Abstract: An approach is provided for a method to manufacture a crystalline silicon ingot. The method comprises providing a mold formed for melting and cooling a silicon feedstock by using a directional solidification process, disposing a barrier layer inside the mold, disposing one or more silicon crystal seeds on the barrier layer, loading the silicon feedstock on the silicon crystal seeds, heating the mold to obtain a silicon melt, and cooling the mold by the directional solidification process to solidify the silicon melt into a silicon ingot. The mold is heated until the silicon feedstock is fully melted and the silicon crystal seeds are at least partially melted.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a sputter target structure for depositing semiconducting chalcogenide films is described. The sputter target includes a target body having a target body composition that comprises Cu1-x(Se1-y-zSyTez)x, wherein the value of x is greater than or equal to approximately 0.5, the value of y is between approximately 0 and approximately 1, the value of z is between approximately 0 and approximately 1, and the total amount of Se, S, and Te phases in the target body composition comprise less than 50 volume percent of the target body composition.

Abstract: Process for the production of a polymeric article by: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at lower compaction temperatures than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus includes a crucible arranged on a support mechanism, and at least two plates formed below the support mechanism and movable in a coordinated manner to form a symmetrical aperture centered with respect to an ingot being formed in the crucible, and a drive mechanism for driving the plates with one degree of freedom. The plates open in a plurality of discrete positions to form an aperture that is load centered with respect to the ingot being formed, in order to promote directional solidification of the ingot being formed, and thus achieve a desired convex profile of the ingot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a feedstock for injection moulding or for extrusion, consisting of inorganic powders combined with an organic, particularly polymeric binder. This method is characterized in that the constituent particles of the inorganic powders are subjected to a granulation step, prior to their mixing with the polymeric binder.

Abstract: Silicon nitride coated crucibles for holding melted semiconductor material and for use in preparing multicrystalline silicon ingots by a directional solidification process; methods for coating crucibles; methods for preparing silicon ingots and wafers; compositions for coating crucibles and silicon ingots and wafers with a low oxygen content.

Abstract: To reduce the heat input to the bottom of the crucible and to control heat extraction independently of heat input, a shield can be raised between a heating element and a crucible at a controlled speed as the crystal grows. Other steps could include moving the crucible, but this process can avoid having to move the crucible. A temperature gradient is produced by shielding only a portion of the heating element; for example, the bottom portion of a cylindrical element can be shielded to cause heat transfer to be less in the bottom of the crucible than at the top, thereby causing a stabilizing temperature gradient in the crucible.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising titanium diboride and boron nitride that are used to line electrolytic aluminum production cells are disclosed. The composite materials may be used to line the side walls and/or bottom wall of the cell. The ratio of titanium diboride to boron nitride may be controlled in order to provide the desired level of electrical conductivity depending upon the particular region of the cell in which the liner plate is installed. The titanium diboride/boron nitride composite materials exhibit desirable aluminum wetting behavior, and are capable of withstanding exposure to molten cryolite, molten aluminum and oxygen at elevated temperatures during operation of the electrolytic aluminum production cells.

Abstract: An application method of silicon powder and raw material silicon brick with good filling property in a mono-crystal or a multi-crystal furnace involves pressing silicon powder having a particle size of 0.1 to 100 micrometers into silicon brick having weighing 0.2 to 2,000,000 grams by cold or hot isostatic pressing, then charging it into a mono-crystal or multi-crystal furnace. The pressure range of cold isostatic pressing is 10 MPa to 800 MPa. The pressure range of hot isostatic pressing is 10 Mpa to 800 Mpa. The temperature range for the method is 30° C. to 1,400° C.; The raw material silicon brick is used as the original raw material of silicon crystal growth in the production of solar cells or semiconductor.

Abstract: A method of making a cubic halide scintillator material includes pressing a powder mixture of cubic halide and at least one activator under conditions of pressure, temperature, residence time and particle size effective to provide a polycrystalline sintered cubic halide scintillator having a pulse height resolution of from about 7% to about 20%. The conditions include a temperature ranging from about ambient temperature up to about 90% of the melting point of the cubic halide, a pressure of from about 30,000 psi to about 200,000 psi, a pressing residence time of from about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes and an average cubic halide particle size of from about 60 micrometers to about 275 micrometers.

Abstract: A film composed of a metal or a semimetal is formed on a surface of a soft magnetic powder including iron and oxygen (in step S102). In this case, a silicon-containing film is desirably formed on a surface of the film. Next, compaction is performed on the soft magnetic powder, so that a green compact is obtained (in step S103). Since the film is a metal film or a semimetal film having a high ductility, the density of the green compact produced by the compaction can be higher, and generation of damage, such as cracks or the like, can be prevented in the film. The effects can be also obtained in a case of formation of the silicon-containing film. Next, the green compact is subjected to heating, so that a surface and an interface of the soft magnetic powder of the green compact are oxidized, so that an insulation film is formed (in step S104). Generation of eddy current loss can be prevented by the oxide film. As a result, productivity and magnetic properties can be improved.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit that includes diamond particles disposed in a matrix material, wherein the diamond particles have a contiguity of 15% or less is disclosed. A method of forming a diamond-impregnated cutting structure, that includes loading a plurality of substantially uniformly coated diamond particles into a mold cavity, pre-compacting the substantially uniformly coated diamond particles using a cold-press cycle, and heating the compacted, substantially uniformly coated diamond particles with a matrix material to form the diamond impregnated cutting structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bone repair or augmentation devices comprising a porous body (2) comprising pores (4), the porous body comprising a portion with a reinforcing agent within the pores of that portion of the porous body (8). Methods of making bone augmentation or repair devices are also provided, the devices having a perimeter and an internal region, the method comprising: (a) mixing a biodegradable reinforcing agent with a biomaterial selected from the group comprising ceramic materials and bioactive glasses to form a mixture; (b) heating the mixture to above the softening point of the reinforcing agent; (c) moulding the mixture around at least a portion of the internal region.

Abstract: Methods are provided for casting one or more of a semi-conductor, an oxide, and an intermetallic material. With such methods, a cast body of a geometrically ordered multi-crystalline form of the one or more of a semiconductor, an oxide, and an intermetallic material may be formed that is free or substantially free of radially-distributed impurities and defects and having at least two dimensions that are each at least about 10 cm.

Abstract: A hot axial pressing method for sintering a ceramic powder, particularly doped Gd2O2S, comprise the step of placing a first porous body (7), the ceramic powder (9) and a second porous body (7) into a mould shell (5) supported by a support (13, 14). The ceramic powder (9) is located between the porous bodies (7). Gaseous components are evacuated from the ceramic powder (9) up to an ambient pressure of less than 0.8 bar. The porous body (7) and the ceramic powder (9) are heated to a maximum temperature of at least 900° C. and are applied to a pressure up to a maximum pressure of at least 75 Mpa. According to the invention the variation in time of the heating step and the variation in time of the pressure applying step is adjusted to each other such that the mould shell 5 is held by the porous bodies (7) and/or the ceramic powder (9) in a state where the mould shell (5) and the support (13, 14) are disconnected with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a ceramic filter body (1) for filtering an exhaust gas stream (2) of a diesel engine. The filter body (1) has planar and porous filter sections (3) that are designed to be passed by the exhaust gas flow (2) in a direction transverse to the face of the filter sections (3). A planar permeable fiber web (4, 4?), in particular of filter paper, is first impregnated with finely ground ceramic material (6) only across sections under formation of a non-impregnated section (12). The only partially ceramic-impregnated fiber web (4, 4?) is subsequently brought into the shape of a blank of the filter body (1) in such a way that the impregnated areas of the fiber web (4, 4?) assume the shape of the filter body (1).

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic member containing yttrium oxide as a main component, containing cerium element and obtained by firing under a nonoxidizing atmosphere. The electrostatic chuck that has high corrosion resistant characteristics and includes a ceramic member having a low volume resistivity with a strong attracting force that utilize the Johnsen-Rahbeck force can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fused product comprising LTM perovskite, L designating lanthanum, T being an element selected from strontium, calcium, magnesium, barium, yttrium, ytterbium, cerium, and mixtures of these elements, and X designating manganese.

Abstract: A method for producing a body of metal-ceramic composites, including the following steps of a) Producing a ceramic preform by sintering using a starting powder containing ceramic particles at an aspect ratio of 1-10, in such a way that the obtained preform has a porous structure with pore diameters of 0.5-10 ?m and an overall porosity of 15-60% (sintering step), and b) Introducing molten metal of a pure metal or an alloy into the thus produced ceramic preform having a porous structure (infiltration step).

Abstract: A sputtering target which is formed of a sintered body including an oxide main components of which are In and Sm. A sputtering target in which a sintered body of an oxide including In and Sm as main components is doped with at least one element with an atomic valency of positive tetravalency or higher in an amount of 20 at. % or less relative to the total sum of all cation elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crystal oriented ceramics is disclosed. The method comprises preparing step, mixing step, shaping step and sintering method. At least one of anisotropically shaped powder, used as raw material, and a compact, formed by shaping step, is selected to have an orientation degree of 80% or more with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 15° or less according to a rocking curve method. A microscopic powder, having an average grain diameter one-third or less that of anisotropically shaped powder, is prepared for mixing therewith to prepare raw material mixture. The raw material mixture is shaped into the compact so as to allow oriented planes of anisotropically shaped powder to be oriented in a nearly identical direction. In a sintering step, anisotropically shaped powder and microscopic powder are sintered with each other to obtain the crystal oriented ceramics.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for producing a solid electrolyte sheet for a solid oxide fuel cells is characterized in comprising steps of obtaining a large-sized thin zirconia green sheet by molding and drying a slurry containing zirconia particles, a binder, a plasticizer and a dispersion medium; pressing the zirconia green sheet in the thickness direction with a pressure of not less than 10 MPa and not more than 40 MPa; firing the pressed zirconia green sheet at 1200 to 1500° C.; and controlling a time period when a temperature is within the range of from 500° C. to 200° C. to not less than 100 minutes and not more than 400 minutes when cooling the sheet after firing.

Abstract: A CMC sandwich used to fabricate CMC structures includes facesheets bonded to a core reinforced with a ceramic truss comprising an array of CMC pins. The binder matrix in the ends of the pins is removed, leaving exposed, flexible ceramic fibers. The exposed ceramic fibers are bent so as to extend parallel to the facesheets, and are bonded to one or more plies of the facesheets. The binder matrix in the ends of the ceramic pins may be removed by mechanical or chemical processes.

Abstract: A composite ceramic including a first phase of ceramic material and a second phase of ceramic material, the first and second phases forming three dimensional interconnected networks of each phase and having a nano-scaled grain size. The composite ceramic is produced in a method which utilizes rapid solidification at cooling rates of at least ˜104° K/sec to produce a metastable material formed by a solid solution of a two immiscible ceramic material phases, and which also utilizes relatively high pressure/low temperature consolidation to complete densification of the metastable material, while simultaneously generating a composite structure with nano-scale grain dimensions through a controlled phase transformation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to a method for making an article of jewelry, the method may comprise, but is not limited to, mixing zirconia and a binder to form a mixture, heating the mixture, applying a pressure to the mixture to place the mixture in a mold to form a molded body, and applying heat to the molded body in a controlled atmosphere to at least partially remove the binder from the molded body. The method may further comprise forming at least one hole extending completely through the molded body, the at least one hole for inserting at least one stone setting or a housing for the stone setting.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article (30) or a composite article (60) that minimizes the risk of delaminations while simultaneously maintaining a desired degree of porosity in the material. A pressure P applied against a surface of the article during a sintering process is controlled to be high enough to resist a separation force between the plies (66) of the CMC material (62) caused by anisotropic shrinkage of the material and/or to resist a separation force caused by differential shrinkage between the CMC material and an adjoined monolithic ceramic material (64). The pressure is also controlled to be low enough to avoid undue consolidation of the materials and to provide a desired degree of porosity in the sintered article. The pressure may be applied by delta-alpha tooling, and it may be varied verses the time of the sintering heating and/or across the article surface.

Abstract: Fusion cast indium zinc oxide articles and methods of manufacturing fusion cast indium zinc articles are disclosed. The fusion cast indium zinc articles can be used as sputtering targets for forming transparent conductive films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for in-situ preparation of alumina-(Ti,Zr) borides composite. The present invention particularly relates to fast and in-situ process for synthesis and consolidation of Al2O3—Zr/Ti B2 composites of approximate-95% density with controlled grain-growth in the range of less than or the order of 5 micrometer or less grain size using a dynamic Self propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) process.

Abstract: High-density composites of alumina and titania with nano-sized grains are prepared from aluminum titanate without the need to use nano-sized powder as a starting material. The preparation is achieved by high-energy ball milling of the aluminum titanate followed by sintering at elevated temperature and pressure. The aluminum titanate can be prepared from micron-sized alumina and titania particles through plasma jet processing.

Abstract: Methods of making amorphous material and ceramic materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used to make abrasive particles. The abrasive particles can be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: A high thermal conductive material includes substantially silicon carbide and metal silicon, and preferably is formed by impregnating the space between the bonded silicon carbide crystals with the metal silicon. The production process comprises adding an organic binder and a dispersant or a binder having a dispersing effect to a silicon carbide powder to obtain a mixture, forming the mixture by cast forming or pressure forming to obtain a formed product, treating the formed product with heat at 2,100–2,500° C. for 1–5 hours to obtain a base material, impregnating the base material with an organic resin, treating the base material with heat, and impregnating the base material with metal silicon at 1,450–1,800° C. under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Densified composites of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride that exhibit high creep resistance are obtained by sintering a mixture of amorphous powders of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride in the presence of an electric field under high pressure. The grain size in the resulting composite is less than 100 nanometers for all components of the composite, and the composite exhibits high creep resistance.

Abstract: A fibrous reinforcement including a fibrous support treated throughout or covered at least partially on one of its surfaces with a compound containing: i) one or more thermosetting prepolymers having a softening temperature of 150° C. or lower and/or one or more thermoplastic polymers having a glass transition temperature lower than 300° C.; and ii) one or more inorganic phosphorus compounds. The treatment ratio of the fibrous support with the inorganic phosphorus compound(s) falls within the range of 2%–20% by weight. The fibrous reinforcement is suitable for use as a fireproofing agent.

Abstract: Densified composites of silicon nitride and silicon carbide that exhibit high creep resistance are obtained by mechanically activating a mixture of amorphous powders of silicon nitride and silicon carbide and sintering the mechanically activated mixture in the presence of an electric field under high pressure. The grain size in the resulting composite is less than 100 nanometers for all components of the composite, and the composite exhibits high creep resistance.

Abstract: A thin-walled polymeric component that may have a selected complex shape, and a method of forming the component. The method includes heating a portion of a polymeric film to a selected malleable temperature, and forming a protrusion in the heated portion while it is malleable. The protrusion defines a protrusion having a first shape. The method also includes positioning a forming tool in the protrusion's interior and drawing a partial vacuum from within the protrusion so as to exert a force on the protrusion and move the protrusion's sidewalls inwardly into engagement with the forming tool. As the partial vacuum is drawn, the protrusion moves to a second shape that may be different than the first shape and that closely conforms to the selected shape of the forming tool. The protrusion is cooled below the malleable temperature and the forming tool is then removed.

Abstract: A process for producing fused alumina-zirconia grits includes mixing raw materials suitable to produce grits with the following chemical composition, in % by weight: ZrO2+HfO2: 10–60%, Al2O3: 38–90%, SiO2: <0.8%, and Impurities: <1.2%. The process also includes adding carbon and aluminum metal to the mixture of raw materials to obtain a charged batch containing, in % by weight,: Carbon: 0.4–1% Aluminum metal: 0.5–2.5%. The process further includes melting the charged batch in an electric arc furnace with a voltage of 175–205 V and a delivered specific electrical energy of 2.5 to 4 kWh per kg of charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature superconductor component with a particular cross-sectional area, which has a current-carrying section, the current-carrying section being in contact with a safety conductor in such a way that the critical current flowing on transition of the superconductor to normal conduction can be taken up without damage by the safety conductor in at least 1 second and rerouted, as well as a process for its production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a molding, characterized in that a silicatic solid is mixed with a solution comprising a first silicatic binder and the mixture is then press-molded, and the compression molding is then post-treated with a solution comprising a second silicatic binder, and to silicatic moldings obtainable by this process, and also to their use as construction material, insulator material, gasket material or fire-resistant material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a braking band for a brake disk with venting passages and to a braking band which can be produced by the process. The process comprises the following steps: molding a core (200) of the braking band in a suitable mold (1), molding two covers (8) onto the core in a further suitable mold (101) so as to form a semi-finished product having a “sandwich” structure, firing the semi-finished product so as to produce a predetermined porosity of the covers, firing the semi-finished product further, in the presence of silicon, at a temperature such as substantially to bring about fusion of the silicon and its infiltration into the covers.

Abstract: A high thermal conductive material includes substantially silicon carbide and metal silicon, and preferably is formed by impregnating the space between the bonded silicon carbide crystals with the metal silicon. The production process comprises adding an organic binder and a dispersant or a binder having a dispersing effect to a silicon carbide powder to obtain a mixture, forming the mixture by cast forming or pressure forming to obtain a formed product, treating the formed product with heat at 2,100-2,500° C. for 1-5 hours to obtain a base material, impregnating the base material with an organic resin, treating the base material with heat, and impregnating the base material with metal silicon at 1,450-1,800° C. under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Method for making ceramic particles. Embodiments of ceramic particles made according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.

Abstract: A method of making heat engine components, such as rocket nozzle throats, includes forming a body having at least one surface, wherein the body is made of a refractory metal, and compressing a ceramic powder between a die and the at least one surface of the body, with sufficient heat and pressure to densify and thus form a solid ceramic coating on the at least one surface of the body. Nozzle throats made according to the invention have bodies made of refractory metals, such as tantalum, and ceramic coatings on the inner surfaces of the annular bodies, wherein the ceramic coatings are made of ceramic materials such as tantalum carbide.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic colonies. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: 12A high temperature gas turbine component includes an inner core made of a monolithic ceramic material embedded within an outer CMC shell. The inner core may be formed with a through hole, blind hole, wear pads and the like. A method of making the bushing includes the steps of a) forming an inner core of silicon nitride or silicon carbide; and b) applying a ceramic matrix composite material over substantially all of the inner core.

Abstract: In a process for producing marl slags and marl slag cements or mixed components for mixed cements from marl having a basicity CaO/SiO2 of <2.0, it is provided that in a first process step argillaceous marl or a mixture of marl and clay having a basicity of <2.0 is dried, preheated and calcined and that, after this, the obtained product in a second process step is melted in a separate melting furnace at higher temperatures than applied in the first process step and is granulated from the melt.

Abstract: Zr(1−x)XxW2O8 in which x represents a substituent element for zirconium Zr, and 0≦x<<1, having negative thermal expansion coefficient synthesized previously is heated and melted, or a starting material formed by mixing 2 mols of tungsten trioxide WO3 and 1 mol of the sum of zirconium oxide ZrO2 and a substituent element X in accordance with a substitution amount x at a stoichiometrical ratio and then quenching the same by being placed in a casting mold of an arbitrary shape and annealing the obtained castings by being heated at 120 to 500° C., whereby negative-thermal-expansion ceramics can be molded to arbitrary size and shape without press molding the starting powder and with no formation of voids and crackings in the inside.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic material. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic material comprising Al2O3—MgO-REO eutectic. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic material. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: A ceramic bearing ball in which at least a portion of a constituent ceramic is formed of an electrically conductive inorganic compound phase, whereby a proper electrical conductivity is imparted to the ceramic. Thus, electrifying of a bearing ball is prevented or effectively suppressed. This prevents the problem involved in production of balls of small diameter wherein such balls adhere to an apparatus (e.g., a container) during production thereof, thus hindering smooth progress of the production process. In addition, when ceramic balls are used in precision electronic equipment, such as a hard disk drive of a computer, which is operated at high rotational speed, adhesion of foreign substance due to electrification of the balls, and resultant generation of abnormal noise or vibration can be prevented or effectively suppressed.