Patent ID: 7972430

Claim:
A method for fabricating an improved ceramic composite stiffener including a web portion, at least one flange portion, a radius region disposed between the web portion and the at least one flange portion, a skin member that is secured to the at least one flange portion and the radius region, the steps comprising: preparing a pliable, shaped, freestanding composition consisting essentially of ceramic particles, plasticizers, and silica-yielding liquids, and sufficient solvent for mixing of the components to form the pliable, shaped composition; assembling the at least one flange portion to define a groove having a radius region; applying the pliable, shaped composition along the radius region; assembling the skin member to the at least one flange portion to form the stiffener; drying the pliable, shaped, freestanding composition; autoclaving the stiffener; and sintering the stiffener; wherein the ceramic particles comprise ceramic particles having a particle size range from −20 mesh to +50 mesh.