High-performance Si-N-O fibres: Pilot-scale production, characterisation and applications

Amorphous silicon oxynitride fibres (Si-N-O) have been shown to possess extraordinary high-temperature properties. They are chemically, mechanically and structurally stable up to 1400 degreesC in nitrogen, 1300 degreesC in argon and 1200 degreesC in air. Production of discontinuous fibre mats has been performed by a single-step process route running at 1450 degreesC with SiO2, SiC, Ti powder and NH3 gas as inexpensive raw materials. In a novel prototype reactor for pilot-scale production, up to 50g of fibres can be synthesised per batch run. Due to their as-processed morphology and highperformance properties, the fibres are very promising for use in high-temperature applications such as filter and insulation material or reinforcement for short-fibre reinforced CMC's and MMC's.