Abstract: The invention relates to a sintered material which is based on transition metal diborides and comprises a) as main phase, 90-99% by weight of a fine-grained transition metal diboride or transition metal diboride mixed crystal comprising at least two transition metal diborides or mixtures of such diboride mixed crystals or mixtures of such diboride mixed crystals with one or more transition metal diborides, where the transition metals are selected from sub-groups IV to VI of the Periodic Table, b) as second phase, 1-5% by weight of particulate boron carbide and/or silicon carbide and c) optionally as third phase, up to 5% by weight of a non-continuous, oxygen-containing grain boundary phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sintered wear-resistant material which is based on transition metal diborides and comprises a) as main phase, 80-98.8% by weight of a fine-grained transition metal diboride or transition metal diboride mixed crystal comprising at least two transition metal diborides or mixtures of such diboride mixed crystals or mixtures of such diboride mixed crystals with one or more transition metal diborides, where the transition metals are selected from sub-groups IV to VI of the Periodic Table, b) as second phase, 0.2 to 5% by weight of a continuous, oxygen-containing grain boundary phase and c) as third phase, 1-15% by weight of particulate boron carbide and/or silicon carbide.

Abstract: Shaped body based on polycrystalline SiC and having a density of greater than 90% of its theoretical density and an adherent graphite layer on its surface, wherein the graphite layer is crystalline, has a thickness of 0.1-100 &mgr;m and has been produced by thermal surface decomposition of the SiC after it has been sintered to closed porosity.

Abstract: Shaped body based on polycrystalline SiC and having a density of greater than 90% of its theoretical density and graphite layer on its surface, wherein the graphite layer is crystalline, has a thickness of 0.1-100 &mgr;m and has been produced by thermal surface decomposition of the SiC after it has been sintered to closed porosity.

Abstract: A bearing material of silicon carbide particularly useful for application in the hot water field is provided having improved corrosion resistance under increased thermal stresses wherein the bearing material is characterized by a predominantly course-grained silicon carbide matrix of pressureless sintered silicon carbide having a biamodal grain sized distribution wherein the biomodal grain size distribution is formed by from 50 to 90% by volume of prismatic, tabular, silicon carbide crystallites having a length of from 100 to 1500 .mu.m and from 10 to 50% by volume of prismatic tabular silicon carbide crystallites having a length of from 5 to <100 .mu.m.

Abstract: A composite material includes boron carbide and titanium diboride in a volume ratio B.sub.4 C/TiB.sub.2 of from 90:10 to 10:90 parts and a proportion of elemental carbon greater than 2% by weight up to a maximum of 50% by weight, based on the boron carbide content. The composite material has a density greater than 92% TD, a hardness HK 0.1 greater than 2300, a four-point flexural strength greater than 400 MPa and a fracture toughness greater than 3.5 MPa.sqroot.m. The composite material is suitable for producing wear-resistant components or cutting tools.

Abstract: A process for producing shaped bodies of boron carbide, metal diboride and carbon, which includes(a) homogeneously mixing pulverulent boron carbide with at least one pulverulent monocarbide of an element Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb and Ta in an amount corresponding to from 2% to 6% by weight of free carbon, based on the total weight of the boron carbide;(b) shaping this mixture into green bodies of a density of at least 50% TD;(c) heating the preformed body thus obtained to from about 1250.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C. with exclusion of oxygen in a sintering furnace and maintaining it within this temperature range for from 10 to 120 minutes; and(d) subsequently sintering the preformed body by heating to from 2100.degree. C. to 2250.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing green compacts by the slip-casting process, injection-molding process or extrusion process from sinterable mixtures based on a starting powder mixture containing silicon nitride, and, if appropriate, aluminum nitride and/or alumina and other oxides as sinter aids. The dispersant and binder used is a magnesium chloride hydrate as a mixture with magnesium oxide and water and, after molding, the mixtures are hardened at temperatures from 30.degree. to 60.degree. C. In addition, ceramic fibers, such as silicon carbide, can also be processed as fillers. The green compacts thus produced are sufficiently stable, so that they can be worked mechanically.

Abstract: Polycrystalline sintered bodies are provided consisting of at least 66% by weight of a crystalline Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 phase, of which at least 90% by weight is in the beta-modification, and of up to 34% by weight of secondary intergranular grain boundary phases of oxide, carbide and/or nitride. At least 25% by weight of the secondary grain boundary phases consists of a quasi-ternary crystalline compound in the E.sub.1 --E.sub.2 --E.sub.3 triangle of the Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3 --La.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ternary system called "Gala", the "Gala" compound being prepared from gallium oxide, lanthanum oxide and aluminum oxide prior to producing the sintered bodies.The polycrystalline sintered bodies are produced by sintering with and without application of pressure from silicon nitride powders having a portion of impurities not exceeding 4.0% by weight, sintering additives of oxides and optionally other refractory admixtures of carbides and/or nitrides.