Flexible microcrystalline zirconium carbide fabric
AssigneeUnion Carbide Corporation
InventorBernard H. Hamling
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Abstract
Flexible metal carbide fabrics are produced by a process that involves the steps of: (a) impregnating a preformed organic polymeric fabric with a solution of a metal compound; (b) heating the impregnated fabric to evolve volatile decomposition products and to leave a carbonaceous relic containing the metal in finely dispersed form; and (c) further heating the relic to 1000.degree.-2400.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form the metal carbide. Boron carbide and silicon carbide fabrics produced by this process are attractive for high temperature structural applications.
Claims1
A flexible microcrystalline zirconium carbide fabric which can be folded upon itself without creasing or breaking, the individual fibers of which have:
- (a) a tensile strength greater than 100,000 pounds per square inch,
- (b) a crystal grain size of less than two tenths of a fiber diameter,
- said zirconium carbide having a melting point of at least about 3300.degree. F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.