Ceramic coatings on carbon and metallic fibres by electrophoretic deposition

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was applied to coat carbon and stainless steel fibres with alumina and titania nanoparticles, respectively. Non-aqueous colloidal suspensions suitable for EPD experiments were prepared by mixing ultrasonically a given amount of the ceramic particles in ethanol. After ultrasonic mixing, the suspensions were clear and stable and, therefore, suitable for the EPD experiments. The EPD parameters, e.g. voltage between electrodes, deposition time and pH of the suspensions, as well as the drying conditions were optimised in order to obtain crack-free, high-quality ceramic coatings on individual fibres. The coated fibres are intended as reinforcing elements for the fabrication of ceramic composites and as oxidation resistant fibrous bodies for applications in filters and membranes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.