High Temperature Saphire Fiber Cladding

Sapphire fibers are well suited to the task of sensing harsh environments, tolerating temperatures well above 1500 C and strong chemicals. It is proposed to develop, a stable high temperature coating on sapphire fiber cladding. Previous research has shown the proposed cladding material forms a stable high temperature coating on sapphire in oxidizing atmospheres. Furthermore the coating is strongly bound to the sapphire, and the binding. layer is extremely thin and thus it is appropriate for use as a fiber cladding material. An appropriate methods for applying the cladding will be developed, together with the processing conditions for curing the cladding onto the fiber Testing include the measurement of basic mechanical properties and optics fiber properties a room temperature up to very high temperatures. The equipment and techniques required for continuous production of clad sapphire fiber will be defined. The feasibility of the clading and the cladding method will be assessed, and a Phase 2 plan for a prototype cladding facility will be developed.S