1400 microns. The weight proportion of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the abradable seal is 30% to 50%. The density of the abradable seal is 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the aluminium phosphate matrix have a relatively high temperature capability of approximately 1300.degree. C. maximum. This makes the abradable seal better able to withstand the environment in the turbine of a turbofan gas turbine engine.

Abradable composition, a method of manufacturing an abradable

An abradable seal comprises a plurality of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in a matrix of aluminium phosphate. The matrix of aluminium phosphate also has an aluminosilicate filler. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres have a diameter in the range of 400 to 1800 microns, preferably a diameter in the range of 800 to 1400 microns. The weight proportion of hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the abradable seal is 30% to 50%. The density of the abradable seal is 1.5 grammes per cubic centimetre. The hollow aluminosilicate spheres in the aluminium phosphate matrix have a relatively high temperature capability of approximately 1300.degree. C. maximum. This makes the abradable seal better able to withstand the environment in the turbine of a turbofan gas turbine engine.

Carbon coated carbide fibers are arranged in a predetermined pattern and shape around a silicon carbide coated graphite insert. Silicon carbide is infiltrated into the silicon carbide fibers to produce a SiC/SiC composite component. The SiC/SiC composite component is coated with glass and is then heated in air to burn out the graphite insert to form a hollow glass coated SiC/SiC composite component. The method is suitable for producing hollow SiC/SiC composite turbine blades or vanes.

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Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Stephen Mason