Synthesis of Ceramic Fibers from Polymethylsilsesquioxane by Novel Curing Method

研究开发了以商品化硅树脂聚甲基倍半硅氧烷为原料合成SiOC纤维的工艺。从其热固性性质的观点出发，研究了起始聚合物的熔融可纺性。对于在热解过程中保持纤维形状所需的固化过程，金属氯化物蒸气反应，如SiCl_4或TiCl_4，或电子辐照交联是有效的。合成纤维在1000-1200 ℃的温度范围内显示出显著的抗氧化性，并在纤维表面上形成保护层。在此基础上，利用氢气控制热解环境，可促进纤维芯的脱碳反应。从而成功地获得了显示光致发光的浅色光纤。

Synthesis process of SiOC fibers from polymethylsilsesquioxane, which is a kind of widely commercialized silicone resins, was studied and developed. Melt spinnability of the starting polymer was investigated from the viewpoint of its thermosetting nature. For the curing process necessary for maintaining the fiber shape during the pyrolysis, metal chloride vapor reactions, such as SiCl_4 or TiCl_4, or electron irradiation cross-links were effective. Synthesized fibers showed substantial oxidation resistance in the temperature range of 1000-1200 C with forming a protective layer on the fiber surface. On the basis of this established procedure, control of pyrolysis environment by using hydrogen, decarbonization reaction from the fiber cores can be promoted. Thus the light colored fiber showing photoluminescence was successively obtained.