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Rath AG (Vienna, Austria), with 35 years of experience in the development and production of high-temperature ceramic fibers, has developed Altra Flex,  an oxide ceramic continuous fiber, reportedly making Rath the first European manufacturer and supplier of oxide ceramic continuous fiber in M75, MK85 and K99 qualities/grades. The company recently commissioned a production plant for the manufacture of Altra Flex in M75, MK85 and K99 grades at the Rath Mönchengladbach site in Germany, expanding its portfolio of composite material solutions. 

Oxide ceramic continuous fiber is widely used, especially as reinforcing fibers in various matrices (such as CMC, MMC). Due to its high tensile strength and stiffness, as well as its high chemical and thermal resistance, these continuous ceramic fibers can, for example, provide ceramic matrices with quasi-ductile, damage-tolerant fracture behavior.  

Altra Flex is a product of Rath R&D and was created as part of the Horizon Europe project InVECOF (Innovative Value Chains for European Ceramic Oxide Fibers). It maintains both strength and flexibility up to 1200°C. Other advantages include high thermal shock resistance, elevated creep resistance, optimal dimensional stability and low thermal conductivity. These properties, especially the retention of flexibility in extreme temperature ranges, open up many possibilities, Rath reports. The roving is ideal for fabrics, composites, weaving, braiding and more. 

Initially, up to 10 tons of Altra Flex oxide ceramic continuous fibers are to be produced annually in Mönchengladbach, where it is under the strictest quality controls and is constantly tested in Rath’s laboratory and by third parties. 

To date, Rath has also developed the mullite fiber M75 (with an elevated creep resistance as well as a tensile strength of up to 1,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa); the mullite-corundum fiber MK85 (with a tensile strength of up to 1,900 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 230 GPa); and the corundum fiber K99 (with a tensile strength of up to 2,500 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 350 GPa).