Technology background
Inorganic oxides are especially important in ceramic technology and have been studied for many years for different applications.. Typically, the oxides are comminuted to very low granulometries, formed and sintered, often at temperatures above 1500°C. This processing consumes a high amount of energy and leads to obtaining non-homogeneous materials. (presence of impurities and defects) that result in properties below expectations and, regarding its performance in service, low final reliability of the ceramic product.
Technology description
The present invention describes a process for the synthesis of aluminum oxides aimed at obtaining alpha alumina ceramic fibers. More particularly, the invention deals with obtaining polycrystalline alumina microfibers.
Problem Fixed
The innovation overcomes technical difficulties and describes a process for obtaining polycrystalline alumina fibers starting from hexahydrated aluminum chloride, acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide, which are all cheap and readily available materials.
Applications
The technology can be applied in the production of fiber-reinforced composite materials, thermal insulation and reinforcing material in ceramics and polymers (as in bulletproof and shielding collections).
Advantages
Some of the advantages of the sol-gel route in the processing of ceramic oxides are:
– Allows obtaining homogeneous products because the precursor materials are liquids and mixing liquids is easier than mixing solids;
– It is economical from the point of view of energy consumption: obtaining the gel occurs at low temperatures;
– It is possible to obtain high purity products depending on the purity of the precursors and, otherwise, it is possible to distill or purify the precursor in the sol system preparation step;
– Allows obtaining products of varied morphology: post, films, Fibers, porous or high density bodies.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL – Technology Readiness Level)
Status and opportunity
Patent granted by INPI under application number PI0501884-6.
The patent can be found in full at Lume by link.
Inventors
Carlos Pérez Bergmann
Annelise Kopp Alves
Felipe Amorim Berutti
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