Patent ID: 6363902
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a stem and a head portions of a fracture-resistant, thermally stable valve from fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material for an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:(a) placing a mixture comprising pre-ceramic resin and fibers into a female die of a mold; (b) pressing a male die of the mold onto the female die so as to mold the valve in the cavity formed between the female and male dies, said cavity having a shape corresponding that of the valve; (c) heating the mold at a temperature and for a time associated with the pre-ceramic resin which polymerizes the resin to form a fiber-reinforced polymer composite valve; (d) removing the polymerized composite valve from the mold; (e) firing the polymerized composite valve at a temperature and for a time associated with the polymerized resin which pyrolizes.