FURI | Spring 2022

3D Printing of Bioinspired Damage-Tolerant Ceramic Matrix Composite

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are known for their durability, stiffness, and high-temperature tolerance whereas the problem with these CMCs includes the lack of mechanical flexibility and ability to withstand superior fatigue. As seen in nature, the acorn weevil rostrum displays such properties of flexibility and toughness that prevent high structural damage. In this proposed research, rostrum-inspired CMCs are fabricated via magnetic field-assisted nanocomposite printing for enhanced mechanical properties. Nickel nanowires in liquid polymer resin are firstly placed under a magnetic field to form bioinspired rostrum 3D architectures. The silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix composite is formed through pyrolysis and sintering processes. Mechanical properties of such rostrum-inspired CMCs are studied for various applications.