Competing Inorganic Fibers

In the competing world of today, where performance and economics are the keys to success, it is necessary to compare carbon fibers with other inorganic-fiber contenders in order to obtain the proper perspective. 

These competitors are produced from glass, ceramic oxides, silicon carbide, and boron. Table 8.3 compares their main characteristics and lists typical applications. 

Glass High strength Low modulus Low temperature Low cost Insulation Reinforced pleistics 

Oxides Medium strength Good oxidation resistance High cost Ceramic composites High-temp, insulation Filtration 

Silicon carbide High strength High modulus. High cost High-temp, composites 

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Competing Inorganic Fibers. The competitors to carbide and nitride fibers are glass, ceramic oxides, carbon, and boron. Table 14.7 summarizes their processing, characteristics, and typical applications. ... 

In dyeing, addition of salt has a retarding and leveling effect. Higher concentrations of sulfate ions are assumed to compete with dye anions for ammonium groups of the fibers, and inorganic salts exert an aggregating effect on dye molecules. 

A firm is evaluating two competing projects. The first is a new ( grass roots ) inorganic chemicals plant, while the second is the expansion of a textile fibers facility. The process engineers have estimated the projected annual revenue, total capital investment, and total annual cost (without capital recovery) for each project, as follows ... 

In order for organic fillers to compete with inorganic fillers special care must be taken to select organic fillers that are compatible with a particular resin system. Shell flour fillers have been shown to improve certain desirable properties without significant reductions in critical composite characteristics in a number of thermoplastics. Thermomechanical fiber... 

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