When to use Nextel™ 550 Industrial Fibers & Nextel™ 550 Composite Fibers

The family of 3M™ Nextel™ Fibers was developed to serve a variety of needs. 3M™ Nextel™ Fiber 550 is designed for non-structural applications where their primary purpose is to insulate or to act as a flame barrier.

Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 550 is used in the electronic market for both insulation and seals.

When the fiber is stressed at high temperature, the glassy phase weakens the fiber due to viscous flow much like a glass fiber. 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 550 does not contain B2O3 and therefore does not have a glassy phase. At exposure temperatures higher than 2192°F (1200°C), the strength of 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 550 is lower strength than 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 440 due to the formation of larger grained mullite.

On the other hand, because 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 550 has no glassy phase it retains its strength better at temperature as is shown in the graph below where the roving is tested at temperature.

When selecting the fiber type for a particular application, it is important to consider all these factors. Other factors, such as corrosion, chemical resistance, or atmospheric conditions may influence the final selection.

3M™ Nextel™ 550 Ceramic Fiber Typical Properties

Property	Units	3M™ Nextel™ 550
Use Temperature	—	2200°F
Filament Diameter	mm	10-12
Crystal Size	nm	<500
Crystal Type		gamma/delta Al2O3 + amorph. SiO2
Density	g/cc	3.03
Filament Tensile Strength (51mm gage)	MPa	2000
Filament Tensile Modulus	GPa	193
Surface Area	m2/g	<.2
Composition	wt%	73 Al2O3 15 SiO2
Thermal Expansion (100-1100°C)	ppm/°C	5.3
Dielectric Constant	(@ 9.375 Ghz)	~5.8

3M™ Nextel™ Roving 550 – Typical Properties

Color: Blue

Roving	Nominal	Yield ± 10%		Breaking Load*
	Filament
	Count	yds/lb	m/kg	lbs	kg
1000 denier (111 tex)	400	4460	8990	9	4,1
2000 denier (222 tex)	750	2230	4490	14	6,4

3M™ Nextel™ Plied Yarn 550 – Typical Properties

Color: Blue

Yarn	Ends	Diameter		Yield ± 10%		Breaking Load*
		in	mm	yds/lb	m/kg	lbs	kg
1000 denier (111 tex) 2.7 Twists/inch (106 Twists/m)**
1/2	2	0.010	0,25	2150	4330	21	9,5
2000 denier (222 tex) 2.7 Twists/inch (106 Twists/m)**
1/2	2	0.017	0,43	1070	2160	36	16,3

Note:  All yields are based upon sized rovings and yarns.  The allowable range in add-ons for sizing is 1.1 to 3.0% by weight.  The allowable tolerance on final twist is ± 30%.
*  Tested at room temperature.
**  The allowable tolerance on final twist is ± 30%.  Other twist levels available.

3M™ Nextel™ 720 Roving Strength Maximum Temperature Limit

	Roving Strength
Fiber	Maximum
	Temperature Limit
Nextel™ 550	1300°C

* Strain rate = 12.5 mm/min

Fiber Weight Loss Nextel™ 550 Ceramic Fiber Roving

Roving samples were subjected to 2192°F (1200°C) for fifteen hours. Fibers were weighed before and after the fifteen hour exposure in order to determine weight loss. The fiber evolves B2O3 at temperatures greater than 2012°F (1100°C).

Fiber	Weight Loss %
550	0

Shrinkage on Nextel™ 550 Fiber

Roving samples were held at each temperature for fifteen hours. After that time they were measured for shrinkage. All fiber compositions showed less than three percent shrinkage after fifteen hours at 2372ýF (1300ýC). Nextel™ 550 Fiber compositions showed shrinkage of less than 1.5% at these conditions.

Nextel™ Ceramic Fiber 550 Moisture Absorption

The 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers 550 absorb very little moisture due to their smooth, non-porous surface. Fibers exposed to 100% relative humidity for several hours at room temperature had 0.08% weight gain.

Back to 3M™ Nextel™ Overview

Further information on 3M™ Nextel™ 550 Ceramic Textiles

• Nextel™ 550 MSDS

Further information on other 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Textiles

• Click for Nextel™ 312
• Click for Nextel™ 440
• Click for Nextel™ 610
• Click for Nextel™ 720

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