Patent ID: 6979490

Claim:
A fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite material having enhanced matrix cracking strength, comprising: a fibrous preform of refractory fibers; a fiber coating material which fully encapsulates the refractory fibers of said fibrous perform; and a high-strength, nanolayered ceramic matrix which fully encapsulates and consolidates the refractory fibers of said fibrous preform into a densified composite, said nanolayered ceramic matrix having a microstructure comprising a plurality of primary phase layers being formed from a first material and having a thickness of between 5 and 500 nm, and a plurality of secondary phase layers being formed from a second material and having a thickness of between 1 and 100 nm, wherein said plurality of secondary phase layers are interposed between said plurality of primary phase layers, such that the tensile matrix cracking strength of said ceramic matrix composite material is greater than 100 Mpa, said fiber coating material debonding said nanolayered ceramic matrix from the refractory fibers of said fibrous perform.