Abstract

MgO fibers have been prepared using two sol–gel routes. The first employed magnesium carboxylates and the second used magnesium alkoxides as precursors for the sol–gel chemistry. Polyacrylic acid combined with magnesium gave the best results among the carboxylic acids; the products were characterized by excellent rheological properties suitable for the drawing process. In the alkoxide route, gels were formed by the addition of diols or triols to a methanolic solution of Mg(OCH₃)₂. Ethylene glycol gave gels which were the most suitable for the extruding process. MgO fibers produced by the alkoxide route with diameter of ca. 50 µm have a perfectly cylindrical shape, a smooth surface and better mechanical properties than those of the same diameter produced by the carboxylate method.