JPH0751730B2 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber assembly - Google Patents

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 ［産業上の利用分野］ 本発明は、繊維集積体の製造方法並びに装置に係り、詳
しくは繊維の多くが円周接線方向に配向したとくに繊維
強化金属の製造に用いて好適な筒状の繊維集積体を得る
ための方法並びに装置に関する。Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber assembly, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced metal in which many fibers are oriented in a circumferential tangential direction. And a method for obtaining a suitable tubular fiber assembly.

［従来の技術］ 従来、繊維強化金属の製造に使用される短繊維又はウイ
スカ等の比較的短い繊維の集積体を得るために、たとえ
ば濾過膜を内張りした多孔円筒体内に繊維分散液を供給
し、遠心作用により濾液を飛散させて繊維の中空集積体
を成形するようにした遠心成形方法（特開昭60−65200
号公報）や、シリンダ内に供給した繊維分散液をプラン
ジャで加圧する一方、下底部から濾過材を介して濾液を
積極排出するようにした吸引成形方法などが知られてい
る。[Prior Art] Conventionally, in order to obtain an aggregate of relatively short fibers such as short fibers or whiskers used in the production of fiber-reinforced metal, a fiber dispersion is supplied into a porous cylinder lined with a filtration membrane, for example. , A centrifugal molding method in which the filtrate is scattered by a centrifugal action to form a hollow aggregate of fibers (JP-A-60-65200).
(Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-242242) and a suction molding method in which the fiber dispersion liquid supplied into the cylinder is pressurized by a plunger while the filtrate is positively discharged from the lower bottom portion through a filter material.

しかし、上記の成形方法によって得られた繊維集積体
は、繊維の多くが二次元又は三次元方向に配向したもの
であって繊維の体積率が低く、特に繊維強化金属の狙い
が強度の向上や熱膨張の抑制にある場合には、きわめて
不満足な結果しか得られなかった。However, in the fiber assembly obtained by the above-mentioned molding method, most of the fibers are oriented in the two-dimensional or three-dimensional directions, and the volume ratio of the fibers is low. Only very unsatisfactory results were obtained in the case of suppressing thermal expansion.

［発明が解決しようとする問題点］ 本発明は、繊維の多くが一次元配向した繊維集積体を得
るために、誘電液体中に繊維を分散させた繊維懸濁液
を、正負電極間に醸成された電界内に注入して該繊維を
静電配向させると同時に橋絡させ、同配向繊維を順次沈
降させて集積するという技術思想を基礎としている。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the present invention, in order to obtain a fiber assembly in which most of the fibers are one-dimensionally oriented, a fiber suspension in which fibers are dispersed in a dielectric liquid is prepared between positive and negative electrodes. It is based on the technical idea of injecting into the generated electric field to electrostatically orient the fibers and at the same time bridging the fibers, and sequentially precipitating and accumulating the fibers having the same orientation.

しかしながら、かかる基礎技術を工業的に実施する上で
生ずる問題も少なくはない。However, there are quite a few problems that occur when industrially implementing such basic technology.

例えば平行配置された正負電極間に醸成された電界内へ
繊維懸濁液を注入して該繊維を静電配向させた場合に
は、繊維の多くは一次元方向すなわち直線方向に配向し
た集積体が得られ、該集積体はそれなりにきわめて有用
ではある。ところが繊維強化金属の適用を希求されてい
る機能部品には円柱又は円筒形状のものも少なくなく、
上記直線配向した繊維集積体ではこのような機能部品に
は好適に対応できないという問題がある。For example, when a fiber suspension is injected into an electric field created between positive and negative electrodes arranged in parallel to electrostatically orient the fibers, most of the fibers are aggregates oriented in a one-dimensional direction, that is, a linear direction. Is obtained, and the aggregate is extremely useful as such. However, there are many columnar or cylindrical shaped functional parts that are sought after for the application of fiber reinforced metal.
There is a problem that the above-mentioned linearly oriented fiber assembly is not suitable for such functional parts.

本発明は、非連続繊維の多くが円周の接線方向に配向し
た円筒状の繊維集積体を得ることを解決すべき技術課題
とするものである。The present invention provides a technical subject to be solved to obtain a cylindrical fiber assembly in which most of the discontinuous fibers are oriented in the tangential direction of the circumference.

［問題点を解決するための手段］ 本発明は上記課題解決のため、直立円筒状空間内の円周
の法線方向に交互に配された複数対の正負電極間に電界
を醸成し、短繊維、ウイスカ等の非連続繊維を誘電液体
中に分散させた繊維懸濁液を上記電界内に注入して該繊
維を円周接線方向に静電配向させると同時に橋絡させ、
同配向繊維を順次沈降させて集積するという新規な構成
を採用している。[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention creates an electric field between a plurality of pairs of positive and negative electrodes that are alternately arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in an upright cylindrical space, and A fiber, a fiber suspension in which discontinuous fibers such as whiskers are dispersed in a dielectric liquid is injected into the electric field to electrostatically orient the fibers in the circumferential tangential direction and simultaneously bridge them,
A new structure is adopted in which the oriented fibers are sequentially settled and accumulated.

とくに本発明の重要な特徴は静電配向させるための電極
にあり、該電極は直立円筒状空間内の円周の法線方向に
配置されると同時に垂直方向に延在されており、その極
数にとくに制限はないが正電極と負電極の数が等しく、
かつ正電極と負電極が円周方向に交互に配設される。も
っとも好ましい形態は、直立円筒状空間が水平面内にお
いて各電極により偶数等分されていることであり、換言
すれば電極で区画された各扇状断面空間の寸法がほぼ等
しく、これによって各区画域に醸成される電界の強さが
ほぼ均一となされることである。A particularly important feature of the present invention resides in an electrode for electrostatic orientation, the electrode being arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in the upright cylindrical space and extending in the vertical direction at the same time. The number is not particularly limited, but the number of positive electrodes and negative electrodes is the same,
Moreover, the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The most preferable form is that the upright cylindrical space is evenly divided by each electrode in the horizontal plane, in other words, the dimensions of each fan-shaped cross-sectional space partitioned by the electrodes are substantially equal, and thus each partitioned area is divided into That is, the strength of the generated electric field is almost uniform.

上記電極は直立円筒状空間内において配向繊維を分断す
る形態で配設されるため、配向繊維の離断部分を少なく
する意味から可能な限り薄形とするのがよく、例えば箔
状、針線状、網状若しくはこれらの組合せ形状とするの
が望ましい。Since the above-mentioned electrodes are arranged in a form in which the oriented fibers are divided in the upright cylindrical space, it is preferable to make them as thin as possible in the sense that the separated portions of the oriented fibers are reduced. It is desirable to have a net shape or a combination thereof.

上記正負電極の表面には導電性繊維の短絡を防ぎ、かつ
繊維懸濁液の乱流を抑制する隔膜が被装される。該隔膜
は濾紙とすることもできるが、繊維懸濁液の乱流防止作
用を有するイオン交換膜とするのが好ましく、その場
合、正電極の表面には陰イオン交換膜が、負電極の表面
には陽イオン交換膜が被装される。これによって該陰イ
オン交換膜が正電極側に発生する陽イオンの繊維配向域
への透過侵入を阻止し、同様に該陽イオン交換膜が負電
極側に発生する陰イオンの繊維配向域への透過侵入を阻
止するため、イオンに起因する繊維懸濁液の乱れは巧み
に防止される。The surface of the positive and negative electrodes is covered with a diaphragm that prevents the conductive fibers from short-circuiting and suppresses the turbulent flow of the fiber suspension. The diaphragm may be a filter paper, but is preferably an ion exchange membrane having a turbulent flow-preventing action of the fiber suspension, in which case the anion exchange membrane is on the surface of the positive electrode and the surface of the negative electrode. A cation exchange membrane is coated on the. As a result, the anion exchange membrane blocks permeation and invasion of cations generated on the positive electrode side into the fiber orientation region, and similarly, the cation exchange membrane causes the anions generated on the negative electrode side toward the fiber orientation region. By preventing permeation penetration, turbulence of the fiber suspension due to ions is skillfully prevented.

繊維集積体の製造は、短繊維、ウイスカ等の繊維を誘電
液体中に分散させて繊維懸濁液とすることから始まる。The production of a fiber assembly starts with dispersing fibers such as short fibers and whiskers in a dielectric liquid to form a fiber suspension.

上記繊維として、短繊維及びウイスカの範疇に入るもの
のすべてを用いることができ、その径及び長さはとくに
限定されない。該繊維の材質としては、繊維懸濁液とし
て所定の電界内に注入された際、誘電液体中で静電配向
するものであればよく、例えば、アルミナ、シリカ、ア
ルミナ−シリカ、ベリリヤ、炭素、炭化珪素、窒化珪素
ガラスのほか各種金属等を使用することができる。ま
た、該繊維のうちちの２種以上を混合して使用すること
もできる。As the fibers, all of the short fibers and those belonging to the category of whiskers can be used, and their diameter and length are not particularly limited. The material of the fibers may be one that electrostatically aligns in the dielectric liquid when injected into a predetermined electric field as a fiber suspension, and examples thereof include alumina, silica, alumina-silica, beryllia, carbon, In addition to silicon carbide and silicon nitride glass, various metals can be used. Also, two or more of the fibers can be mixed and used.

上記誘電液体とは、電圧の印加により誘電性を示す液体
をいい、これには四塩化炭素、フッ素塩素置換炭化水
素、ｎ−ヘキサン又はシクロヘキサン等が挙げられる。
これらの誘電液体のうち四塩化炭素がとくに好ましく、
また、フッ素塩素置換炭化水素は取扱い上、安全性の面
で優れている。なお、該誘電液体中に繊維をなるべく均
一に分散させるには、通常界面活性剤特にノニオン系界
面活性剤を適当量添加することが望ましい。The above-mentioned dielectric liquid refers to a liquid that exhibits dielectric properties when a voltage is applied, and examples thereof include carbon tetrachloride, fluorine-substituted hydrocarbons, n-hexane, cyclohexane and the like.
Of these dielectric liquids, carbon tetrachloride is particularly preferred,
Further, the fluorine-chlorine-substituted hydrocarbon is excellent in safety in handling. In order to disperse the fibers in the dielectric liquid as uniformly as possible, it is usually desirable to add an appropriate amount of a surfactant, especially a nonionic surfactant.

続いては直立円筒状空間内の円周の法線方向に交互に配
された複数対の正負電極間に電界を醸成し、上記繊維懸
濁液を該電界内に注入して、誘電液体中で個々の繊維を
その一端が正電極に他端が負電極に指向した円周接線方
向に配向させ、同時に橋絡をともなってこれを沈降させ
ることである。Subsequently, an electric field is generated between a plurality of pairs of positive and negative electrodes that are alternately arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in the upright cylindrical space, and the above fiber suspension is injected into the electric field so as to Then, the individual fibers are oriented in a circumferential tangential direction in which one end is directed to the positive electrode and the other end is directed to the negative electrode, and at the same time, the fibers are settled with a bridge.

正負電極間に電圧を印加して醸成される上記電界の強さ
は、通常約0.5〜5kv/cmで、これが0.2kv/cm程度以下で
は繊維の静電配向が十分でなく、また10kv/cm程度以上
においては繊維懸濁液に撹乱が生じて繊維の配向精度が
劣化する。もっとも好ましい電界の強さは約１〜2kv/cm
である。なお、該電界の強さは、使用繊維の種類、誘電
液体の誘電特性及び製造される繊維集積体の厚さなどに
より、もっとも好ましい値が設定される。沈降した配向
繊維は順次直立円筒状空間の下部に集積されるが、これ
が所望厚さに達するまでの間上記繊維懸濁液の注入は続
けられ、容器の底壁からはほぼ等量の液の排出が行われ
る。この場合、液の排出には注意が肝要で、液に力学的
な乱れの生じない程度に流量を調節したうえで、自然流
出若しくは吸引排出させることが望ましい。上記流排出
は直立円筒状空間の下部に配設された濾過体を介して行
うことが、流量の調節ばかりでなく繊維の漏出や液の乱
れを防止するうえで効果的であり、該濾過体としてはた
とえば多孔質セラミックなどを使用することができる。The strength of the electric field created by applying a voltage between the positive and negative electrodes is usually about 0.5 to 5 kv / cm, and if this is about 0.2 kv / cm or less, the electrostatic orientation of the fiber is not sufficient, and 10 kv / cm. Above a certain level, the fiber suspension is disturbed and the fiber orientation accuracy deteriorates. The most preferable electric field strength is about 1-2 kv / cm
Is. The strength of the electric field is set to the most preferable value depending on the type of fiber used, the dielectric properties of the dielectric liquid, the thickness of the fiber assembly to be manufactured, and the like. The settled oriented fibers are successively accumulated in the lower part of the upright cylindrical space, and the injection of the fiber suspension is continued until it reaches a desired thickness, and an approximately equal amount of liquid is discharged from the bottom wall of the container. Ejection takes place. In this case, it is important to pay attention to the discharge of the liquid, and it is desirable to adjust the flow rate so that the liquid is not mechanically disturbed, and then spontaneously outflow or suction the liquid. It is effective not only to control the flow rate but also to prevent the leakage of fibers and the turbulence of the liquid, by performing the above-mentioned flow discharge through the filter body arranged in the lower part of the upright cylindrical space. For example, a porous ceramic or the like can be used.

なお、直立円筒状空間の下方の一部、すなわち少なくと
も沈降した繊維の集積高さに相当する部分の上記電極は
これを比較的疎らな針線状若しくは網状となし、該電極
による配向繊維の分断を解除することが望ましい。The part of the electrode below the upright cylindrical space, that is, at least the part corresponding to the accumulated height of the settled fibers, is formed into a relatively sparse needle-like or net-like shape, and the oriented fibers are separated by the electrode. It is desirable to cancel.

かくて集積を終え、残留誘電液体の排出除去をまって取
出された円筒状の繊維集積体は、円柱又は円筒状に形成
された機能部品の繊維強化金属用繊維成形体として供さ
れるものである。Thus, the cylindrical fibrous aggregate taken out after the completion of the accumulation and discharge and removal of the residual dielectric liquid is provided as the fibrous molded product for the fiber-reinforced metal of the functional part formed in the cylindrical or cylindrical shape. is there.

本発明方法の実施には、たとえば第１図及び第２図に模
式的に示すような装置が用いられる。図中１は外筒1aを
有する有底容器で、該外筒1aと同心的に配置された内筒
２がたとえば３個の脚2aにより有底容器１の内底面上に
支持されており、上記外筒1aと内筒２との間には繊維配
向域となる直立円筒状空間３が形成されている。直立円
筒状空間３内には該空間３を円周の法線方向に等分区画
するように配置され、かつ垂直方向に延在された箔状ま
たは網状の正電極４及び負電極５が、交互に複数対たと
えば各３個設けられている。該正及び負の電極４、５は
下方の一部、すなわち少なくとも沈降集積した繊維の集
積高さに相当する部分が比較的疎らな針線状６となされ
て、その下端は直立円筒状空間３の下部全域に配設され
た濾過体７に結着され、その上部は図示しない保持具に
より縦方向に牽張された状態で支持されている。そして
正及び負の電極４、５の表面には陰及び陽のイオン交換
（図示せず）が被装されるとともに、各正及び負の電極
４、５は該正負電極４、５間に所定の電界を醸成するた
めの図示しない電圧印加装置と接続されている。なお、
有底容器１の底部には吸引装置とも連接可能な導管８及
びコック９からなる排液手段が設けられている。For carrying out the method of the present invention, for example, an apparatus as schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used. In the figure, 1 is a bottomed container having an outer cylinder 1a, and an inner cylinder 2 concentrically arranged with the outer cylinder 1a is supported on the inner bottom surface of the bottomed container 1 by, for example, three legs 2a, An upright cylindrical space 3 serving as a fiber orientation region is formed between the outer cylinder 1a and the inner cylinder 2. In the upright cylindrical space 3, a foil-like or net-like positive electrode 4 and a negative electrode 5 which are arranged so as to equally divide the space 3 in the normal direction of the circumference and extend in the vertical direction, Plural pairs, for example, three pairs each are provided alternately. The positive and negative electrodes 4 and 5 are formed in a needle-like shape 6 in which a lower part, that is, at least a part corresponding to the accumulation height of the sedimented and accumulated fibers is relatively sparse, and the lower end thereof is an upright cylindrical space 3. The filter body 7 is bound to the entire lower portion, and the upper portion thereof is supported by a holder (not shown) in a state of being vertically stretched. The surfaces of the positive and negative electrodes 4 and 5 are coated with negative and positive ion exchanges (not shown), and the positive and negative electrodes 4 and 5 are provided between the positive and negative electrodes 4 and 5 in a predetermined manner. Is connected to a voltage applying device (not shown) for generating an electric field. In addition,
The bottom of the bottomed container 1 is provided with a draining means including a conduit 8 and a cock 9 that can be connected to a suction device.

［発明の効果］ 本発明の繊維集積体の製造方法は、直立円筒状空間内の
円周の法線方向に交互に配された複数対の正負電極間に
電界を醸成し、短繊維、ウイスカ等の非連続繊維を誘電
液体中に分散させた繊維懸濁液を上記電界内に注入して
該繊維を円周接線方向に静電配向させ、これに沈降集積
して筒状の繊維集積体を得るようにしたものであるか
ら、これを円柱又は円筒状に形成された機能部品の繊維
強化金属成形体として使用するとき、以下に列記する優
れた効果を奏する。[Effect of the Invention] In the method for producing a fiber assembly of the present invention, an electric field is generated between a plurality of pairs of positive and negative electrodes that are alternately arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in the upright cylindrical space to produce short fibers and whiskers. A fiber suspension obtained by injecting a fiber suspension in which discontinuous fibers such as the above are dispersed in a dielectric liquid into the electric field to electrostatically orient the fibers in the circumferential tangential direction, and then sedimenting and accumulating on the fibers to form a tubular fiber assembly. Therefore, when it is used as a fiber-reinforced metal molded body of a functional component formed in a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape, the following excellent effects are exhibited.

（１）繊維強化金属中の非連続繊維の多くが円周接線方
向に良好に配向しているため、同方向の応力も該繊維が
十分に担受して強化金属の強度が大幅に向上するととも
に、とくに繊維配向と膨張方向とが一致するため、強化
金属の熱膨張を有効に抑制することができる。(1) Since most of the discontinuous fibers in the fiber-reinforced metal are well oriented in the circumferential tangential direction, the fibers also sufficiently bear the stress in the same direction, and the strength of the strengthened metal is significantly improved. At the same time, since the fiber orientation and the expansion direction are the same, the thermal expansion of the reinforced metal can be effectively suppressed.

（２）円周方向に巻回させた連続繊維による強化金属と
の比較において、連続繊維の場合は熱サイクルに弱く、
繊維とマトリックス金属とはその熱膨張差により剥離
や、繊維の座屈を生じるが、円周接線方向に配向した非
連続繊維の場合は、上記両者の熱膨張による歪を繊維端
面付近のマトリックス金属が吸収するため、上記のよう
な欠陥は生起しない。(2) In comparison with a reinforced metal made of continuous fibers wound in the circumferential direction, continuous fibers are vulnerable to heat cycle,
Although the fibers and the matrix metal peel or buckle due to the difference in thermal expansion between the fibers, in the case of discontinuous fibers oriented in the circumferential tangential direction, the strain due to the thermal expansion of the above both causes the matrix metal near the fiber end faces. Are absorbed, the above defects do not occur.

（３）二次元又は３次元ランダムに配向した非連続繊維
による強化金属とは比較するまでもなく、上記応力方向
と繊維配向とが一致している円周接線方向配向繊維によ
るものが、強度、熱膨張のいずれの観点からも格段と優
れている。(3) Needless to compare with a reinforced metal composed of non-continuous fibers that are randomly orientated two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, those of circumferential tangentially oriented fibers whose stress direction and fiber orientation are the same are It is remarkably excellent from both viewpoints of thermal expansion.

さらに本発明の繊維集積体の製造装置は、直立円筒状空
間内の円周の法線方向に配置された電極を薄形の箔、網
又は針線状として、円周接線方向に配向した繊維の該電
極による離断を極力防止するようにしたものであるか
ら、繊維強化金属の強度向上に一層顕著な効果を発揮す
る。Further, the apparatus for manufacturing a fiber assembly of the present invention is a thin foil, a mesh or a needle wire, which is an electrode arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in an upright cylindrical space, and is made of fibers oriented in the circumferential tangential direction. Since the disconnection by the electrode is prevented as much as possible, it exerts a more remarkable effect in improving the strength of the fiber-reinforced metal.

［実施例］ 以下、実施例により本発明を説明する。[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to Examples.

（第１実施例） 第１図及び第２図に示す装置において、正負電極４、５
は幅15mmの箔状として交互に各３個等間隔に配置し、隣
接する電極間隔は中心部において55mmに設定した。(First Embodiment) In the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, positive and negative electrodes 4, 5 are provided.
Were alternately arranged as foils each having a width of 15 mm at equal intervals, and the interval between adjacent electrodes was set to 55 mm at the central portion.

そして、まず表面処理をしないアルミナ短繊維（平均繊
維径約３μｍ、平均繊維長10〜500μｍ）を、四塩化炭
素の誘電液体中にごく少量のノニオン系界面活性剤とと
もに添加し、これらを撹拌して該繊維を分散させた繊維
懸濁液とした。Then, first, alumina short fibers that are not surface-treated (average fiber diameter of about 3 μm, average fiber length of 10 to 500 μm) are added to a carbon tetrachloride dielectric liquid together with a very small amount of nonionic surfactant, and these are stirred. To obtain a fiber suspension in which the fibers are dispersed.

上記装置の各正負電極に約1kv/cmの電界を醸成して、直
立円筒状空間３の上方から全ての電極４、５間に繊維懸
濁液を注入した。An electric field of about 1 kv / cm was created in each of the positive and negative electrodes of the above device, and the fiber suspension was injected from above the upright cylindrical space 3 between all the electrodes 4 and 5.

注入された繊維は該誘電液体中で誘電分極して円周接線
方向に静電配向され、次いでその多くは橋絡を生じて質
量を増し、円周接線方向の配向状態を保って沈降する。The injected fibers are dielectrically polarized in the dielectric liquid and electrostatically oriented in the circumferential tangential direction, and most of them cause bridging to increase the mass and settle while maintaining the circumferential tangential orientation.

上記配向橋絡繊維10は、繊維懸濁液の注入と並行して行
われる導管８からの濾液の排出によって順次濾過体７上
に集積され、所定厚さの繊維集積体11としたのち、残存
液を排出除去して取出される。The oriented bridging fibers 10 are sequentially accumulated on the filter body 7 by discharging the filtrate from the conduit 8 in parallel with the injection of the fiber suspension, and after forming the fiber aggregate 11 having a predetermined thickness, the remaining fibers are left. The liquid is discharged and removed.

この繊維集積体は円筒形状をなし、繊維の多くが円周接
線方向に良好に配向しており、その内周部は外周部と比
べて幾分繊維体積率が大きい。しかし直立円筒状空間３
の外周域により高濃度の繊維懸濁液を供給することによ
り、全体的にほぼ同等の繊維体積率の集積体とすること
もできる。This fiber assembly has a cylindrical shape, and most of the fibers are well oriented in the circumferential tangential direction, and the inner peripheral portion thereof has a slightly higher fiber volume ratio than the outer peripheral portion. But upright cylindrical space 3
By supplying a high-concentration fiber suspension to the outer peripheral region, it is possible to obtain an aggregate having substantially the same fiber volume ratio as a whole.

なお、本実施例では、直立円筒状空間３の下部全域に濾
過体７を有するので、液の流排出にともなう乱流もほと
んど生ぜず、繊維の多くがきわめて良好に円周接線方向
に配向された繊維集積体を製造できる。In this embodiment, since the filter body 7 is provided in the entire lower part of the upright cylindrical space 3, almost no turbulent flow is generated due to the discharge of the liquid, and most of the fibers are extremely well oriented in the circumferential tangential direction. It is possible to manufacture a fiber assembly.

この繊維集積体は繊維の多くが円周接線方向に良好に配
向しているので、これを繊維強化金属用に供したとき、
該強化金属は円周法線方向の強度が高く、かつ熱膨脹が
小さいことから、例えば各種ピストン等に有効に利用で
きる。Since many of the fibers in this fiber assembly are well oriented in the circumferential tangential direction, when this is used for fiber-reinforced metal,
Since the strengthening metal has high strength in the circumferential normal direction and small thermal expansion, it can be effectively used for various pistons, for example.

（第２実施例） 本実施例は正負電極４、５を網状（＃４）として各２個
等間隔に配置し、誘電液体をフッ素塩素置換炭化水素、
繊維を炭化珪素ウイスカ（平均繊維径0.7μｍ、平均繊
維長50μｍ）とし、さらに電界の強さを1.5kv/cmとした
以外は第１実施例と同様の方法で繊維集積体を製造し
た。(Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, two positive and negative electrodes 4 and 5 are arranged at equal intervals as a net (# 4), and a dielectric liquid is a fluorine-chlorine substituted hydrocarbon,
A fiber assembly was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fibers were silicon carbide whiskers (average fiber diameter 0.7 μm, average fiber length 50 μm) and the electric field strength was 1.5 kv / cm.

本実施例においても繊維の多くが良好に円周接線方向に
配向した繊維集積体が得られた。Also in this example, a fiber aggregate in which most of the fibers were favorably oriented in the circumferential tangential direction was obtained.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

第１図は本発明装置の実施例を模式的に示した第２図の
Ｉ−Ｉ線断面図、第２図は同平面図である。 １……有底容器、1a……外筒、２……内筒、３……直立
円筒状空間、４……正電極、５……負電極、６……針線
状（電極）、７……濾過体、８……導管、９……コッ
ク、10……配向橋絡繊維、11……繊維集積体FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2 schematically showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same. 1 ... bottomed container, 1a ... outer cylinder, 2 ... inner cylinder, 3 ... upright cylindrical space, 4 ... positive electrode, 5 ... negative electrode, 6 ... needle wire (electrode), 7 ... ... Filter, 8 ... Conduit, 9 ... Cock, 10 ... Oriented bridging fiber, 11 ... Fiber assembly

Claims (5)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】直立円筒状空間内の円周の法線方向に交互
に配された複数対の正負電極間に電界を醸成し、短繊
維、ウイスカ等の非連続繊維を誘電液体中に分散させた
繊維懸濁液を上記電界内に注入して該繊維を円周接線方
向に静電配向させると同時に橋絡させ、同配向繊維を順
次沈降させて集積するようにした繊維集積体の製造方
法。1. An electric field is generated between a plurality of pairs of positive and negative electrodes that are alternately arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in an upright cylindrical space, and discontinuous fibers such as short fibers and whiskers are dispersed in a dielectric liquid. The fiber suspension obtained by injecting the fiber suspension into the above electric field to electrostatically orient the fibers in the circumferential tangential direction and simultaneously bridging the fibers so that the orientated fibers are sequentially sedimented and accumulated. Method. 【請求項２】同心的な内、外筒によってその間に直立円
筒状空間を形成した有底容器と、該直立円筒状空間内の
円周の法線方向に交互に複数対配置され、かつ垂直方向
に延在された箔状の正及び負の電極と、該直立円筒状空
間の下部に配設された濾過体と、上記有底容器の底壁に
設けられた排液手段と、上記各電極に接続された電圧印
加装置とからなる繊維集積体の製造装置。2. A bottomed container in which an upright cylindrical space is formed between concentric inner and outer cylinders, and a plurality of pairs are alternately arranged in the normal direction of the circumference in the upright cylindrical space and vertically arranged. Foil-shaped positive and negative electrodes extending in the direction, a filter body arranged in the lower part of the upright cylindrical space, a drainage means provided on the bottom wall of the bottomed container, and An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber assembly, which comprises a voltage applying device connected to an electrode. 【請求項３】上記直立円筒状空間は水平面内において上
記各電極により偶数等分されている特許請求の範囲第２
項記載の装置。3. The upright cylindrical space is evenly divided by the electrodes in a horizontal plane.
The device according to the item. 【請求項４】上記電極が網状に形成されている特許請求
の範囲第２項又は第３項記載の装置。4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electrodes are formed in a mesh shape. 【請求項５】上記電極の下方の一部が比較的疎らな針線
状に形成されている特許請求の範囲第２項、第３項又は
第４項記載の装置。5. The device according to claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein a part of the lower part of the electrode is formed in a relatively sparse needle wire shape.