Preparation of High-Performance Continuous Boron Nitride Fibers from Boracic Acid

Continuous multi-filament boron nitride fibers have been prepared on a large scale using the melt drawn technique from a low-cost boracic acid. Boracic acid was heated to obtain the molten boric oxide in a melting tank. Molten boric oxide was melt spun in a conventional manner through an 200-tip bushing to produce a continuous multifilament yarn consisting of 200 filaments of boric oxide. Boric oxide fibers were nitrided in an ammonia and were annealed in an inert atmosphere while simultaneously subjecting the fibers to sufficient longitudinal tension as to at least prevent longitudinal shrinkage of the fibers. The resulting fibers, consisting essentially of boron nitride, were less than about 8 μm in diameter and greater than 500 m in length. It indicated that the boron nitride fibers has a sound mechanical function with tensile strength of 1.40 GPa. The continuous boron nitride fibers of high-performance were especially suitable for reinforcing plastic, ceramic or metal matrices in the preparation of fiber reinforced composites.