Fine diameter ceramic fibres

Two families of small diameter ceramic fibres exist. The oxide fibres, base d on alumina and silica, which were initially produced as refractory insula tion have also found use as reinforcements for light metal alloys. The prod uction of SIC based fibres made possible the development of ceramic matrix composites. Improved understanding of the mechanisms which control the high temperature behaviour of these latter fibres has led to their evolution to wards a near stoichiometric composition which results in strength retention at higher temperatures and lower creep rates. The SiC fibres will however be ultimately limited by oxidation so that there is an increasing interest in complex two phase oxide fibres composed of alpha-alumina and mullite as candidates for the reinforcement of ceramic matrices for use at very high t emperatures. These fibres show low creep rates, comparable to the SiC based fibres but are revealed to be sensitive to alkaline contamination. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.