Melt-processed calcium aluminate fibers: structural and optical properties

Frederick T. Wallenberger; Norman E. Weston; Sherman D. Brown

doi:10.1117/12.46516

1 August 1991 Melt-processed calcium aluminate fibers: structural and optical properties

Frederick T. Wallenberger, Norman E. Weston, Sherman D. Brown

Proceedings Volume 1484, Growth and Characterization of Materials for Infrared Detectors and Nonlinear Optical Switches; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46516
Event: Orlando '91, 1991, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

This paper compares melt processed calcium aluminate fibers from two technologies in terms of their optical and structural properties. Strong amorphous fibers with a modulus 15-16 Mpsi (vs. 9-12 Mpsi for silica fibers) can be drawn from quaternary, low-silica calcium aluminate melts with 42-44%/wt. Al2O3, <6% SiO2, and <5% MgO, and from quaternary, non-silica Ca aluminate melts with 46% Al2O3, 4% MgO, and 14% BaO. These fibers have excellent structural properties. Amorphous Ca aluminate melts with 51.5-80.2% Al2O3 (both with and without silica) have much lower viscosities. They cannot be drawn from supercooled melts, but can be spun, by inviscid melt spinning, whereby a low viscosity jet is ejected into propane, affording chemically induced jet stabilization. These fibers were weaker, but were found to have sapphire-like infrared transmission spectra. A carbon sheath from the pyrolytic decomposition of propane was formed on the surface of most spun fibers. It acted like a hermetic coating and was found to significantly enhance the hydrolytic stability of the fibers.

Citation Download Citation

Frederick T. Wallenberger, Norman E. Weston, and Sherman D. Brown "Melt-processed calcium aluminate fibers: structural and optical properties", Proc. SPIE 1484, Growth and Characterization of Materials for Infrared Detectors and Nonlinear Optical Switches, (1 August 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46516

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available