Inorganic Fibers Technology

Mai, Y.W. (1994). Advances in Inorganic Fiber Technology, Guest Editor, Special Issue, Composites Sci. Techno . 51, 123-125. 

I would like to give an overview of inorganic fibers technology, then discuss the developments and keys structural feat ires of alumina and alumina/silica fibers and new products based on inorganic fibers. The development of inorganic fiber reinforced materials requires a systems approach to tailor the fiber structure to be compatible with the matrix and assure component fabricability and performance. 

Techniques for fabricating low-cost optical components such as graded index lenses, microlenses, couplers, splitters, and polarizers are needed to support optical fiber technology. Traditionally, amorphous inorganic materials have been nsed, bnt there are tremendons... 

The objective of this chapter is to review the advance in these fibers and refer to the prospect for the future technology of inorganic fibers. 

The entire spectrum of inorganic fibers can be divided into two classes, based on differences in the crystallinity of the solids (Ray, 1978). Synthetic fibers have been known as man-made mineral fibers (MMMF) and manmade vitreous fibers (MMVF). But fibrous materials can be approached or divided in other ways. For example, in the Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (1985) the entry for chemical fibers includes both manmade and natural polymers, with the discussion centering on carbon-based compounds such as acetates, acrylics, and cellulose. Fibers of other inorganic compounds were not mentioned in the encyclopedia under this entry, but silica glass fibers were described under the heading Optical Fibers. ... 

The recorded history of short fiber technology starts over two thousand years ago with asbestos fibers and reaches into the future with silicon nano-whiskers and carbon nanotubes. Asbestos is derived from the solid phase, but today, the most important short inorganic fibers are derived from the vapor phase. 

Three major breakthroughs in process technology have recently been made. These processes facilitate the growth from a liquid phase. They inciude the formation of (1) InP, InAs and GaAs whiskers [18] from other organic soivents by a soiution-iiquid-soiid phase transformation, (2) short carbon fibers from liquid pitch melts by centrifuging [19], and (3) silver nanowires by a novel self-assembly process [71]. Micro- and nanopillars (or micro-and nanocolumns) are a new class of short inorganic fibers. They are... 

Figure Metal particle catalyzed and laser assisted chemical vapor deposition. Left Chemical vapor deposition causes the formation of a film or coating on a hot surface. Center and right Metal catalyzed and laser assisted chemical vapor deposition causes the formation of a potentially continuous fiber with a diameter corresponding to the hot metal catalyst particle or laser focus respectively. Redrawn from F. T. Wallenberger, P. C. Nordine and M. Boman, Inorganic fibers and microstructures directly from the vapor phase, Composites Science Technology, 5,193-222 (1994).

F. T. Wallenberger, P. C. Nordine and M. Boman, Inorganic fibers and miaiostructures directly from the vapor phase. Composites Science and Technology, 5,193-222 (1994). 

F. T. Wallenberger and P. C. Nordine, Inorganic fibers and microstructures by laser assisted chemical vapor deposition, Materials Technology, 8 [9/10], 198-292 (1993). 

Advanced inorganic fibers processes-structures-properties-applications/ contributors, Frederick T.Wallenberger... [et al.] editor, Frederick T. Wallenberger. p. cm. — (Materials technology series)... 

An important milestone in inorganic fiber reinforced metal matrix composite technology was reached recently when Toyota Motor Corporation announced the commercial production and use of the world s first metal matrix composite piston insert for the Toyota 2L Turbo Diesel Engine Car (I7,l8) (Figure 26). The diesel piston insert made from commercial short alumina-siliea fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composite significantly improves wear, heat resistance and... 

PhenoHc-based resins have almost disappeared. A few other resin types are available commercially but have not made a significant impact. Inorganic materials retain importance in a number of areas where synthetic organic ion-exchange resins are not normally used. Only the latter are discussed here. This article places emphasis on the styrenic and acryHc resins that are made as small beads. Other forms of synthetic ion-exchange materials such as membranes, papers, fibers (qv), foams (qv), and Hquid extractants are not included (see Extraction, liquid-liquid Membrane technology Paper.). 

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