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Show Materials Reaction-Sintered Si3N4 Ceramic Matrix Composites CVD Monolithic SiC Suppli ers (1) o Norton o Kyocera (Japan) o GTE o Ceradyne o Norton o GTE o AiResearch/Garrett o Ceradyne/Ford o Amercom/3M o Arco o Babcock & Wilcox o Refractory Composite o Alcoa o Corning Glass o 3M o DuPont o AVCO o Thermo Electron o Midland Materials o Thermo Electron Status -Prototype components available for evaluation in non-radiant tube application -Prototype components available for evaluation in non-radiant tube application -Very early in development stage -Prototype component development Comments -2500oF-2800oF (max) -Potential candidate for radiant tube -No manufacturing facility to make large tubes -Property data needed for comparison -2500-2800oF (max) -Potential candidate for radiant tube -No manufacturing facility to make large tubes -Property data needed for comparison -2000-2800oF (max) -Potential candidate for radiant tube -Property data needed for comparison -Significant development needed in fabrication steps -Commercial products in 1900-1995 -3000oF (max) -Potential candidate for radiant tube -Require new manufacturing technique to reduce production cost -Property data needed for comparison -Commercial products in 1900-1995 Foot note (1): The suppliers list is not intended to be complete. strain-tolerant and shock tolerant, and capable of carrying some load after initial fracture. Reinforced ceramics also allow one to design much higher on the material's stress-strain curve than is presently possible with monolithic ceramics. Fiber reinforcement provides the unique opportunity to tailor desirable directional properties into a material. Ceramic matrix composite technology is in the very early stages of development. It is important to recognize that ceramic composites should not be considered as a panacea for the deficiencies (real or perceived) of monolithic ceramics in current design applications. Nevertheless, significant opportunity does exist for exploiting the potential benefits of advanced ceramic composite material developments currently being funded by several 310 federal institutions including the Departments of Commerce, Defense and Energy. SUMMARY To capitalize on the high form value of natural gas in industrial heating and melting operations, cost-effective gas-fired equipment must be developed for application in more demanding, higher temperature processes. However, the overall performance of natural gas-fired equipment currently used in many industrial applications is constrained by the temperature limitations of the materials of construction. Improved performance is largely contingent on the successful development of low-cost, reliable, high temperature materials. Structural ceramics offer an attractive alternative to conventional |
