Amorphous silicon nitride-based fibers composite material reinforced with the fibers and processes for production thereof.

摘要

Inorganic fibers having a high strength and a high modulus of elasticity at a high temperature are provided. The inorganic fibers are amorphous inorganic silicon nitride-based fibers composed of silicon and nitrogen, optionally with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, and having atomic ratio between above respective elements of N/Si = 0.3 to 3, O/Si = up to 15, C/Si = up to 7 and H/Si = up to 15, wherein ratios of X-ray scattering intensity thereof to that of air at 1 DEG and 0.5 DEG respectively are from 1 to 20 and the silicon nitride-based fiber is still amorphous after heating in an inactive atmosphere at 1200 DEG C for 1 hour. Composites of a metal, a ceramics, and a high molecular weight organic compound reinforced with the above fibers are also provided.