The present application discloses and claims a method to make a flexible ceramic fibers (Flexiramics™) and polymer composites. The resulting composite has an improved mechanical strength (tensile) when compared with the Flexiramics™ alone. Several different polymers can be used, both thermosets and thermoplastics. Flexiramics™ has unique physical characteristics and the composite materials can be used for numerous industrial and laboratory applications.

A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

The present application discloses and claims a method to make a flexible ceramic fibers (Flexiramics™) and polymer composites. The resulting composite has an improved mechanical strength (tensile) when compared with the Flexiramics™ respective the nanofibers alone. Additionally a composite has better properties than the polymer alone such as lower fire retardancy, higher thermal conductivity and lower thermal expansion. Several different polymers can be used, both thermosets and thermoplastics. Flexiramics™ has unique physical characteristic and the composite materials can be used for numerous industrial and laboratory applications.

A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

Apparatus and methods for forming melt-formed fibres and melt-formed biosoluble fibers are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a spinning head comprising one or more rotors; a plurality of nozzles or slots disposed around at least part of the one or more rotors; a conveyor; and a barrier between the spinning head and the conveyor.

The present application discloses and claims a method to make a flexible ceramic fibers (Flexiramics) and polymer composites. The resulting composite has an improved mechanical strength (tensile) when compared with the Flexiramics respective the nanofibers alone. Additionally a composite has better properties than the polymer alone such as lower fire retardancy, higher thermal conductivity and lower thermal expansion. Several different polymers can be used, both thermosets and thermoplastics. Flexiramics has unique physical characteristic and the composite materials can be used for numerous industrial and laboratory applications.

A filament containing a core material (CM) coated with a layer of shell material (SM), wherein the (CM) contains the components a) to c): a) 30 to 80% by volume, based on the total volume of the C) of at least one inorganic powder (IP), b) 20 to 70% by volume, based on the total volume of the CM of at least one binder (B) comprising component b1) b1) at least one polymer (P) and c) optionally at least one additive, wherein the at least one polymer (P) is a polyoxymethylene (POM) homopolymer, a POM copolymer or POM terpolymer and wherein at least some of the OH-end groups of the PO) homopolymer are capped, and the SM contains the components d) to f): d) 75 to 100% by volume, based on the total volume of the SM of at least one thermoplastic polymer, e) optionally at least one inorganic powder (IP), and f) optionally at least one additive, wherein the thickness of the layer of shell material is 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

Apparatus for forming melt-formed fibres comprises: a source of molten material; a spinning head comprising one or more rotors; a plurality of nozzles or slots disposed around at least part of the one or more rotors, configured to supply a stream of gas; a conveyor; and a barrier (4) between the spinning head and the conveyor (6), an upper edge of the barrier lying below a horizontal line (22) lying in a first vertical plane (17) including axis of rotation (16) of at least one rotor of the one or more rotors and intersecting the intersection of the axis of rotation with a second vertical plane (18) orthogonal to the first vertical plane and including a vertical line (20) through said region, the included angle between the horizontal line (22) and a line (21) in the first vertical plane joining the upper edge of the barrier and the intersection of the horizontal line and axis of rotation being in the range of 40?-85?. Method of making melt-formed fibres using the apparatus. Melt formed biosoluble fibres being alkaline earth silicate fibers having a low shot content.