High temperature and structural ceramic fibers and textiles for reliable flame, heat and impact resistance.
3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers and Textiles
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From rocket boosters and racecars to industrial furnaces and fuel cells, 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers and Textiles help enable and protect critical equipment when the heat is on. Once used to protect NASA Space Shuttles against the heat of reentry, today Nextel fabrics provide heat, flame and impact shielding for aircraft and spacecraft. Here on earth, Nextel products are used in such varied applications as seals and gaskets, electrical insulation and composite reinforcement.
Both lightweight and durable, Nextel ceramic fibers and textiles are designed to meet today’s most demanding thermal, mechanical and electrical performance requirements. Made of continuous ceramic oxide fibers, Nextel products are available in a variety of forms, including chopped fibers, sewing threads, braided sleevings and woven fabrics. Nextel fibers are coated during manufacture with sizings or finishes to aid textile processing. We offer heat cleaning services to remove sizings and heat treating services for applications requiring extended exposure to hot, humid environments. Discover how the unique properties of Nextel ceramic fibers and textiles can help you improve equipment reliability in some of the most challenging environments on earth – and beyond.
- High temperature resistance up to 2372ºF (1300ºC)
- High strength and stiffness
- Thermal shock resistance
- Fire resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Electrical resistance at elevated temperatures
- Abrasion and impact resistance
Discover more about the unique properties of Nextel ceramic fibers and textiles.
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High Temperature Applications
Nextel products retain their strength and flexibility at temperatures up to 2372ºF (1300ºC), outperforming the useful limits of other high temperature textiles. With a combination of low thermal conductivity, thermal shock resistance and electrical resistance at high temperatures, Nextel products offer a proven solution for fire protection, seals and other heat resistant components.
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Structural Reinforcement for Composites
Nextel ceramic fibers are used as structural reinforcements in a variety of metal, ceramic and polymer composites, making them stiffer and stronger. Nextel structural ceramic fibers offer high creep resistance, low shrinkage and very high compressive strength. Suitable for load-bearing applications, the resulting composites withstand higher temperatures than metals, at a lighter weight.
Applications
Browse the links below to take a closer link at how you could benefit from using Nextel ceramic products in your industry.
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Aerospace
Used in spacecraft for heat shielding and impact protection, Nextel products also offer reliable performance in civilian and military aircraft in applications ranging from firewalls to CMC exhaust components.
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Electrical
With low thermal conductivity and high electrical resistance, Nextel textiles are ideal for high temperature electrical insulation applications including wires, heaters and thermocouples.
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Fuel Cells
Nextel fibers and textiles are used in gaskets, reinforced composites, interconnect wire insulation and other fuel cell applications to help protect stack integrity and extend cell life.
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Industrial
Nextel textiles are used to fabricate a wide range of shields, protective covers and other heat resistant devices for furnaces, steel production, investment casting and other high temperature processes.
Support
Request a sample or fabrication assistance, or contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M Technical Specialist.
Call 800-367-8905 (7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central)