The present invention relates to a method for producing a fibre-reinforced, transparent composite material (10), comprising the following steps: a) providing a material matrix melt and b) producing reinforcing fibres (14), step b) of the method comprising the steps of b1) providing a mixture having a silicon source and a carbon source, the silicon source and the carbon source being present together in particles of a granulated solid; b2) treating the mixture provided in step a) of the method at a temperature in a range from 1400 C. to 2000 C., more particularly in a range from 1650 C. to 1850 C.; thereby producing reinforcing fibres (14), the method comprising the further steps of c) introducing the reinforcing fibres (14) into the material melt; and d) optionally cooling the material melt to form a transparent composite material (10). A method of this kind allows a composite material to be produced that is able to unite high transparency with outstanding reinforcing qualities.

Composite materials are provided which include a glass-ceramic matrix composition that is lightly crystallized, a fiber reinforcement within the glass-ceramic matrix composition which remains stable at temperatures greater than 1400 C., and an interphase coating formed on the fiber reinforcement. A method of making a composite material is also provided, which includes applying heat and pressure to a shape including fiber reinforcements and glass particles. The heat and pressure lightly crystallize a matrix material formed by the heat and pressure on the glass particles, forming a thermally stable composite material.

A composite material structure including a matrix material layer; and a plurality of one-dimensional nanostructure distributed in the matrix material layer and having an electrical conductivity which is greater than an electrical conductivity of the matrix material layer, wherein the plurality of one-dimensional nanostructures includes a first one-dimensional nanostructure and a second one-dimensional nanostructure in contact with each other.

An optical nanocomposite containing optically active crystals (rare earth or transition metal doped) in a suitably index-, dispersion-, thermo-optically matched matrix enables creation of a glass ceramic with unique optical properties. By further tuning the viscosity of the composite, it can be drawn into fiber form, dissolved into solution and subsequently deposited as a thin film, or used as a bulk optical component. Critical to achieving a viable material is closely matching the attributes needed to not only achieve optical function but to enable fabrication under elevated temperatures (i.e., during fiber drawing) or in unique chemical or thermal environments, such as during deposition as a thin film. This invention uses nanosized crystalline powders (nanocrystalsNC), blended with multicomponent chalcogenide glass (ChG) to form an optical nanocomposite. The blended NC:glass integrates compositional tailoring to enable matching of optical properties (index, dispersion, dn/dT), specialized dispersion methods to ensure homogeneous physical dispersion of NCs within the glass matrix during preparation, while minimizing agglomeration and mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion. The latter attributes are critical to maintaining low loss (optical scatter) and induced stress birefringence due to mismatch between the NC and glass' parent properties. By tailoring the base glass composition's viscosity versus temperature profile, the resulting bulk nanocomposite can be further formed to create an optical fiber, while maintaining physical dispersion on NCs, avoiding segregation of the NCs. This enables low loss conditions suitable for lasing within the material.

An apparatus for making a composite article includes a monofilament feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of ceramic monofilament strands, a fiber yarn feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of fiber yarn tows impregnated with a plurality of glass particulates, a mandrel, and a heater assembly. The mandrel is adapted to wind together individual glass-impregnated fiber yarn strands and individual ceramic monofilament strands to form a dual-fiber weave. The heater assembly is adapted to heat at least the glass particulates such that pressure from the wound array of ceramic monofilaments is sufficient to consolidate the glass particulates and the dual-fiber weave into a dual-fiber ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

An apparatus for making a composite article includes a monofilament feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of ceramic monofilament strands, a fiber yarn feed track adapted to carry a spaced array of fiber yarn tows impregnated with a plurality of glass particulates, a mandrel, and a heater assembly. The mandrel is adapted to wind together individual glass-impregnated fiber yarn strands and individual ceramic monofilament strands to form a dual-fiber weave. The heater assembly is adapted to heat at least the glass particulates such that pressure from the wound array of ceramic monofilaments is sufficient to consolidate the glass particulates and the dual-fiber weave into a dual-fiber ceramic matrix composite (CMC).

Novel formulations of inorganic, chemically bonded, phosphate alumino silicate sprayable coatings are disclosed. The disclosed coatings retain all the positive attributes of similar coatings disclosed in recent patents on corrosion and fire protection, and in addition, provide, superior surface toughness and smoothness, better abrasion and acid resistance, less erosion and longer durability with zero flame-spread coatings on wood surfaces. Being pore-free, water cannot penetrate into these coatings. Unlike the previous inorganic oxide-based phosphate coatings, the glassy phase in these coatings provides a translucent and dense surface. The component pastes are smoother to pump, do not settle or harden during storage and transport, and in addition, do not exhibit pozzalinic properties.

A methodology is disclosed to produce nanostructured carbon particles that act as effective reinforcements. The process is conducted in the solid state at close to ambient conditions. The carbon nanostructures produced under this discovery are nanostructured and are synthesized by mechanical means at standard conditions. The benefit of this processing methodology is that those carbon nanostructures can be used as effective reinforcements for composites of various matrices. As example, are to demonstrate its effectiveness the following matrices were including in testing: ceramic, metallic, and polymeric (organic and inorganic), as well as bio-polymers. The reinforcements have been introduced in those matrices at room and elevated temperatures. The raw material is carbon soot that is a byproduct and hence abundant and cheaper than pristine carbon alternatives (e.g. nanotubes, graphene).

Composite roofing structures can include mineral fiber roof cover boards with high concentration of mineral wool or mineral wool and perlite. The roofing structure may include: a roof cover board including a dried base mat including: 8-25% mineral wool, 40-65% perlite, 9-15% binder, 9-15% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent, all % by weight; an insulation layer; and a roofing membrane. The roof cover board is over the insulation layer, the roofing membrane is over the roof cover board. The roof cover board is attached to the insulation layer. The roofing membrane is attached to the roof cover board. Alternatively dried base mat may include: 30-70% mineral wool, 10-50% perlite, 5-15% binder, 2-20% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent. Alternatively the dried base mat may include: 60-90% mineral wool, 0-10% fiber, 0-10% perlite, 4-10% binder, 0-5% gypsum, and 0.25-2% sizing agent.

Fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes suitable for use in a cell employing an anode comprising an alkali metal are disclosed. Such fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes may be at least partially amorphous and prepared by compacting, at elevated temperatures, powders of an ion-conducting composition appropriate to the anode alkali metal. The separators/solid electrolytes may employ discrete high aspect ratio fibers and fiber mats or plate-like mineral particles to reinforce the separator solid electrolyte. The reinforcing fibers may be inorganic, such as silica-based glass, or organic, such as a thermoplastic. In the case of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes, any of a wide range of thermoplastic compositions may be selected provided the glass transition temperature of the polymer reinforcement composition is selected to be higher than the glass transition temperature of the amorphous portion of the separator/solid electrolyte.