Ceramic Fibers

Introduction
 The definition of ceramic is often restricted to inorganic non-metallic
polycrystalline solids, as opposed to the noncrystalline glasses.
 The distinction between ceramic and glass has become difficult now,
because ceramics produced from new precursors or sol – gel routes
can be amorphous.
Ceramic Fibers
Introduction
 Ceramic materials are hard, have low densities (compared to metals),
high compressive strength and very good thermal resistance and
strength at higher temperature.
 Due to their notable high temperature performance, these are useful
as reinforcement in metal and ceramic matrix composites, where the
structures are required to operate at high temperature
 The ceramic fibers can be produced by either a direct or indirect
process.
Ceramic Fibers
Production of Ceramic Fibers
Direct process
The spinning dopes used in the direct
process can be based on:
Molecularly dispersed precursors
Colloidally dispersed precursors
Inorganic polymers
Coarse ceramic particles

Sintering
Ceramic Fibers
Production of Ceramic Fibers
Indirect method
 In the indirect process, ceramic fibers are not obtained by spinning
process, but by using some other approach. The process involves
two steps
 Step 1: Organic substrate/template fibers are soaked with the precursor
material or precursor material is deposited on the surface.
 Step 2: The inorganic fibre is then formed by pyrolysis of the organic
template fibre.
Ceramic Fibers
Classification of Ceramic Fibers
 Chemically these fibers have different compositions and thus these
fibers can be broadly divided into following two categories:

 Oxide fibres : Silica fibres, alumina fibres, alumina-silica fibres, alumina
zirconia fibres

 Non oxide fibres: Silicon carbide(SiC),silicon carbon nitride, silicon
nitride(SiN)
Ceramic Fibers
Oxide Based Fibers
 Oxide ceramic fibers made from oxides with high melting point are
suitable for applications where exposure to oxidizing atmosphere and
high temperatures (above 1400 °C) are required.
 Currently available fibers are mostly based on Al2O3– or Al2O3 /SiO2
ceramics.
 They possess high tensile strength and modulus, and are stable against
oxidation at high temperatures due to their oxidic nature.
Ceramic Fibers
Oxide Based Fibers
Alumina-based Fibers
 Alumina fiber is used in various applications which include high temperature
insulating material in the form of mats, blankets and boards, fire protection
 Alumina fiber is made by extruding aqueous solution of aluminium salts such
as aluminium oxychloride (Al2(OH)5Cl) blended with rheological aids.

Addition of
polymers to
increase viscosity
Ceramic Fibers
Oxide Based Fibers
Alumina-based Fibers

Properties
Young's
Composition Diameter Density Strength Strain to Modulus(GPa)
Fibre type Manufacturer
(wt%) (m) (g/cm3) (GPa) failure(%
)
α-Al2O2 fibres Du Pont 99.9% Al2O3 20 3.92 1.2 0.29 414

Aluminia silica 85% Al2O3

3M 12 3.4 2.1 0.81 260
fibres
15%SiO2
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Non-Oxide Ceramic Fibers
 Non - oxide ceramic fibers are based on SiC and Si-C-(N)–O materials
 Fibers exhibit high values for tensile strength and modulus higher than
oxide fibers and due to their structure, which is amorphous in many
cases.
 They have lower creep rates at high temperatures when compared
to the polycrystalline oxide fibers.
 Disadvantages of these fibers are their susceptibility to oxidation,
which leads to fiber degradation in an oxidizing atmosphere over time.
Ceramic Fibers
Non-Oxide Ceramic Fibers
Spinning and heat treatment
 By Melt spinning
 Organosilicon polymers such as polydimethyl silane are used
 The meltspun filament is heated in the air to 190 °C to crosslink the
polydimethyl silane molecules by oxygen
 Then heat treated at 800-1500 °C in nitrogen or vacuum to form
crystalline structure.
 The conversion to ceramic fibers occurs by pyrolysis above 1200 °C

 Chemical vapor deposition

By Both tungsten and carbon cores are used as templates for making silicon
 carbide fibres by CVD route.
 Various carbon-containing silanes have been used as reactants.
 In a typical process, with CH3SiCl3 as the reactant, SiC is deposited on the
core as follows:
Ceramic Fibers
 Mechanical Properties:

 Hard
 High Compressive Strength
 Brittle
 Good Dimensional Stability
 Low Density
 Low Tensile Strength

 Electrical Properties:

 Very good electrical resistance

 Good insulator
Ceramic Fibers
 Magnetic Properties:

 Non-magnetic

 Chemical Properties:

 Low Weight
 Good chemical resistance
 Unreactive

 Heat Properties:

 High temperature stability

 Low heat storage
 High melting points
 Incombustible
Ceramic Fibers
 Application of Ceramic Fibers:

 Glass Ceramic Applications

 Traditional Ceramic Applications
 Advanced Ceramic Applications
Ceramic Fibers
 Glass Ceramic Applications:

 Armoured security glass

Due to high flexibility and compressive
strength

 Container glass (Bottles)

Due to high compressive strength and heat
resistance
Ceramic Fibers
 Glass Ceramic Applications:

 Dinnerware
Due to thermal stability and good
dimensional stability

 Buildings
Due to hardness and compressive strength
Ceramic Fibers
 Traditional Ceramic Applications:

 Bricks
Extreme hardness and crystal structure

 Cements (Concrete roads and bridges)

Due to high porosity, strength and stress
Ceramic Fibers
 Traditional Ceramic Applications:

 Sanitary Wear
 Decorative Ceramics
 Floor and Wall Tiles

Due to its high porosity, compressive

strength and hardness
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Engine Component
In engines, heat resistance ceramics are
used to increase efficiency, decrease noise
and minimize wear
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Ceramic Brake Disc

Due to high temperature resistance

 Mechanical Engineering
(Cutting tools & Pumps)
Due to high wear resistance, temperature
resistance and a high level of corrosion
resistance make tools safe
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Electronics
(Capacitors & Insulators)
Ceramics heat sinks provide the right
climate for high power electronics

 Medical Technology
(Artificial bone & teeth)
Biocompatible and wear resistance
advanced ceramics enables doctor to
provide patients with optimum care
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Energy and Environment

 Enable safe and low wear process
control
 Ensure emissions and efficient uses of
resources in many areas

 Aerospace Technology
(Rocket nozzles, space shuttles)
 Shield missile internal from heat
 Withstands and focuses the exhaust of
the rocket booster
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Textiles
 Fiber paper
Due to its high temperature resistant
Used in boiler and Nuclear reactor

 Blankets
Due to high temperature resistance,
lightweight used in insulation for power
plant, turbine, thermal reactor and
generator
Ceramic Fibers
 Advanced Ceramic Applications:

 Insulating lagging tapes

Due to chemical resistance, low thermal
conductivity and lightweight used in
safety, protective insulation covers, strip
curtains and door seals

 Bullet Proof Jackets

Due to high compressive strength used in
bullet proof jackets for protection