Study On Zirconia Cloth

The methods for preparing ZrO2 fibers, ZrO2 fibrous mats,rigid ZrO2 fibrous products,fibrous papers and cloths were introduced in this paper. The mainproperties,application scopes and state-of-the art were also introduced. According to the present status and trend,ZrO2 fibrous cloths are considered as the optimal separator materials for the alkaline batteries with high capacity,especially for nickel -hydrogen batteries.ZrO2 fibrous cloths are characterized by their high melting point (2600),high-temperature resistance(2200),oxidation-corrosion resistance,quick absorbing alkaline,high alkaline absorption,and low heat-conductivity and resistivity,etc.ZrOi fibrous cloths that can be used as the nickel-hydrogen battery separators were first developed by using precursor process at home. The microstructures of precursor fibers, fibrous cloths,the composition of zirconia solution, the technological parameters of impregnation, and the modes of drying and firing were investigated. The results show that the viscous fibrous cloths are suitable to prepare the precursor of zirconia cloths. The saturated solution is satisfied for the concentration of the zirconia solution. The parameters of impregnation are as follows:pH is about 3,the range of temperature is from 20 to 45 ,and the time is about 2 to 6 hours. After the necessary treatments, zirconia cloths had the optimal strength when the diameters of zirconia fibers were controlled in 4um to 7um, and the sizes of zirconia grains were in 50nm to 100nm. The affec-ting factors were discussed and the liner regression analysis of the cloths was made, from which they show that the diameters and grain sizes have the significant influences on zirconia cloths.The obtained zirconia cloths have been accepted for use in nickel-hydrogen batteries by practical use. The results show that the capacity and rate of alka -line absorption is respectively 10 percent more than that of American products, and twice as fast as that of them. The resista-nce is as good as that of them, and the electric property is better than that of them,but the tensile strength is not so good as that of them.