Whisker materials, inorganic

Zhiliang Jin, Zhihong Zhang, Wu Li. Progress of inorganic whisker materials research. Sea-Lake Salt and Chemical Industry, 31(5) 4-13, 2002. 

Dong Jin. Preparation methods and application progress of inorganic whisker materials. Fine Chemical Industrial Raw Materials and Intermediates, (10) 23-27, 2010. 

This brief summary of the composition and structural characteristics of glass fibers, whiskers, and carbon and graphite fibers illustrates the ranges of synthetic inorganic fibrous materials. The purposes of the construction of these materials is to capitalize on the physical and chemical advantages of the fibrous morphology, size, and state. 

Whisker, whisker-crystal A modern technical term originating in the field of solid-state physics for highly elongate crystals resembling mineral fibers that are synthesized from a variety of inorganic substances, usually at elevated temperatures or pressures. Whiskers are synthetic fibrous materials (see chapter 2). 

The tensile strength of materials is dependent on the treatment and form of the material. Thus, the tensile strength of isotropic bulk nylon-6,6 is less than that of anisotropic oriented nylon-6,6 fiber. Inorganics and metals also form fibers and whiskers with varying tensile strengths (Table 14.1). Fibers are generally less crystalline and larger than whiskers. 

The most important polymeric matrices are linear and cross-linked polyesters, epoxy resins and linear and cross-linked polyimides the most important reinforcements are high-performance polymeric fibres and filaments (for polymeric composites), filaments of refractory metals and inorganic materials (E-glass, A12C>3, B, BN, SiC and Carbon) and whiskers (fibrillar single crystals of A1203, B4C, WC, SiC and C, exclusively for reinforcement of metals). 

Basically a plastic composite is the assembly of two or more materials made to behave as a single product. Examples include vinyl-coated fabric used in air mattresses or laminated metal bonded together with a plastic adhesive used in helicopter blades. The RP type of composite combines a plastic with a reinforcing agent that can be fibrous, powdered, spherical, crystalline, or whisker, made of organic, inorganic, metallic, or ceramic material. To be structurally effective, there must be a strong adhesive bond between the resin and reinforcement. 

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