Initial Assessment of the Weavability of Monazite‐Coated Oxide Fibers

A preliminary assessment was made of the viability of weaving cloth from LaPO4 (monazite) coated Nextel™ 720 and Nextel 610 fiber tows. As part of the assessment, the effect of coating speed on coating uniformity was evaluated. The results enabled the selection of a higher coating speed (6 cm·s−1) for the coating and sizing of Nextel 610 tow. Sizing the coated tow with polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol dissolved in water was found to be effective. The coatings remained on the fibers, and the fiber strength was retained following the weaving process.