RATH presents ALTRA FLEX®, the 1st European oxide ceramic continuous fiber
Vienna, May 7, 2025
Recently, the production plant for the manufacture of the ALTRA FLEX® oxide ceramic continuous fiber in M75, MK85 and K99 qualities was commissioned at the RATH Mönchengladbach site (Germany). This makes RATH the first European manufacturer and supplier to offer a solution for producers and processors of temperature-resistant fabrics and composite materials.
Strength and flexibility up to 1200 oC
The addition of ALTRA FLEX® oxide ceramic continuous fiber in three grades has now enabled RATH to once again expand its broad portfolio of pioneering solutions: ALTRA FLEX® is outstanding in the industry and maintains both strength and flexibility up to 1200 oC. Other advantages include high thermal shock resistance, elevated creep 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, 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 FLEX® is planned
To date, RATH has developed the mullite fiber M75 (with an elevated creep resistance as well as a tensile strength of up to 1,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa), the mullite-corundum fiber MK85 (with a tensile strength of up to 1,900 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 230 GPa) and the corundum fiber K99 (with a tensile strength of up to 2,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 350 GPa). Initially, up to 10 tons of ALTRA FLEX® oxide ceramic continuous fiber are to be produced annually in the production plant in Mönchengladbach. ALTRA FLEX® is manufactured at the RATH plant in Mönchengladbach (Germany) under the strictest quality controls and is constantly tested in the RATH laboratory and by third parties.
ALTRA FLEX® 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