Influence of formation conditions and precursor viscosity on mean fiber diameter formed using the relating disk method

Alumina ceramic fibers were produced from aluminum-hydroxidechloride based sol. Polyvinyl alcohol and surface active material were applied to adjust the rheological characteristics of the: sol. The rotating disk formation method was chosen for fiber production in which the fiber has been spinned from the sol by combined rotation and centrifugal force of the rotating disk. The distance of the sol dosage from the disk center and the speed of disk rotation were changed in experiments. The sol dosation was performed at a very small distance from the surface of the disk. The fiber diameter was determined using image analysis methods. The diameter measurement results were handled by statistical methods. Regression analysis was used to obtain a linear model for the dependence of fiber diameter on rotation speed, radius of the point for sol dosation, and sol viscosity. The obtained regression model can be used to discuss the dependence of the fiber diameter on formation parameters and viscosity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.