Metal steel Fibers

The actual experimental moduli of the polymer materials are usually about only % of their theoretical values [1], while the calculated theoretical moduli of many polymer materials are comparable to that of metal or fiber reinforced composites, for instance, the crystalline polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl alcohol have their calculated Young s moduli in the range of 200-300 GPa, surpassing the normal steel modulus of 200 GPa. This has been attributed to the limitations of the folded-chain structures, the disordered alignment of molecular chains, and other defects existing in crystalline polymers under normal processing conditions. 

Finally, metallic fibers find some limited applications as reinforcement in composites. They are generally not desirable due to their inherently high densities and because they present difficulties in coupling to the matrix. Nonetheless, tungsten fibers are used in metal-matrix composites, as are steel fibers in cement composites. There is increasing interest in shape memory alloy filaments, such as Ti-Ni (Nitanol) for use in piezoelectric composites. We will discuss shape-memory alloys and nonstructural composites in later chapters of the text. 

Inorganics Oxides (glass, MgO, Si02, A1203) Hydroxides (Al(OH)3) Salts (CaC03, BaS04, CaS04, phosphates) Silicates (talc, mica, kaolin, woolastonite) Metals (boron, steel fibers)... 

Ho et al. used a packed-bed reactor and a series of 316 stainless steel fiber an-ode/cathode pairs to decompose cyanide-containing effluent [41]. The cyanide destruction process was enhanced by the presence of metal ions, which led the authors to treat a copper cyanide effluent. The cyanide concentration was decreased from an initial concentration of 1400ppm to less than 20 ppm within a 4-20 h time period at an energy consumption of 5 -13 kW h/kg CN. At a CN/Cu ratio of 4.6 most of the copper was deposited on the cathode while some was converted to the divalent form and deposited on the anode surface as an oxide. 

An important application field for stainless steel fibers is the textile sector, in which 0., i to 6% of these fibers are incorporated to endow carpets, protective clothing etc. with an antistatic finish. A further application is protection against electromagnetic pulses, interference and charging. Tungsten fibers with a diameter of 12 pm are used for boron or SiC deposition and as light bulb filaments. Furthermore, metal fibers are used in the filtration of polymer melts and corrosive liquids, as well as for electrodes with high surface areas. 

Beki-Shield - steel fibers for EMI protection of plastics Bekitex - metal-containing yams for conductive textiles Composite Material L.L.C., Mamaroneck, NY, USA... 

Typical fillers glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid, antimony trioxide, zinc borate, stainless steel fiber, graphite, nickel coated graphite, aluminum flakes, metallized glass... 

Typical fillers calcium carbonate, talc, glass fiber, glass beads, glass flakes, silica flour, wollastonite, mica, sepiolite, magnesium hydroxide, carbon black, clay, metal powders (aluminum, iron, nickel), steel fiber, si-licium carbide, phenolic microspheres, wood fiber and flour, antimony trioxide, hydrotalcite, zinc borate, bismuth carbonate, red phosphorus, potassium-magnesium aluminosilicate, fly ash, hydromagnesite-huntite... 

Figures 19.9 and 19.10 show two unusual applications of fillers in coatings. Figure 19.9 shows a schematic diagram of the surface of metal (e.g., a pan) on which white-hot particles of stainless steel fibers are sprayed to prepare the surface for a nonstick coating. In the past, these coatings were known to have a limited durability. Durability could be increased by a change to the surface through welding the fibers to the surface.

Calcium aluminate cements are examples of conventional refractory castables. Development of low, ultralow cement, no-cement pumpables, and self-flow castables has increased the applications of monolithics [42], Steel-reinforced refractories (SFRR) are used in applications that include ferrous and nonferrous metal production and processing, petroleum refining, cement rotary kilns, boilers, and incinerators. Steel fibers are added to refractory concretes to improve resistance to cracking and spalling in applications of heavy thermal cycling and thermal shock loads. 

Many recyclable materials consist of mixed materials that pose special problems. Discarded automobile oil filters contain steel, fiber, and contaminated petroleum. Oil filters are crushed and heated to remove oil, and the metal reclaimed. Discarded household appliances contain large amoxmts of steel but must often be dismantled, with other materials removed. A special fee is charged at recycling centers to discard most appliances. Fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury that can be reclaimed. Used computers and television sets contain usable materials and, often, some toxic materials that can be collected for safe disposal. 

The electrically conductive polymers have their greatest use in EMI-shielded casings and protective housings of electronic and telecommunications equipment, where they have rapidly substituted metal because of their low weight and easy workability. Steel fiber is mostly used in filled conductive polymers intended for EMI-shielding applications, which will be discussed below. 

There are a range of conductive polymers on the market that are based on metal fillers such as aluminum flake, brass fibers, stainless steel fibers, graphite-coated fibers, and metal-coated graphite fibers. However, the most cost effective conductive filler is carbon black. Mention should also be made of... 

Another factor that influences the value of pc is the aspect ratios of the metallic filler. Metal fibres, metal-plated glass fibers, and metal flakes can significantly lower the concentration required to achieve isotropic conduction as compared to spherical powders [3]. Values of pc as low as 1 vol % have been reported with stainless steel fibers having an aspect ratio of 750 [37]. 

Other fibers may be used in POs, though some of these may be chosen more for their special properties. Basalt mineral fibers or Kevlar can provide extreme reinforcement for ballistics applications other fibers include metal fibers for electromagnetic shielding purposes (discussed in Chapter 6). However, as in the case of stainless steel fibers, just because an additive is in fiber form does not necessarily mean it provides meaningful mechanical property reinforcement, but it may provide the opposite of what is wanted [6-4, 7-57]. 

---