REV 1/06

NICALONTM

CERAMIC FIBER

COI Ceramics, Inc. (COIC) is a leading supplier ofceramic reinforcements and ceramic matrixcomposites (CMC). COIC began operations in 1999and employees a highly technical staff with extensiveexperience and knowledge in high performanceceramics. Our San Diego, California facilitymanufactures CMC’s while our Salt Lake City, Utahfacility serves as a worldwide fiber distribution andtechnical support center. For more information onceramic fiber capabilities and cost, contact ourtechnical staff at (801) 251-8111 or , (801) 251-8049or browse the web at www.coiceramics.com. Sendwritten requests to 7812 West 4100 South, Magna,Utah 84044.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONNICALON™ ceramic fiber is a multi-filament siliconcarbide-type fiber manufactured by Nippon CarbonCo., Ltd. of Japan. The fiber is homogeneouslycomposed of ultra-fine beta-SiC crystallites and anamorphous mixture of silicon, carbon, and oxygen.The fiber has excellent strength and modulusproperties for ceramic fibers, and retains its propertiesat high temperatures. NICALON™ is highly resistantto oxidation and chemical attack.

NICALON™ is available in a wide variety of electricalgrades, product forms, and surface treatment options,depending on the intended use. Typical propertiesare shown in Table 1.

USESNICALON™ ceramic fiber can be used as areinforcement for plastic, ceramic, and metal matrixcomposites to produce high performance composite

materials. Surface treatments are normallyrecommended to facilitate processing and maximizecomposite properties.

NICALON™ can also be used to form fibrous productssuch as high temperature insulation, filters, etc. Itsresistance to chemical attack allows it to be used inharsh environments.

GRADESNICALON™ ceramic fiber is available in two primarygrades, differentiated by electrical properties. Otherelectrical grades, such as low volume resistivity arealso available. Contact COI Ceramics to discussspecific needs.

Ceramic Grade (CG) NICALON™

The standard grade of the NICALON™ product line;offers the optimum mechanical properties and high-temp performance for most applications.

HVR Grade NICALON™

A low dielectric (high volume resistivity ) fiber that isdesigned to offer an optimum balance of mechanicaland electrical properties in dielectric structures.

PRODUCT FORMSNICALON™ ceramic fiber is available in severalphysical forms and with several surface treatmentoptions, to offer the maximum application flexibility.

Continuous Fiber

Supplied as multi-filament tow, spooled on 3 inch IDbobbins to 500 meters in length (100 grams inweight). Also available in random lengths at areduced price.

Woven Cloth

Available in three weave styles as shown in Table 2.Woven cloth is typically supplied as 1-meter-widecontinuous rolls of specific lengths. Other weave orbraid styles can be made available. Contact COICeramics to discuss specific needs.

Chopped Fiber

Available of 1-mm length chopped multi-filamenttow. Longer lengths also available. Contact COICeramics to discuss specific needs. Packaged as 3 kgcontainers.

Felt / Mat

Random lengths of NICALON™ ceramic fiber in aPVA binder. Customizable areal weights, shapes andsizes. Contact COI Ceramics to discuss specific needs.

COI Ceramics , I n c o r p o r a t e d • 7812 Wes t 4100 Sou th • Magna , U tah 84044T e l : 801.251.8111 or 801.251.8049 • F a x : 8 01. 251.8031 • W e b : w w w . c o i ceramics. c o m

HOW TO USE

Polymer Matrix Composites

NICALON™ family of products is suitable forincorporation into standard resin prepreg, usingconventional prepreg techniques. Unidirectional ororiented prepreg can be produced using continuousfiber, or woven cloth, respectively. Special fiber surfacetreatments (see Table 3) are normally recommendedto maximize fiber property translation into thecomposite and to afford superior retention ofcomposite properties under hot-wet conditions. Resinsystems can include the entire line of thermosets andthermoplastics.

Ceramic Matrix Composites

NICALON™ can be incorporated as the reinforcingphase for a variety of ceramic composites. StandardCMC processing techniques, such as sol-gel, chemicalvapor infitration, melt infiltration or polymer infiltrationcan be used, depending on the users needs andcapabilities. Candidate matrix materials include siliconcarbide, silicon nitride, alumina, glasses, and others.Fiber surface treatments are generally removed beforemaking CMC’s, such as by heating to 600C for 30minutes. Fiber interface coatings, such as BN, arerecommended to achieve optimum CMC properties.The specific grade of Nicalon and the specificprocessing technique is best determined by the user.

Metal Matrix Composites

Chopped, woven, or continuous NICALON™ ceramicfiber can serve as a reinforcing phase in MMC’s. The

specific grade of Nicalon and the specific processingtechnique is best determined by the user.

Weaving, Braiding, and Coating

As a textile grade yarn, NICALON™ can be readilyincorporated into a large variety of woven tapes,braides, etc. Specialty interface coatings such as BN(often required for optimum CMC mechanicalproperties) may be applied to the tow or cloth. Anetwork of US contractors exists to respond tocustomer needs. Contact COI Ceramics to discussspecific needs and receive further information.

AVAILABILITY & ORDERINGNICALON™ ceramic fiber is available exclusively inNorth America from COI Ceramics, Inc. For moreinformation, contact the COI Ceramics, Magna, UTSales & Customer Service Office at 801-251-8111.

LIMITED WARRANTYCOI Ceramics believes that the information containedherein is an accurate description of the typicalproperties and uses of the products, but it is yourresponsibility to test the material to determine itsperformance and safety for your application.

COIC’s sole warranty is that the product meets currentsales specs. Specification writers should contact COICfor sales specifications. COIC specifically disclaims anyother express or implied warranty.

T

Weave Style Yarn Count Arial Weight (ends/inch) (for CG) (warp x fill)

Plain Weave (PW) 16 x 16 250 g/m2

5 Harness Satin (5HS) 16 x 16 250 g/m2

8 Harness Satin (8HS) 22 x 22 380 g/m2

TABLE 2: STANDARD WEAVE SIZES

Ceramic Grade HVR GradeFiber Denier 1800 1800Density, g/cc 2.55 2.32Composition, wt.% Si:C:O 57:32:12 57:32:12Filaments per Tow 500 500Filament Diameter, um 14 14Tensile Strength, GPa 3.0 2.8Tensile Modulus, GPa 210 180Vol. Resistivity, ohm-cm 103 >106

Dielectric Constant 9.2 6.4Loss Factor 1.0 0.05CTE, ppm/C, 0-900C 3.9 3.9Thermal Conductivity, W/m.KAt 25C 2.97At 500C 2.20Specific Heat, J/g.KAt 25C 0.71At 500C 1.17

TABLE 1: TYPICAL PROPERTIES at RT

Designation Type Intended Use*

M Sizing Poly-vinylacetate CMC, MMCPVA Sizing Polyvinyl Alcohol CMC, MMCP Sizing Modified Epoxy PMCDCC-2 Sizing Proprietary PMC, TS, TP

TABLE 3: SURFACE TREATMENT OPTIONS

* PMC = polymer matrix composite, CMC = ceramic matrix composite, MMC = metal matrix composite, TS = thermoset, TP = thermoplastic

Jay Curtis, ManagerPH: 801.251.8049, FX: 801.251.8031Mobile: 619.993.3009JayA.Curtis@atk.com

CERAMIC FIBER - CONTACTS:Hugh Spilker, EngineerPH:801.251.8111,FX:801.251.8031Mobile: 858.922.0877Hugh.Spilker@atk.com

COI Ceramics , I n c o r p o r a t e d • 7812 Wes t 4100 Sou th • Magna , U tah 84044T e l : 801.251.8111 or 801.251.8049 • F a x : 8 01. 251.8031 • W e b : w w w . c o i ceramics. c o m