Product Applications Matrix
Case Studies and Composite Data (PDF) [Updated October 2023]
About Us (Video, LinkedIn) [Updated October 2023]
Specialty Materials, Inc. has been making boron and silicon carbide fibers for a number of years. In fact, boron fiber is one of the original high performance synthetic fibers used for structural applications. It has found applications in aircraft, space, sporting goods and industrial applications. Despite this history, there are many people out there who are unfamiliar with boron fiber, and are unsure where, how, or why they would use it.
We have put together the following matrix which lists current applications for our products. It includes the properties that make the application attractive, and the specific benefits for each particular application. We have also included applications for our newest product, boron nanopowder which was developed through our expertise in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology.
| APPLICATION | PRODUCTS | PROPERTIES | BENEFITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-15 & F-14 stabilizers | B/5505 over Al honeycomb core | High compression strength and stiffness | Reduced weight |
| Predator B UAV (spar caps) | Hy-Bor (B4-MR-40/NCT301) | High compression strength and stiffness | Reduced plies & weight Ease of manufactruing |
| Apex UAV Gliders | Woven B / RTM | High torsional stiffness | Improved flight window Gliders Anti-flutter |
| Golf shafts, hockey sticks, fly fishing rods, bicycle frames | Hy-Bor B/5521 | High compression strength and stiffness & high compression strength after impact | Reduced breakage feel |
| TERM - KE penetrator | Hy-Bor | High compression strength and stiffness | Lower wall thickness & less weight |
| Optical space benches | B/Cyanate esters | Desired CTE and low CME & High compression stiffness | Moisture-free component & stable platform |
| Grand Prix race cars | Hy-Bor | High compression stiffness | Improved aerofoil design & less weight |
| Aircraft repair | B/5521 | High compression strength and stiffness, desired CTE, high resistivity | Improved durability & life, no galvanic corrosion, ease of repair (no rivets) |
| Nuclear reactors | B fiber | Low atomic number | Neutron absorption and nuclear shielding |
| Composite applications in general | B fiber | Large monofilament & nodular surface for ease of bonding | Stiffness |
| MRI, telecommunications, super magnets | Boron nanopowder | Superconductivity | Higher current density, telecommunications, higher normal state electrical conductivity, super magnets,no silver jacket |
| CMC's, TMC's | SCS fibers | High stregth & stiffness, high thermal stability | Large diameter & Consistency |
| Medical electrodes | Carbon monofilament | Large monofilament | Large diameter & consistency |