Table 1: Continuous Fibers

Dow Corning

1) CG Nicalon

• Description: polycarbosilane-derived Si-C-O fiber
• Form: tow & fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 3,000/220
• Cost ($/lb): $360
• Current Production (lbs/year): 26,000
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites, insulation, heat shields

2) HVR Nicalon

• Description: polycarbosilane-derived Si-C-O fiber
• Form: tow & fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,400/210
• Cost ($/lb): $420
• Current Production (lbs/year): 1000
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: polymer matrix composites

3) HI Nicalon (low oxygen)

• Description: polycarbosilane-derived, radiation-cured Si-C-O fiber
• Form: tow & fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,800/270
• Cost ($/lb): $6,360
• Current Production (lbs/year): 50
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites

4) HPZ

• Description: polysilazane-derived Si-N-C fiber
• Form: tow & fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,900/220
• Cost ($/lb): $5,000
• Current Production (lbs/year): Developmental
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites

5) Dow Corning SiC (stoichiometric SiC)

• Description: Crystalline SiC (beta) fiber
• Form: tow & fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,700/380
• Cost ($/lb): NA
• Current Production (lbs/year): Research
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic and metal matrix composites
  

3M

1) NextelTM 312

• Description: sol-gel processed fiber, 62% Al203, 24% SiO2, 14% B203
• Form: roving, fabric, sleeve
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 1,720/152
• Cost ($/lb): $77.40
• Current Production (lbs/year): Proprietary
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites; seals; radomes; insulation; heat shields

2) NextelTM 440

• Description: sol-gel processed fiber, 70% Al203, 28% SiO2, 2% B203
• Form: roving, fabric, sleeve
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,060/186
• Cost ($/lb): $146.10
• Current Production (lbs/year): Proprietary
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites; seals; radomes; insulation; heat shields

3) NextelTM 550

• Description: sol-gel processed fiber, 73% Al203, 27% SiO2
• Form: roving, fabric, sleeve
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,000/193
• Cost ($/lb): $195.00
• Current Production (lbs/year): Proprietary
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites; seals; radomes; insulation; heat shields

4) NextelTM 610

• Description: sol-gel processed fiber, >99% Al203
• Form: roving, fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,400/380
• Cost ($/lb): $1,200 [< $200]
• Current Production (lbs/year): Proprietary
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites
  

5) NextelTM 720

• Description: sol-gel processed fiber, >99% Al203
• Form: roving, fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa):
• Cost ($/lb):
• Current Production (lbs/year): Proprietary
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix composites

MER

1) MER X-SiC

• Description: conversion of graphite to SiC 50-70% SiC
• Form: tows, fabric, preform
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 1,200-1,800/320
• Cost ($/lb): $400-$4,000 [$300]
• Current Production (lbs/year): 75 [10,000]
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites for fusion, aerospace, filtration, burner tubes, etc.
  

Textron

1) Altex

• Description: alkoxide-derived Al203-SiO2 fiber
• Form: tow, fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 1,800/210
• Cost ($/lb): $250 [$125]
• Current Production (lbs/year): 30,000
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic composites, industrial abrasives, cryogenic containers

2) Tyranno

• Description: polymer-derived Si-Ti-C-O fiber
• Form: tow, fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 3,300/180
• Cost ($/lb): $370
• Current Production (lbs/year): 15,000
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic composites, RCS reduction, conductive cable

3) Tyranno Lox M

• Description: polymer-derived Si-Ti-C-O fiber, reduced oxygen content
• Form: tow, fabric
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 3,300/180
• Cost ($/lb): $475
• Current Production (lbs/year): NA
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites

4) Tyranno Lox E

• Description: polymer-derived Si-Ti-C-O fiber, electron beam radiation cured
• Form: tow
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): NA
• Cost ($/lb): > $5,000
• Current Production (lbs/year): Experimental
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites

5) Under Development/Not Available

• Description: CVD SiC yarn by microwave processing
• Form: yarn
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 2,000/200 [estimated]
• Cost ($/lb):
• Current Production (lbs/year): Experimental
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites
  

Carborundum

1) SiC fibrils

• Description: VLS SiC single crystal fibrils
• Form: fibrils, yarn, mat
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 6,900/580
• Cost ($/lb): NA
• Current Production (lbs/year): Developmental
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites

2) SiC fiber

• Description: sintered powder continuous fiber
• Form: fiber, fabric, preforms
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 1518/414 [2070]
• Cost ($/lb): $300-$500
• Current Production (lbs/year): 100 [1,000; 2nd 1/4 1994]
• Production (Domestic/Import): Domestic
• Applications: ceramic matrix composites
  

ICD Group

1) Almax

• Description: 99.5 % Al203 fiber
• Form: tow, fabric, sleeving
• Strength/Modulus (MPa/GPa): 1,800/330
• Cost ($/lb): $250/$205 (>200 lb)
• Current Production (lbs/year): 11,000
• Production (Domestic/Import): Import
• Applications: ceramic and metal matrix composites, insulation
  

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Revised: February 13, 1996