Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a material having a controlled microstructure, the method including providing particles of a ceramic mineral material, the particles having a metal oxide dopant therein. The particles of the ceramic mineral material are consolidated into larger aggregates of a size relevant to the desired application using standard industrial mixing and pelletizing technology. The aggregates are heated under reducing conditions so that at least part of the dopant is reduced to form a transient, metastable liquid phase among the particles. The liquid phase includes at least part of the reduced dopant and promotes sintering of the particles and forms islands of reduced metal within the material and on the surface of the aggregates.

Abstract: A cementitious composite material exhibiting an exceptional combination of high tensile, flexural and compressive strengths as compared with generally accepted values for Class H cements is produced from a mixture having a low pH and containing a tobermorite-like gel.

Abstract: A cementitious composite material exhibiting a unique combination of high strength, vacuum integrity and thermal properties. Objects made of the material may be cast from mixtures in which a major constituent is a filler which consists of stainless steel particles of particular shapes and sizes. The cast objects are characterized by the absence of a continuous network of interconnected pores and by the presence of a tobermorite phase in the material.