The Standard Oil Company

Douglas A White

Joseph R Fox

A method for preparing substrates for VLS fiber producing reactions and a method for preparing SiC fibers by the VLS process. The first method includes the steps of forming an alcohol sol containing a fiber growth promoter material precursor, applying the sol to at least one surface of the substrate and drying the sol. More particularly, the steps can include forming a sol of colloidal hydrous metal oxide particles in a liquid, the metal oxide being a fiber growth promoter material precursor and the liquid being capable of dissolving a salt of the metal and of wetting the substrate surface as a sol, applying the sol to at least one surface of the substrate and drying the sol. The method for the production of SiC fibers includes the steps of applying to at least one surface of a non-metallic, high temperature resistant substrate a sol coating containing a SiC fiber growth promoter material precursor, drying the sol coating and contacting the substrate with silicon and carbon containing gases at a temperature of about 1300.degree. C. to about 1500.degree. C.

VLS Fiber growth process

High surface area open microporous, partially crystalline, partially amorphous, solid ceramic materials containing silicon carbide with or without silica with or without carbon may be prepared by controlled pyrolysis of (RSiO.sub.1.5).sub.n gels in an inert atmosphere. The silica and carbon content, surface area, and pore size and distribution may be altered by optional subsequent processing steps to selectively remove carbon and/or silica.

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

Douglas A White