Spinnablity and structure characterization of mullite fibers via sol–gel-ceramic route

Abstract Viscosity and rheology behaviors of the mullite sols prepared from aqueous solution of aluminum nitrate, aluminum isopropoxide and tetraethylorthosilicate has been investigated. Rheological measurement suggested that mullite sols exhibited good spinniabilty when the evaporation of the solvent is allowed during sol–gel process. Spinnable sols showed shear-thinning flow behavior with high viscosity to the time of gelation. By adjusting temperature, the gelation degree and viscosity of the sol could be stabilized at a certain value and the sol–gel transition could be transferred to the spinning line of a laboratory dry-spinning apparatus. Continuous mullite fibers were obtained from such sols using sol gel dry-spinning method. The final ceramic fibers had smooth surfaces with an average diameter of 50 μm. Structure evolution of mullite ceramic fibers were characterized by MAS NMR and specific surface area analyses.