Patent ID: 7708851

Claim:
A method of producing a ceramic matrix composite article, the method comprising the steps of: forming a preform by laying-up a plurality of prepreg tapes each comprising a silicon carbide-containing continuous fiber reinforcement material in a matrix material containing a precursor of a ceramic matrix material, a fraction of the reinforcement material being at a surface of the preform; forming on the surface of the preform a surface layer comprising a slurry containing a carbon-containing particulate material, the surface layer defining an outermost surface of the preform and lacking the reinforcement material of the preform; and then melt infiltrating the preform with molten silicon and heating the preform and the surface layer thereon to form the ceramic matrix composite article comprising a ceramic protective layer on a ceramic matrix composite substrate by converting the precursor and the molten silicon within the preform to form the ceramic matrix material in which the reinforcement material is contained so as to yield the ceramic matrix composite substrate and by converting the surface layer to form the outermost ceramic protective layer that covers the fraction of the reinforcement material that was at the surface of the preform, the outermost ceramic protective layer being predominantly a ceramic material that has the same chemical composition as the ceramic matrix material of the ceramic matrix composite substrate.