Developed by RATH, produced in the EU: Innovative continuous oxide ceramic fibers for industrial applications

Continuous oxide ceramic fibers are widely used, especially as reinforcing fibers in various matrices (CMC, MMC). Due to their high tensile strength and stiffness as well as their excellent chemical and thermal resistance, continuous filaments can, for example, provide ceramic matrices with quasi-ductile, damage-tolerant fracture behavior. "These continuous fibers are an important raw material for the production of oxide ceramic matrix composites. However, the manufacturing process for such fibers is complex and there are very few suppliers worldwide, which makes it even more difficult to establish secure supply chains," says Christopher Kluthe, Senior R&D Manager, RATH.
After thermal treatment, these fibers, which are produced using the sol-gel process in a dry spinning process, have a mullite or corundum microstructure. So far, RATH has developed the mullite fiber M75 (with a tensile strength of up to 1,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of over 200 GPa) and the corundum fiber K99 (with a tensile strength of up to 3,000 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of over 350 GPa). Production processes for all the relevant manufacturing steps were developed in collaboration with specialist companies.
Completion of a fiber production plant by autumn 2024
Christopher Kluthe sees the transfer of the excellent results from the pilot plant to production scale as the current priority challenge in fiber development and also takes a look at the near and longer-term future: a fiber production plant is scheduled for completion by autumn 2024. The current focus is the production of larger quantities of K99 and M75 fibers for the manufacture of fabrics and composites, as well as the development of further grades, especially those with higher creep resistance. "The long-term goal is to become the first European supplier of oxide ceramic fibers and to produce up to 10 tons per year as a first step," says Christopher Kluthe, summarizing the current state of development.
For further questions contact us directly: info@rath-group.com
Contact:
Anja Rauter
Global Manager Marketing Communications
T +43 1 513 44 27 - 21 76
E anja.rauter@rath-group.com
Thomas Binder-Krieglstein
Head of Group Marketing
T +43 1 513 44 27 - 21 74
E thomas.binder-krieglstein@rath-group.com
