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3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers & Textiles

When heat is the enemy, Nextel delivers. 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.
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3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers & Textiles

Lightweight. Flexible. Heat-Defying.

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

Engineered Where Heat Is the Enemy

Nextel ceramic oxide fibers combine extreme thermal stability with the flexibility of a textile — a rare and valuable combination for demanding aerospace environments. 

Extreme Heat Resistance

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.

Lightweight & Flexible

Low density and genuine textile flexibility allow fibers to be woven, braided, and shaped — without the brittleness of bulk ceramics.

Low Thermal Conductivity

Excellent insulating performance and thermal shock resistance protect surrounding structures from extreme temperature gradients.

Chemical Resistance

Good resistance to most chemicals, low porosity, and stable performance make Nextel reliable in harsh service conditions.

Dielectric Performance

Unique electrical and dielectric properties suit Nextel for radomes, antenna windows, and EMI-sensitive applications.

CMC Reinforcement

Continuous, strong filaments reinforce ceramic, metal, and polymer matrix composites — no wire inserts or carrier fibers required.

Advanced Ceramics

3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibers & Textiles

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

Nextel™ 312

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.

Composition~62% Al₂O₃ · 24% SiO₂ · 14% B₂O₃
Primary RoleInsulate / flame barrier
FormatsYarn · fabric · sleeving · tape
Firewall Blankets
Wiring Insulation
Flame Barriers
Heat Shields

Insulation

Nextel™ 440

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.

CompositionHigher-alumina aluminoborosilicate
Primary RoleHigh-temp insulation
FormatsYarn · fabric · sleeving
High-Temp Seals Thermal Curtains Insulation Blankets

Structural

Nextel™ 610

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.

Composition>99% α-alumina
Primary RoleStructural reinforcement
FormatsRoving · chopped fiber
Structural CMC Metal Matrix Composites Load-Bearing Parts

Structural

Nextel™ 720

Aluminosilica

An aluminosilica fiber engineered for the highest creep resistance in the Nextel family, making it the grade of choice for ceramic matrix composites in next-generation aero-engine and hot-structure components.
CompositionAlumina + mullite (aluminosilica)
Primary RoleHigh-creep-resistance CMC
FormatsRoving · chopped fiber
High-Creep CMC Aero Engine Components Hot Structures

Where It's Used

Aerospace Applications

From the firewall to the heat shield, Nextel protects structures and systems at the temperatures where other materials fail.

Aircraft Firewalls

Flame-barrier blankets and curtains meeting FAA fire-resistance criteria for engine and APU compartments.

Spacecraft Heat Shielding

Thermal protection materials meeting NASA standards for re-entry and high-temperature exposure.

High-Temp Wiring Insulation

Ceramic sleevings and braids protecting wiring and harnesses in extreme thermal zones.

Engine & Exhaust Insulation

Thermal curtains, seals, and gaskets for turbine, exhaust, and hot-section components.

Ceramic Matrix Composites

610 and 720 reinforcement for load-bearing, creep-resistant CMC structures.

Radomes & Antenna Windows

Dielectric performance suited to EMI-sensitive and RF-transparent structures.

Why Nextel™

Main Advantages

A continuous ceramic oxide fiber that behaves like a textile — combining survivability, processability, and structural performance.

Thermal Survivability

  • Continuous-use capability up to 2,372°F (1,300°C)
  • Retains ~75% of properties above 1,000°C working temperature
  • Excellent thermal shock resistance and low porosity
  • Low thermal conductivity for effective insulation

Process Friendly

  • Flexible enough to weave, braid, and sew like a textile
  • Continuous filaments — no wire inserts or carrier fibers needed
  • Available as yarn, fabric, sleeving, roving, and chopped fiber
  • Integrates into ceramic, metal, and polymer matrix composites

Proven Performance

  • Meets FAA criteria for aircraft firewall applications
  • Meets NASA standards for spacecraft heat shielding
  • Mullite-based chemistry resists crystalline-silica conversion
  • Flight-proven across demanding aerospace programs

Need Materials? Let’s Talk.

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