Modeling of chemical vapor infiltration processes

Chemical vapor infiltration has been almost exclusively developed for the preparation of matrices in fiber-reinforced CMCs and C/C composites. Modeling of this process is fundamental to its control and optimization. This chapter provides a review of numerous works developed during 40 years, ranging from simple analytical estimates to multiscale, multiphysics detailed numerical modeling. The cases of pyrolytic carbon and of SiC matrix isothermal, isobaric infiltrations are treated in detail; then, variations of the CVI process featuring temperature and/or pressure gradients, as well as parameter pulsing, are addressed.