US Patent 7459110 Porous fiber-ceramic composite

Both ceramic and intermetallic materials as a rule have a very small elongation at break of distinctly less than 0.3% and therefore a break behaviour with low damage tolerance. In order to increase the damage tolerance, it is important to increase the elongation at break to at least 0.3% or more. This can be achieved by introducing, for example, fibres consisting of carbon or ceramic or metal fibres into the matrix. It is important in this respect for the distribution of the fibres in the matrix to be homogeneous and/or defined. It is of advantage and therefore as a rule desirable for the fibres for reinforcing a material or component to be oriented in a defined direction which is adapted to the main stress.