Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles comprising a ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass matrix and a fiber reinforcement phase disposed within the matrix consisting of amorphous or crystalline inorganic fibers, wherein there is provided, on or in close proximity to the surfaces of the inorganic fibers, a layer of sheet silicate crystals constituting a sheet silicate interface between the inorganic fibers and the ceramic, glass, or glass-ceramic matrix. Optionally, the composition of the matrix may be the same as the sheet silicate interface so that the matrix provides the sheet silicate layer.

Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles comprising a ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass matrix and a fiber reinforcement phase disposed within the matrix consisting of amorphous or cyrstalline inorganic fibers, wherein there is provided, on or in close proximity to the surfaces of the inorganic fibers, a layer of sheet silicate crystals constituting a sheet silicate interface between the inorganic fibers and the ceramic, glass, or glass-ceramic matrix. Optionally, the composition of the matrix may be the same as the sheet silicate interface so that the matrix provides the sheet silicate layer.

Abstract: There are disclosed synthetic mica papers, substrates produced by laminating such papers, and use of the substrates in printed circuit assemblies. The mica paper is composed primarily of overlapping, ion-exchanged platelets of a synthetic, lithium and/or sodium, water-swelling mica, and is impregnated with an organic resin.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed which is composed essentially of an ion-exchanged, synthetic, crystalline mica and an organic resin, the mica constituting at least about 50% by weight of the composite, and the mechanical properties of the composite being superior to those of the mica pressed alone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of an organic-inorganic composite body demonstrating hydrophobic behavior containing crystals of an organic polycation-exchanged lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica, the organic polycation being selected from the group of aminosilanes and organic chrome complexes.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of composite articles composed of a substrate consisting of a machinable glass-ceramic and an integral, electrically-conductive surface layer consisting of metallic copper and/or silver. The inventive articles are prepared by heat treating precursor glass bodies containing copper and/or silver ions to grow fluormica crystals therein, thereby producing glass-ceramics, and to cause migration of the copper and/or silver ions to the surface thereof which are reduced to metallic copper and/or silver via heat treating in a reducing atmosphere. Where desired, holes can be bored, drilled, or punched into the glass-ceramic prior to exposure to the reducing heat treatment such that, upon heat treatment in a reducing environment, the sides of the holes will become metal plated.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed toward the production of an alkali metal-free glass-ceramic body wherein the predominant, and preferably sole, crystal phase is a calcium fluorophlogopite. The body is strong, chemically durable, exhibits excellent electrical properties, and has a base composition consisting essentially, expressed in weight percent on the oxide basis, of aboutCaO: 5-20MgO: 15-25Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 : 5-20SiO.sub.2 : 35-60F: 5-15which is nucleated with 0.5-3.5% BaO+SrO, consisting of 0-3.5% BaO and 0-2.5% SrO, or, if BaO and/or SrO are absent, with 8-15% TiO.sub.2. The preferred products exhibit a white, translucent appearance and excellent resistance to staining.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of crystal-containing gels and papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom. The process for making the gels comprises three general steps: first, a fully or predominantly crystalline body is formed containing crystals consisting essentially of a lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica selected from the group of fluorhectorite, hydroxyl hectorite, boron fluorphlogopite, hydroxyl boron phlogopite, and solid solutions among those and between those and other structures selected from the group of talc, fluortalc, polylithionite, fluorpolylithionite, phlogopite, and fluorphlogopite; second, that body is contacted with a polar liquid, desirably water, to cause swelling and disintegration of the body accompanied with the formation of a gel; and, third, the solid:liquid ratio of the gel is adjusted to a desired value depending upon the application therefor.

Abstract: Polychromatic glass articles and methods of producing such articles are disclosed in which the glass is activated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and contains as a sensitizing agent an oxide of copper, samarium, terbium, praeseodymium, or europium.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of crystal-containing gels and papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom. The process for making the gels comprises three general steps: first, a fully or predominantly crystalline body is formed containing crystals consisting essentially of a lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica selected from the group of fluorhectorite, hydroxyl hectorite, boron fluorphlogopite, hydroxyl boron phlogopite, and solid solutions among those and between those and other structurally-compatible species selected from the group of talc, fluortalc, polylithionite, fluorpolylithionite, phlogopite, and fluorphlogopite; second, that body is contacted with a polar liquid, desirably water, to cause swelling and disintegration of the body accompanied with the formation of a gel; and, third, the solid:liquid ratio of the gel is adjusted to a desired value depending upon the application therefor.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of crystal-containing gels and papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom. The process for making the gels comprises three general steps: first, a fully or predominantly crystalline body is formed containing crystals consisting essentially of a lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica selected from the group of fluorhectorite, hydroxyl hectorite, boron fluorphlogopite, hydroxyl boron phlogopite, and solid solutions among those and between those and other structurally-compatible species selected from the group of talc, fluortalc, polylithionite, fluorpolylithionite, phlogopite and fluorphlogopite; second, that body is contacted with a polar liquid, desirably water, to cause swelling and disintegration of the body accompanied with the formation of a gel; and, third, the solid:liquid ratio of the gel is adjusted to a desired value depending upon the application therefor.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the production of chemically strengthened polychromatic glasses. In the preferred embodiment, the glasses are suitable for ophthalmic applications, i.e., the glasses have a refractive index of at least 1.523 and, after chemical strengthening, will exhibit a surface compression layer having a depth of at least 0.002", a maximum central tension of at least 0.7 kg/mm.sup.2, and a modulus of rupture of at least approximately 30,000 psi such as to pass the FDA strength requirements for glass ophthalmic lenses. For this preferred embodiment, the chemical strengthening reaction will be conducted for a period not exceeding about 24 hours and the glasses will have compositions consisting essentially, by weight on the oxide basis as calculated from the batch of about 11-18% Na.sub.2 O, 60-70% SiO.sub.2, 3-12% ZrO.sub.2, 0-18% ZnO and/or 0-14% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the total ZnO+Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 not exceeding about 20%, 0-5% BaO, 0.005-0.3% Ag, 0.01-0.2% CeO.sub.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to the production of glass-ceramic articles which exhibit a hydrophobic character and an inherent tactile quality of being slippery or oily to the touch. Such articles are dervived from compositions within the MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 --F quaternary and contain the humite mineral norbergite (Mg.sub.2 SiO.sub.4. MgF.sub.2) as a major crystal phase. The intrinsic hydrophobic character and lubricity of the inventive compositions recommend their utility in such applications as (1) high temperature bearing or other low friction mechanical devices, an (2) non-sticking and easily-cleaned culinary ware.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the production of opal glasses through the solid state vitrification of certain bentonite-type clays. The process involves five general steps: (1) the clay is ion exchanged at low temperatures in aqueous solutions; (2) the ion exchanged clay is thoroughly washed with water; (3) the ion exchanged clay is preferably heated at moderate temperatures to expedite removal of the water; (4) the dehydrated clay is shaped into a body of a desired configuration; and (5) the shaped body is fired to vitrification utilizing a defined sintering schedule. The resulting body is a white or off-white opal glass containing minor amounts of crystal phases. Uniformly colored glasses can be prepared employing such conventional glass coloring agents as chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel, vanadium, etc. The process possesses the practical advantages of inexpensive batch materials, the elimination of the need for glass melting facilities, and low energy consumption in forming glass articles.