handbook of carbon, graphite, diamond and fullerenes

170 Carbon, Graphite, Diamond, and Fullerenes
reason, these fibers are usually and generally more accurately called
"carbon fibers". The terminology "graphite fiber" is still found in many
references in the literature and certainly could be justified in some cases
such as the highly-oriented pitch-based fibers. However, to simplify
matters, "carbon fibers" will be used in this book.
1.4 Competing Inorganic Fibers
In the competing world of today, where performance and economics
are the keys to success, it is necessary to compare carbon fibers with other
inorganic-fiber contenders in order to obtain the proper perspective.
These competitors are produced from glass, ceramic oxides, silicon
carbide, and boron. Table 8.3 compares their main characteristics and lists
typical applications.
Table 8.3. Characteristics and Applications of Inorganic Fibers
Material
Glass
Oxides
Silicon
carbide
Boron
Carbon
Main
Characteristics
High strength
Low modulus
Low temperature
Low cost
Medium strength
Good oxidation
resistance
High cost
High strength
High modulus
High cost
High strength
High modulus
High cost
High strength
High modulus
Low density
Low oxidation
resistance
Medium cost
Typical
Applications
Insulation
Reinforced plastics
Ceramic composites
High-temp, insulation
Filtration
High-temp, composites
Plastic and metal
composites
Reinforced plastics
Carbon-carbon
High-temp insulation