Abstract: A process for forming a mat (14) of metal fibers (2) which can be used to hold ceramic material onto the surface of equipment to be protected from heat and corrosion, including the steps of mixing a plurality of metal fibers (2) with polybutene (8) and a finely-divided brazing material (10). This mixture is spread onto a support member (4) having an insulating coating (6) thereon to prevent the fibers from becoming brazed to the support member. The support member containing the fibers thereon is then subjected to a brazing temperature (12), brazing the fibers together to form a loose mat. The mat is then removed from the support member, and reduced (16) in thickness into a more dense mat of fibers. The dense mat (14) is then again subjected to a brazing temperature (18), to form a final product having unusual strength qualities.

Abstract: A process is disclosed with which a viscous liquid vehicle is applied as a coating to strands, or fibers, of stainless steel to hold finely-divided brazing material at the surfaces of the strands. A mat of the coated strands/fibers is spread in a layer over the surface of a substrate and brought to the brazing temperature to form the desired bond. At the brazing temperature forming the bond, the viscous vehicle is evaporated, leaving no residue which deteriorates the quality of the brazing bond of the strands/fibers to each other, and the brazing bonds between the strands/fibers and the substrate.