Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

A method of preparing a fiber for use in forming a ceramic matrix composite material comprises the steps of removing a polymer coating from an outer surface of glass or ceramic fibers by providing heated and humidified gas across the glass or ceramic fibers for a period of time.

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.

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.

Provided is surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric comprising: (a) a fiber, yarn, or fabric having a surface; (b) a graphene layer having a thickness from 0.34 nm to 20 m and comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler coated on or bonded to the surface, with or without using an adhesive resin, to form a graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; and (c) a metal layer comprising a plated metal deposited on the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; wherein the graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from a pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. This film exhibits a high scratch resistance, strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, light reflectivity, gloss, etc.

Provided is process for producing a surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric, the process comprising: (a) Feeding a continuous fiber, yarn, or fabric from a feeder roller into a graphene deposition chamber containing therein a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler dispersed in a first liquid medium and an optional adhesive resin dissolved in the first liquid medium; (b) Operating the graphene deposition chamber to deposit the graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to a surface of the fiber, yarn, or fabric for forming a graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; (c) Moving the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric into a metallization chamber which accommodates a plating solution therein for plating a layer of a desired metal onto the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric to obtain a surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric; and (d) Operating a winding roller to collect the surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric.

A gypsum product with a fortified glass fiber mat is provided in which the glass fiber mat is strengthened by crystallization of salt crystals on the glass fiber mat prior to the glass fiber mat use in the gypsum product. Methods for making a glass fiber mat saturated with salt crystals and gypsum products with the glass fiber mats are provided as well.

A gypsum product with a fortified glass fiber mat is provided in which the glass fiber mat is strengthened by crystallization of salt crystals on the glass fiber mat prior to the glass fiber mat use in the gypsum product. Methods for making a glass fiber mat saturated with salt crystals and gypsum products with the glass fiber mats are provided as well.

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.