RATH presents ALTRA FLEX®, the 1st European oxide ceramic continuous fiber

First in Europe – and quality: Drawing on 35 years of experience in the development and production of high-temperature ceramic fiber, RATH has developed an oxide ceramic continuous fiber that is outstanding in the industry. With ALTRA FLEX^®, RATH is the first European manufacturer and supplier of oxide ceramic continuous fiber in M75, MK85 and K99 quality.

Recently, the production plant for the manufacture of the ALTRA FLEX^® oxide ceramic continuous fiber in M75, MK85 and K99 qualities was commissioned at the RATH Mönchengladbach site (Germany). This makes RATH the first European manufacturer and supplier to offer a solution for producers and processors of temperature-resistant fabrics and composite materials.

ALTRA FLEX^® is outstanding in the industry and maintains both strength and flexibility up to 1200 °C. Other advantages include high thermal shock resistance, elevated creep resistance, excellent dimensional stability and low thermal conductivity. These properties, especially the retention of flexibility in extreme temperature ranges, open up many possibilities. The roving is ideal for fabrics, composites, weaving, braiding and more. This makes it a future-oriented material in many industries and fields of application.

Important raw material for the production of oxide ceramic matrix composites

Oxide ceramic continuous fiber is widely used, especially as reinforcing fibers in various matrices (CMC, MMC). Due to its high tensile strength and stiffness as well as its excellent chemical and thermal resistance, continuous fiber can, for example, provide ceramic matrices with quasi-ductile, damage-tolerant fracture behavior. This continuous fiber is an important raw material for the production of oxide ceramic matrix composites.

An annual production of up to 10 tons of ALTRA FLEX^® is planned

To date, RATH has 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). Initially, up to 10 tons of ALTRA FLEX^® oxide ceramic continuous fiber are to be produced annually. 

ALTRA FLEX^® is a product of RATH Research and Development and was created as part of the HORIZON EUROPE project InVECOF (Innovative Value Chains for European Ceramic Oxide Fibers).

→ More information: www.rath-group.com/altraflex