1. Costing Based on Some Late 1980s Estimates
2. Chemical Vapor deposition and other techniques can make short ultra-strong and stiff fibers called whiskers. These are filamentary single crystals having diametersintherange1-10 mmandlength-to-diameterratiosupto10,000.With the correct deposition techniques, whiskers can have strengths approaching the theoretical maximum of one tenth of the Young's modulus. This high level of strength results from the perfection of the crystal structure and freedom from cracklike flaws. Whiskers can be made from various materials, including SiC, Al2O3, C, and B4C.