Abstract: An aluminum nitride ceramic having desired properties suitable for electronic packaging applications can be prepared from a novel aluminum nitride powder/sintering aid mixture. The sintering aid comprises a glassy component formed from alumina, calcia and boria, and a non-vitreous component comprising an element or compound of a metal of Group IIa, IIIa, or the lanthanides, preferably crystalline oxides, reactible with the crystallized glass component and the alumina from the AlN grains. Alternatively, the sintering aid comprises a multi-component glass composition capable of forming the above components upon melting and thereafter crystallizing upon reaction.

Abstract: An inorganic ceramic paper includes inorganic ceramic fibers and an inorganic binder system of fibers consisting essentially of silica. The binder system initially includes organic materials as well as the silica fibers, however, the organic materials are burned out of the ceramic paper. The silica fibers remain and flow so as to maintain the structure and integrity of the ceramic paper and hold the ceramic fibers together. Such a ceramic paper is useful in a variety of applications and is particularly useful as a filter in the inflator unit of an automotive airbag.

Abstract: Silicon carbide sintered bodies having controlled porosity in the range of about 2 to 12 vol %. in which the pores are generally spherical and about 50 to 500 microns in diameter, are prepared from raw batches containing a polymer fugitive. Sintered bodies in the form of mechanical seal members exhibit lower power consumption at low PV and, in addition, lower wear rates at high PV in comparison to commercially available silicon carbide seal members.

Abstract: A flexible, resilient, intumescent mat material comprising fiber, binder, and an intumescent agent which includes a mixture of unexpanded vermiculite and expandable graphite undergoes intumescence at a lower temperature, with an enhanced degree of expansion and with a lesser degree of contraction upon prolonged heating. The intumescent mat can be employed in catalytic converters for motor vehicles and as a firestop material.

Abstract: A method for forming a polycrystalline ceramic fiber which comprises blending about 5 to about 25 weight percent polymer, about 70 to about 95 weight percent silicon carbide powder and greater than 1 weight percent sintering aid; forming a fiber from the blend; and sintering the formed fiber. Preferably, the sintering aid is boron carbide. In addition, the fiber is preferably pre-sintered at a first temperature of from about 1700.degree. C. to 2300.degree. C. and then subsequently sintered at a second temperature of approximately 2000.degree. C. to about 2300.degree. C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a coated reinforcement material comprising a SiC-based reinforcement having a rare earth boride coating preferably of the general formula:R.sub.x B.sub.1-xwhereinR is selected from the group consisting of Y, Sc, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho,Er and combinations thereof; andx is from about 0.05 to about 0.66.The invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite comprising a SiC-based reinforcement material having a coating comprising a rare earth boride, said coated reinforcement material disposed in a metal matrix material.

Abstract: A microelectronics substrate assembly comprising: an advanced ceramics substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first metallized distribution plane on said top surface and a second metallized distribution plane on said bottom surface; an electrical connection between said first and second distribution planes; at least one first metallized pad on said top surface electrically isolated from said first distribution plane and at least one metallized pad on said bottom surface, electrically isolated from said second distribution plane, wherein said distribution planes and said metallized pads are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane between and parallel to said top and said bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A microelectronic package comprising a ceramic substrate (22) having a first surface bonded to a metal heat sink (25) and a second surface (30) opposite said first surface and having at least one metallized island (32) bonded to a lead frame (26), wherein the island has a uniform pullback (35) of metallization from the edge (36) of the substrate.

Abstract: A sintered silicon carbide ceramic body preferably produced from a uniform mixture comprising from about 82 percent to about 99.4 percent by weight silicon carbide, from about 0.5 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a nitrogen containing aluminum compound and from about 0.1 to about 8 percent of a rare earth oxide, both reacted with oxygen, wherein said sintered ceramic body has a density greater than 90% percent of theoretical and a fracture toughness, as measured by a single edge notched beam test, of more than 7 MPam.sup.1/2 and method of making the same.

Abstract: The invention provides silicon carbide fiber-reinforced, reaction-bonded silicon carbide composites suitable for high temperature applications in which the silicon carbide fiber is coated with AlN, BN or TiB.sub.2. The composites offer superior fracture toughness which is ascribed to fiber pullout. The invention also includes a process for making the composites.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes a filter that prevents ingestion of foreign material such as dross from molten metal within which the pump is immersed. The filter is a large structure that is secured to the base of the pump surrounding the pump's inlet. The filter forms a cavity adjacent the pump's inlet. The ratio of the surface area of the filter to the inlet area of the pump is very large due in part to a corrugated end wall included as part of the filter. The filter has a low porosity while maintaining a high flow rate for the pump.

Abstract: A high strength ceramic fiber board having a green strength of at least 300 psi and a green density of less than about 22 lb/ft.sup.3 ; and having a composition comprising 65-97.5% wt. ceramic fiber, 1-10% wt. PVA fiber, 0.5-10% wt. cationic starch, 0-25% wt. clay filler and 1.0-15% wt. colloidal silica.

Abstract: A glassy coated sintered non-oxide ceramic fiber produced by an in situ oxidation chemical reaction. A process to produce a protective glassy coating on ceramic fibers by heating the non-oxide ceramic fibers in the presence of boron and atmosphere containing oxygen.

Abstract: A refractory tile adapted for protective fixation to the heat exchanger in an incinerator or furnace regardless of orientation. The tile includes a transverse groove which carries a shouldered slot to be guided by and mate securely with an anchor attached to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Ceramic tubes are manufactured from a mixture that includes ceramic powder. The mixture is extruded through a die to form a tube. The tube is passed through an open-ended dryer, calciner, transition zone, sintering furnace, and cooler. Thereafter, the tube is cut to the desired length (which may be very long). The quality of the tube is enhanced by applying a vacuum to the mixture prior to extrusion. For tubes made of non-oxide ceramics, an inert atmosphere is maintained both inside and outside the tube in all sections of the equipment that operate above 200.degree. C. A controlled tension is applied to the tube by means of first pinch rolls disposed downstream of the dryer and second pinch rolls disposed downstream of the cooler.

Abstract: A fire barrier material for use in building construction comprising a sandwich structure have a first and second outer layers comprising a high temperature resistant material having corrugations therein and an intermediate layer comprising a flame retardant fibrous material wherein the corrugation are positioned in the outer layers in a manner which enables the barrier material to be rolled into a bundle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugations.

Abstract: A process for producing a sintered AlN ceramic body by mixing an organic solution comprising a hydrocarbon solvent and an organometallic compound with AlN powder to produce a slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry to form a mixture of organometallic compound and AlN, forming the mixture into a shape, and heating the shape in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to sintering temperature to obtain densification.

Abstract: A process for forming a transparent silicon carbide film on substrates by magnetron sputtering a silicon carbide target in a partial vacuum having a partial pressure of hydrogen and argon.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller disposed at the end of an elongate drive shaft. The drive shaft is disposed within an elongate, hollow post. The impeller and the end of the post are adapted to be immersed in molten metal. An inert gas is conveyed through the gap between the outer surface of the drive shaft and the inner surface of the post, which gas is discharged into the molten metal in the vicinity of the impeller. Because the drive shaft is insulated from the molten metal, it can be made of a durable material such as steel; because the post is stationary relative to the molten metal, the metal is stirred only by the impeller, and not by the drive shaft. The invention includes other features such as a quick disconnect capability and a radial adjustment capability.

Abstract: A porous ceramic body of high structural strength and integrity is disclosed, along with the method of fabricating such, whereby a curable resin and a sinterable ceramic are mixed and then admixed to removable pore formers, then consolidated into a green body, the pore formers removed, and sintered into the porous ceramic body.