Gerard Soula

Ceramics from Organometallic Polymers: Industrial Perspectives

Because of their chemical composition and polymeric state, organometallic polymers may be processed into various preceramic shapes and structures that can be subsequently transformed into the corresponding ceramic structures and shapes. Thus, preceramic polymers can be used to produce ceramic fibers, coatings, whiskers, matrices and powders or as binders in ceramic composite materials. The fields of applications are diverse, ranging from materials for the space shuttle to golf clubs. Nevertheless, engineers and scientists have to face several difficult scientific and technical challenges to obtain these new materials. In order for preceramics to have widespread industrial use, it is necessary to find solutions to overcome the problems associated with reproducible, inexpensive syntheses and facile processing methods for transforming the preceramic shapes into defect free ceramic products. A specific example that will be discussed, is the preparation of long silicon carbonitride fibers.