Effective separation technique for small diameter whiskers.

Description of a technique for separating small-diameter whiskers from the as-grown matt by gently agitating the whisker matts in a solution of deionized or distilled water for six to eight hours. High-strength Al2O3 whiskers were effectively separated by this technique, comprising an average 48% of the original weight of the whisker matt. According to estimation, more than 90% of separated whiskers had diameters between 0.7 and 2.0 microns.