Table of Contents
⚠ Disclaimer: This entry may be incomplete, out of date, or inaccurate. It is AI-maintained on a best-effort basis. Do not rely on it as a sole source — verify claims independently using the sources listed below.
Summary
Free Form Fibers (FFF) uses laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) to grow SiC fibers directly from gas, an alternative to the polymer-derived route used by established SiC fiber makers.
Key Facts
- Type: startup; Saratoga Springs, NY
- Process: ~20 micron laser spot heats a substrate in precursor gas; fiber grown by pulling at 30–300 microns/second; one tool can run up to 1,200 parallel beams
- Product: LP30-SC; 71:29 Si:C described as best for 1,500°C; strength 3–6 GPa (7–8 GPa for 77:23)
- Creep claim: survived 175 hours at 1,500°C and 700 MPa, versus Hi-Nicalon Type S fracturing after roughly 75–150 hours (company testing)
- Length demonstrated: up to 32 ft strands; typical arrays of 50 fibers at 2 ft
- Funding: not stated in the article read (SBIR listings appeared in search but were not fetched)
Claim Verification
Claim: LP30-SC outlasts Hi-Nicalon Type S in creep
Status: Unverified (company data)
Supporting sources:
Refuting / questioning sources:
- No independent replication found
Summary: Company-reported 2021 results.
Notes / Gaps
Current commercial status, volumes, and customers not found.
Key People
No individuals identified from the sources read. LinkedIn: not yet researched.
People — Last Reviewed: 2026-10-22
Sources
- Bulletin of the American Ceramic Society — LCVD — process, claims