INORGANIC FIBERS FOR FIBER BUNDLES, PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF THE INORGANIC FIBERS, INORGANIC FIBER BUNDLES FOR COMPOSITE MATERIAL PRODUCED USING THE INORGANIC FIBERS, AND CERAMIC-BASED COMPOSITE MATERIAL REINFORCED BY THE FIBER BUNDLES

摘要

Disclosed are: inorganic fibers for fiber bundles, which do not undergo the deterioration in fiber strength caused by the damage of the fibers during the production of inorganic fiber bundles for a composite material, and in which the contact between fibers in the fiber bundles can be avoided during the production of the composite material and an interface layer with a matrix can be formed over the entire surface of each of the fibers; a process for producing the inorganic fibers; and a ceramic-based composite material comprising inorganic fiber bundles for a composite material which comprises the inorganic fibers and serves as reinforcing fibers and a ceramic material which serves as a matrix, wherein the composite material has satisfactory strength and fracture energy and can exhibit excellent durability when a stress is applied under a high-temperature and oxidative atmosphere. Specifically disclosed are: inorganic fibers for fiber bundles, which can constitute inorganic fiber bundles for a composite material, and which is characterized by snaking in the lengthwise direction at a snaking pitch of 3 to 40 mm and a snaking width of 0.1 to 5 mm; a process for producing the inorganic fibers; and others.