Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Michael D Taylor

Martyn H Stacey

John Dinwoodie

Jeffrey Stuart Kenworthy

Geraldine A Moorman

Michael John Morton

Nicholas J Walton

Stuart S Boffey

Martin H Stacey

Andrew M Walker

A fluid, highly filled, curable composition comprising an organic liquid which is polymerisable to form a solid polymer without the formation of elimination products and which is based on methyl methacrylate, 20 to 70% by volume of finely divided inorganic filler particles, at least 1% by volume of these being in the form of particles having a diameter of at least 30 microns, with the proviso that when the maximum particle size of such particles is 150 microns they are present at a concentration of between 20% and 70% by volume and when particles are present having a size of greater than 150 micron they are present at a concentration of at least 1% but preferably not exceeding 30% by volume and from 0.05 to 5.0% by weight of the total composition, of an organophilic, surface modified clay having a particle surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2 /g. The composition has viscosity characteristics which enable the composition to be readily pumped into moulds using low pressure equipment but which at the same time enables the large filler particles to be kept uniformly dispersed during the curing of a moulding.

Highly filled, polymerisable compositions

A porous low density inorganic oxide fibre of improved strength and flexibility has at least 25% of the porosity provided by axially aligned pores. The fibres are produced by spinning into fibres a spinning solution in which is incorporated a non-ionic surface active agent having a cloud point in the solution above the fibre spinning temperature and less than 20.degree. C. above the fibre spinning temperature, preferably within the range of 5.degree.-15.degree. C. above the fibre spinning temperature. The fibre may be an alumina fibre which can be free from silica and is useful as reinforcement in MMCs.

Method of producing inorganic oxide fibers with axially aligned porosity

A metal matrix composite comprises essentially-aligned, fine-diameter inorganic oxide fibers embedded in a metal matrix material such as a light metal, for example aluminium or magnesium or an alloy thereof. In a particular embodiment the fibers are nominally-continuous and preferably are of mean diameter below 5 microns. The composite can be made by liquid infiltration of a fiber preform comprising the fibres bound together with an inorganic or an organic binder or (in the case of short fibers) by extrusion of a mixture, for example a suspension, of the fibers and powdered metal matrix material.

Fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites

A metal matrix composite comprises randomly-oriented inorganic oxide fibres of density below 3 g/ml embedded in a metal matrix material such as a light metal, for example aluminium or magnesium or an alloy thereof. In a particular embodiment the fibres are of density 1.8 to 2.5 g/ml and preferably are of mean diameter from 2 to 10 microns. The composite can be made by liquid infiltration of a fibre preform comprising the fibres bound together with an inorganic or an organic binder or by extrusion of a mixture of the fibres and a powdered metal matrix material.

Fibre-reinforced metal matrix composites

A fibre product comprising fine-diameter inorganic oxide fibres, for example alumina fibres, which can be compressed to increase the volume fraction of fibres to at least 0.25 without excessive damage to the fibres. In a preferred embodiment the fibres are nominally-continuous and essentially-aligned and such a product is made by blow-spinning through a converging duct and collection on a wind-up drum. The product may be in the form of a mat or blanket, a tape or a woven material.

Inorganic oxide fibres and their production

Alumina fibre is prepared by spinning a solution containing an aluminium compound and an organic polymer, removing solvent and contacting the fibre with ammonia or an amine before conversion of the fibre to alumina.

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Great Barrow, United Kingdom

Michael D Taylor