It was learned that in an insulation heating coil used for continuously heating a running steel sheet, the conventional insulated structure of the induction heating coil was selected focusing on the heat resistance and insulation ability of the insulation itself and cannot prevent a drop in insulation ability due to entry of fine metal particles (for example, zinc fumes) in the surroundings. Therefore, an insulated structure of induction heating coil preventing the entry of zinc fumes and other fine metal particles, not falling in strength even in a high temperature environment, and able to extend the service life of the induction coil is provided. Specifically, the surface of the induction heating coil is covered with a ceramic cloth made of alumina-silica ceramic long-fibers not containing boron and the surface of that is formed with a heat-resistant insulation layer made of a surface hardening ceramic material containing alumina or alumina-silica fine particles and alumina-silica ceramic short-fibers.

Ceramic matrix composite components and methods for fabricating ceramic matrix composite components are provided. In one example, a ceramic matrix composite component includes a ceramic matrix composite body. The ceramic matrix composite body includes a layer-to-layer weave of ceramic fibers and a layer of 1-directional and/or 2-directional (1D/2D) fabric of ceramic fibers disposed adjacent to the layer-to-layer weave. When stressed, the ceramic matrix composite body forms a relatively high through-thickness stress region and a relatively high in-plane bending stress region. The layer-to-layer weave is disposed through the relatively high through-thickness stress region and the layer of 1D/2D fabric is disposed through the relatively high in-plane bending stress region.

A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite includes forming a preform by weaving a plurality of warp tows with a plurality of weft tows, weaving a plurality of fugitive yarns into a region of the preform in at least one of a warp position or weft position, and subsequently, decomposing the fugitive yarns to transform the region into a pre-weakened region, the pre-weakened region having a higher porosity than a remainder of the preform.

A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite includes forming a preform by weaving a plurality of warp tows with a plurality of weft tows, weaving a plurality of fugitive yarns into a region of the preform in at least one of a warp position or weft position, and subsequently, decomposing the fugitive yarns to transform the region into a pre-weakened region, the pre-weakened region having a higher porosity than a remainder of the preform.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes applying a coupling medium to a surface of a fibrous structure, positioning an ultrasonic probe adjacent to the surface of a fibrous structure, such that a tip of the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the coupling medium, moving at least one of the ultrasonic probe and the fabric structure relative to the other of the ultrasonic probe and the fibrous structure according to a first pattern, and imparting ultrasonic vibration with the ultrasonic probe to the surface of the fibrous structure while moving the ultrasonic probe along the surface of the fibrous structure. Imparting ultrasonic vibration to the surface of the fibrous structure spreads tows of the fibrous structure.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes applying a coupling medium to a surface of a fibrous structure, positioning an ultrasonic probe adjacent to the surface of a fibrous structure, such that a tip of the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the coupling medium, moving at least one of the ultrasonic probe and the fabric structure relative to the other of the ultrasonic probe and the fibrous structure according to a first pattern, and imparting ultrasonic vibration with the ultrasonic probe to the surface of the fibrous structure while moving the ultrasonic probe along the surface of the fibrous structure. Imparting ultrasonic vibration to the surface of the fibrous structure spreads tows of the fibrous structure.

A fireproof material used for a lithium battery module and a method for producing the same are provided. The fireproof material has a stacked structure formed by stacking multiple layers of mesh structures. Each layer of the mesh structures includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The first fibers are oxidized fibers, and the second fibers are silicate fibers. Each layer of the mesh structures is formed by interweaving the plurality of first fibers and the plurality of second fibers. The multiple layers of the mesh structures of the fireproof material have a stacked layer number of between 5 layers and 20 layers and a stacked layer thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. The fireproof material has a density of between 0.05 g/cm.sup.3 and 2 g/cm.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity of between 0.01 W/(m.Math.K) and 0.8 W/(m.Math.K).

A fireproof material used for a lithium battery module and a method for producing the same are provided. The fireproof material has a stacked structure formed by stacking multiple layers of mesh structures. Each layer of the mesh structures includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The first fibers are oxidized fibers, and the second fibers are silicate fibers. Each layer of the mesh structures is formed by interweaving the plurality of first fibers and the plurality of second fibers. The multiple layers of the mesh structures of the fireproof material have a stacked layer number of between 5 layers and 20 layers and a stacked layer thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. The fireproof material has a density of between 0.05 g/cm.sup.3 and 2 g/cm.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity of between 0.01 W/(m.Math.K) and 0.8 W/(m.Math.K).

A flexible multilayer battery pack insulator for an electric vehicle has a multilayer wall including a plurality of layers of interlaced mineral material including an inner layer having a first exposed, outwardly facing surface and an outer layer having a second exposed, outwardly facing surface. A first flame-resistant coating is bonded to at least one of the plurality of layers. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is bonded to the first exposed, outwardly facing surface of the inner layer. At least one filament fixes the plurality of layers to one another.

A flexible multilayer battery pack insulator for an electric vehicle has a multilayer wall including a plurality of layers of interlaced mineral material including an inner layer having a first exposed, outwardly facing surface and an outer layer having a second exposed, outwardly facing surface. A first flame-resistant coating is bonded to at least one of the plurality of layers. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is bonded to the first exposed, outwardly facing surface of the inner layer. At least one filament fixes the plurality of layers to one another.