RANDOMLY DISPERSED METAL FIBER MAT

The present invention relates to a method of continuously producing metal fibers, which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of nucleation sites of metal by injecting a stream of gaseous metal carbonyl into a reaction chamber through a first port means while injecting a stream of an inert gas, at a temperature of at least 425 DEG F., into said reaction chamber through a second port means, said first and second port means being positioned to promote mixing of said metal carbonyl and said inert gas as they enter said reaction chamber whereby partial pyrolysis of the metal carbonyl is effected to provide nucleation sites of the metal; subjecting said metal at said nucleation sites to a source of radiant heat while still is in said reaction chamber, to effect further metal carbonyl pyrolysis whereby fibers of the metal are caused to grow so as to have a diameter of at least 0.5 micron, and a length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1; and continuously removing said metal fibers from said reaction chamber. The present invention also concerns novel metal fibers and provides a novel random mat of metal fibers having a void volume of over 90% which can be employed to produce a number of unique new products.