ALTRA FLEX®, developed by RATH: The 1st European oxide ceramic continuous fiber

Vienna, February 26, 2025

Drawing on 35 years of experience in the development and production of high-temperature ceramic fiber, the international refractories manufacturer is always looking for innovative ways to develop new, pioneering product solutions for industry. This also applies to oxide ceramic continuous fiber: RATH has been working on its development for several years. The addition of ALTRA FLEX® oxidic ceramic continuous fiber in two grades has now enabled RATH to once again expand its broad portfolio of pioneering solutions: ALTRA FLEX® is unsurpassed in the industry and maintains both strength and flexibility up to 1200 oC. Other advantages include high thermal shock resistance, excellent dimensional stability and low thermal conductivity. These properties, especially the retention of flexibility in extreme temperature ranges, open up many possibilities. The roving is ideal for fabrics, 3D printing, composites, weaving, braiding and more. This makes it a future-oriented material in many industries and fields of application. 

Important raw material for the production of oxide ceramic matrix composites 

Oxide ceramic continuous fiber is widely used, especially as reinforcing fibers in various matrices (CMC, MMC). Due to its high tensile strength and stiffness as well as its excellent chemical and thermal resistance, continuous fiber can, for example, provide ceramic matrices with quasi-ductile, damage-tolerant fracture behavior. This continuous fiber is an important raw material for the production of oxide ceramic matrix composites. 

An annual production of up to 10 tons of ALTRA FLEXÒ is planned 

To date, RATH has developed the corundum fiber K99 (with a tensile strength of up to 3,000 MPa and an E-modulus of over 350 GPa) and the mullite fiber M75 (with a tensile strength of up to 1,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of over 200 GPa). Other qualities, especially those with higher creep resistance, are already in development. Initially, up to 10 tons of ALTRA FLEXÒ oxide ceramic continuous fiber are to be produced annually in the production plant in Mönchengladbach.  

ALTRA FLEXÒ is a product of RATH Research and Development and was created as part of the HORIZON EUROPE project InVECOF (Innovative Value Chains for European Ceramic Oxide Fibers).  

More information: www.rath-group.com/altraflex 

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