Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

James M O'Kelly

Thomas Gabor

Joseph H Eaton

Chris J Goodbrake

Barrier coatings are deposited onto fibrous materials at atmospheric pressure by a continuous CVD process. A relatively short furnace tube with an unrestricted outlet is used. Thus, the supply and takeup reels do not need to be contiguous with the coating part of the apparatus. This allows the periodic removal of fuzz and soot without the interruption of the coating process.

Continuous atomspheric pressure CVD coating of fibers

A self-cleaning chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus and method allow CVD reactors to operate long periods of time without manual removal of extraneous materials such as soot and fuzz. The apparatus is made self-cleaning by superposing a scraping member having a surface, such as a glass rod, over an inner surface of a reactor, and effecting relative movement between the inner surface and scraping member surface. Preferably the reactor is tilted at an angle to horizontal to enhance removal of extraneous material.

Self-cleaning chemical vapor deposition apparatus and method

Continuous atmospheric pressure CVD coating of fibers

To inhibit agglomeration of fibrous material during composite preparation and to increase transverse strength, particulates such as whiskers have been attached to the fibrous material. Whiskers can be economically grown on the fibrous material while it is transported lengthwise through a heated gaseous mixture under APCVD conditions and the presence of an agent for catalyzing the formation of whiskers. The fibrous material preferably is a roving or tow of a ceramic or carbon.

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New Brighton, MN, United States of America

James M O'Kelly