A method of preparing a ceramic fabric for use in a ceramic matrix composite includes arranging a plurality of tows to form a ceramic fabric with a first inter-tow spacing, applying a binder material to the ceramic fabric, and applying pressure to the ceramic fabric to form a pressure stabilized ceramic fabric. Each of the plurality of tows of the ceramic fabric has a first thickness, and each of at least a subset of the plurality of tows of the pressure stabilized ceramic fabric has a second thickness less than the first thickness.

Provided is a carbon-fiber nonwoven cloth with low resistance to gases or liquids passing through, and low resistance in the thickness direction to heat or electricity, which is particularly appropriate for a gas diffusion electrode of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell; the cloth having an air gap with a diameter of at least 20 μm, at least some of the carbon fibers being continuous from one surface to the other surface, and the apparent density being 0.2-1.0 g/cm.sup.3, or, having an air gap with a diameter of at least 20 μm and at least some of the carbon fibers being mutually interlaced, and further, at least some of the carbon fibers being oriented toward the thickness direction and the apparent density being 0.2-1.0 g/cm.sup.3.

A fiber structure includes a plurality of weft layers and a plurality of warp layers interlinked with three-dimensional or multilayer weaving, the fiber structure including at least first and second portions that are adjacent in the warp direction, the first portion presenting thickness in a direction perpendicular to the warp and weft directions that is greater than the thickness of the second portion. The weft layers situated in the core of the first portion of the fiber structure include braids. The weft layers extending on either side of the weft layers including the braids and going as far as the skin of the first portion include yarns or strands, the braids presenting a section greater than the section of the yarns or strands.

A method is for the production of a scintillator fiber. In an embodiment, the method includes provisioning a suspension of a binder dissolved in a solvent and a scintillator material; and pressing the suspension into a precipitation bath in which the binder is insoluble.

Metal alloy knit fabrics, thermal protective members formed therefrom and their methods of construction are disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature metal alloy wire that is drapable allows for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection. The metal alloy knit fabrics described herein overcome the limitations of current welded stainless steel mesh seal coverings by providing coverings that withstand higher operational temperatures than stainless steel, are wear and snag resistant, can be a separate seal layer or as a portion of an integrated seal construction, can accommodate tight curvature changes to achieve complex shapes without wrinkling or buckling, and can be joined in the knitting process, sewed or mechanically fastened, without the need for welding.

Disclosed is a method of forming a 3D woven omega-shaped stiffener by flat weaving a plurality of layers of interwoven warp and weft fibers to form a flat woven fabric having a cap portion, a first and a second web portion, a first and second foot portion, and an inner wrap portion. The 3D woven fabric is woven so that least some of the weft fibers are continuous across a juncture between the web portion and the foot portions. The flat woven fabric is then formed into the omega shape.

A ceramic matrix composite includes at least one ply of ceramic fibers and a a ceramic matrix material deposited on the ceramic fibers. A fiber volume fraction is between about 35-45% and an areal weight fibers is between about 150-450 g/m2. A method of fabricating a ceramic matrix composite component is also disclosed.

Provided are an inorganic fiber-formed article having both high basis weight and excellent peel strength and a mat for an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus and an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus including the inorganic fiber-formed article. The inorganic fiber-formed article includes inorganic fibers and needle marks extending in the thickness direction and including vertical bundles composed of the inorganic fibers extending in the thickness direction, in which the average volume of the vertical bundles per needle mark measured by a prescribed peel test is 1.0 mm.sup.3 or more.

Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape performs at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

Provided is a strand from which a modeled object with excellent impact strength can be easily formed by a 3D printer and a modeled object with excellent impact strength. A strand of the present disclosure is a strand used as a raw modeling material for a 3D printer, the strand including a base material containing thermoplastic resin as a main component and one or more fibers or fiber bundles impregnated in the base material and extending in an axial direction and the strand being twisted along the axial direction.