Advanced Ceramics
Coast-Line supplies the full 3M™ Nextel™ portfolio of continuous ceramic oxide fibers, yarns, woven fabrics, sleevings, rovings, and chopped fibers. Lightweight and flexible, yet capable of withstanding continuous temperatures up to 2,372°F (1,300°C), Nextel is the material of choice when conventional alternatives simply won’t survive — from aircraft firewalls and engine insulation to spacecraft heat shielding and ceramic matrix composite reinforcement.
Material Properties
Nextel ceramic oxide fibers combine extreme thermal stability with the flexibility of a textile — a rare and valuable combination for demanding aerospace environments.
Continuous-use capability up to 2,372°F (1,300°C), with fibers retaining roughly 75% of their properties above a 1,000°C working temperature.
Low density and genuine textile flexibility allow fibers to be woven, braided, and shaped — without the brittleness of bulk ceramics.
Excellent insulating performance and thermal shock resistance protect surrounding structures from extreme temperature gradients.
Good resistance to most chemicals, low porosity, and stable performance make Nextel reliable in harsh service conditions.
Unique electrical and dielectric properties suit Nextel for radomes, antenna windows, and EMI-sensitive applications.
Continuous, strong filaments reinforce ceramic, metal, and polymer matrix composites — no wire inserts or carrier fibers required.
Advanced Ceramics
When heat is the enemy, Nextel delivers. 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers and Textiles are continuous-filament ceramic oxide materials engineered to meet the most demanding thermal, mechanical, and electrical requirements in aerospace — including FAA criteria for aircraft firewalls and NASA standards for spacecraft heat shielding. Lightweight and flexible, yet capable of withstanding continuous temperatures up to 2,372°F (1,300°C), Nextel is the material of choice when conventional alternatives simply won’t survive.
| Grade | Fiber Chemistry | Primary Use | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nextel™ 312 | Aluminoborosilicate | Firewall blankets, wiring insulation, flame barriers, heat shields | Insulation |
| Nextel™ 440 | Aluminoborosilicate | High-temp seals, thermal curtains, insulation blankets | Insulation |
| Nextel™ 610 | Alumina | Structural CMC reinforcement, load-bearing composites | Structural |
| Nextel™ 720 | Aluminosilica | High-creep-resistance CMCs, next-gen aero engine components | Structural |
Insulation
Aluminoborosilicate
The original Nextel grade and the workhorse for insulation and flame-barrier applications. Made from continuous alumina-boria-silica fibers, with the boria content lowering mullite-formation temperature for excellent textile processability.
Insulation
Aluminoborosilicate
A higher-alumina aluminoborosilicate offering improved high-temperature stability over 312. Its crystalline-plus-glassy microstructure makes it well suited to high-temp seals, thermal curtains, and demanding insulation blankets.
Structural
Alumina (α-Al₂O₃)
A high-purity alumina fiber noted for outstanding single-filament tensile strength. Designed for structural duty as reinforcement in ceramic and metal matrix composites where load-bearing performance at temperature is critical.
Structural
Aluminosilica
Where It's Used
Flame-barrier blankets and curtains meeting FAA fire-resistance criteria for engine and APU compartments.
Thermal protection materials meeting NASA standards for re-entry and high-temperature exposure.
Ceramic sleevings and braids protecting wiring and harnesses in extreme thermal zones.
Thermal curtains, seals, and gaskets for turbine, exhaust, and hot-section components.
610 and 720 reinforcement for load-bearing, creep-resistant CMC structures.
Dielectric performance suited to EMI-sensitive and RF-transparent structures.
Why Nextel™
A continuous ceramic oxide fiber that behaves like a textile — combining survivability, processability, and structural performance.
Whether you’re sourcing a single material or stocking up for an entire program, our team is ready to help. We respond fast, and ship even faster