Small-Diameter Alumina Fibers Can Be Used as Reinforcement for Medical Composites

Argonide Nanomaterials (Stanford, Florida) has developed alumina fibers with a diameter of just 2 nm, a large surface area of 500–600 m²/g, and aspect ratios ranging from 20 to 100. They are smaller than the size of a DNA molecule.

"These fibers are two orders of magnitude smaller than any other commercially available alumina and/or silicon carbide fibers, which are about 0.5 µm in diameter," says marketing manager Cindi Prorok.

It is generally recognized that fibers with smaller diameters are more effective in strengthening metals, ceramics, or plastics. The NanoCeram fibers offer the potential for substantial increases in composite strength over previous fibers. They are also likely to form superior ceramic membranes and membrane reactors because of their higher surface area compared to the particulate powders used to produce membranes.

Applications for NanoCeram include use as a structural reinforcement for metals, plastics, ceramics, and membranes; as reinforcement for medical and dental composites; for ultrafiltration; and for electrical and thermal insulation.

Karim Marouf