Microstructure and High Temperature Properties of 85% Al2O3-15% SiO2 Fibers

Abstract

AbstractA new sol/gel fiber which exhibits exceptional high temperature properties was recently developed at 3M. This fiber has the composition 85% Al2O3-15% SiO2 (85A-15S). High temperature tensile strength and creep properties were measured in the temperature range 1000°C – 1300°C. The creep rate for the 85A-15S fibers was three orders of magnitude less than single phase polycrystalline alumina fibers such as Nextel 610, and 90% of room tensile strength was retained at 1250°C. These exceptional high temperature properties were attributed to a unique, two-phase microstructure consisting of globular and elongated grains of a-Al2O3 and mullite (3Al2O3-2SiO2). The room temperature single filament strength of the 85% Al2O3-15% SiO2 fibers was 2130 MPa, and the elastic modulus was 260 GPa.