Abstract: A process for producing a multilayered ceramic substrate having a step portion of a desired shape does not require complicated process steps and equipment. An auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body, which has a step portion in a principal surface thereof, has an unfired ceramic body and an auxiliary layer which is adhered to one principal surface of the unfired ceramic body and which is made of a material that is substantially unsinterable at a temperature at which the unfired ceramic body is fired. The auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body is fired at a temperature at which the unfired ceramic body is sinterable but the auxiliary layer is substantially unsinterable, while the auxiliary layer remains adhered to the unfired ceramic body.

Abstract: A method for forming a heat spreading apparatus for semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes extruding a frame material to form multiple individual cells including fillable openings within the frame material; filling a first group of the individual cells with one or more high thermal conductivity materials; filling at least a second group of the individual cells with one or more materials of lower thermal conductivity than in the first group of the individual cells; and implementing a reflowing process following filling the multiple individual cells so as to infiltrate the materials within the individual cells, wherein defined walls of the frame material remain following the reflowing.

Abstract: Methods for producing reinforced carbon nanotubes having a plurality of microparticulate carbide or oxide materials formed substantially on the surface of such reinforced carbon nanotubes composite materials are disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides reinforced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a plurality of boron carbide nanolumps formed substantially on a surface of the reinforced CNTs that provide a reinforcing effect on CNTs, enabling their use as effective reinforcing fillers for matrix materials to give high-strength composites. The present invention also provides methods for producing such carbide reinforced CNTs.

Abstract: Multilayered structures formed from two or more polymeric layers are fabricated to obtain a single structure preferably having advantages of each of the separate layers. Polyolefin-based substrates can provide a layer with a good balance of stiffness and impact resistance, excellent processability, and relatively lower cost. Tie layers, preferably physically positioned adjacent a polyolefin-based substrate layer, facilitates adhering additional layer(s) together with the polyolefin-based substrate. Suitable tie layers generally include a multicomponent blend of at least one vinyl cyanide-containing component and at least one styrenic block copolymer component. Preferably, the additional layers include at least one acrylate-based cap layer, which can have a glossy, scratch resistance outer layer with excellent optical characteristics.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. The composite material includes a continuous roving made from a material selected from a group consisting of natural fibers, mineral fibers, synthetic fibers, kenaf fibers, hemp fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers and mixtures thereof impregnated with a water-based matrix binder including gypsum, a polymer and water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite target in the form of a bar made of ceramic powders and designed to be evaporated under an electron beam, the target comprising zirconia and at least one zirconia stabilizer. In characteristic manner, said target is wherein said zirconia stabilizer is at a molar content lying in the range 2% to 30% and wherein said zirconia is formed by more than 90% of a monoclinic phase. The invention is applicable to fabricating a ceramic thermal barrier of low thermal conductivity and high thermomechanical strength formed by evaporation under an electron beam.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing an LTCC substrate, capable of enhancing coatability of an external electrode pad, yield of the LTCC substrate as a package and product reliability and ensuring compactness of a product utilizing the LTCC substrate package. The method includes: forming a cavity on external electrode pad forming layers, respectively and filling the cavity with an external electrode pad material; depositing the external electrode pad forming layers on a ceramic stack with a printed circuit pattern formed therein; and sintering the ceramic stack having the external electrode pad forming layers deposited thereon at a low temperature.

Abstract: A composite sintered magnetic material comprises a kind of metal powder at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Fe—Si type, Fe—Ni type, Fe—Ni—Mo type, and Fe—Si—Al type, and a ferrite layer formed from a kind of ferrite powder at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni—Zn type, Mn—Zn type, and Mg—Zn type, wherein a diffusion layer is formed by sintering between both of these to integrates the both.

Abstract: A powdery mixture of fine SiC powder with one or more oxide sintering additives of Al2O3, Y2O3, SiO2 and CaO is blended and uniformly dispersed in a polymeric SiC precursor to prepare a matrix-forming polymeric slurry. A preform of SiC fiber, which has quasi-stoichiometric composition with high crystallinity, is impregnated with the polymeric slurry and then hot-pressed at a temperature of 1600° C. or higher in presence of a liquid phase. Since the heat-resistant SiC fiber is used as strengthening fiber, the prepreg is sintered to a dense SiC composite excellent in mechanical properties by one-step hot-pressing.

Abstract: Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers in superhard constructs.

Abstract: A sintering apparatus for silver clay wherein a silver clay composition can be readily and easily sintered by exposing a silver clay composition obtained by molding to a flame of a solid alcohol fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite of a porous metal oxide infrastructure and a glass infiltrated in the pores of the infrastructure, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: providing a glass which is suitable for infiltration and compatible with the metal oxide infrastructure; heating the glass in a nitrogen rich environment; and infiltrating the metal oxide infrastructure with the glass. The invention also relates to a method for avoiding or reducing stress corrosion in a glass infiltrated metal oxide infrastructure, comprising heating a glass composition under a nitrogen gas atmosphere before infiltrating the metal oxide infrastructure. The invention further relates to a glass infiltrated metaloxide infrastructure obtainable by any of these methods.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of high dielectric constant composite materials comprising a high particle loading to form molded structures comprising three dimensional shapes. The composite material comprises ceramic dielectric particles, preferably nano-sized particles, and a thermoset polymer system. The composite material exhibits a high energy density.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal shield element comprising a hot side that is to face a hot medium, a cold side which is to face away from the hot medium, circumferential areas that connect the hot side to the cold side, and a material volume which is delimited by the hot side, the cold side, and the circumferential areas. The inventive thermal shield element is characterized in that the material volume encompasses at least two material zones which differ regarding the thermal expansion coefficient thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hybrid structure (100) having a layer of CMC material (28) defining an interior passageway (24) and a layer of ceramic insulating material (18) lining the passageway. The method includes the step of casting the insulating material to a first thickness required for effective casting but in excess of a desired second thickness for use of the hybrid structure. An inner mold (14) defining a net shape desired for the passageway remains in place after the casting step to mechanically support the insulating material during a machining process used to reduce the thickness of the insulating material from the as-cast first thickness to the desired second thickness. The inner mold also provides support as the CMC material is deposited onto the insulating material. The inner mold may include a fugitive material portion (20) to facilitate its removal after the CMC material is formed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor includes the steps of: preparing a mixture of a raw material powder mainly composed of barium titanate particles; forming the mixture and a binder into a green sheet; alternately layering the green sheet and an internal electrode to obtain a laminated body; and sintering the laminated body. The step of preparing the mixture includes the steps of: introducing the raw material powder and the dispersion medium into a mixing container, and stirring them with balls serving as a mixing medium, to obtain a slurry containing a raw material powder mixture; and drying the slurry. The mixing medium has a diameter that is equal to or less than 400 times the mean particle size of the barium titanate particles of the raw material. The present invention provides a multilayer ceramic capacitor having good DC bias characteristics by suppressing the variation in crystal particles.

Abstract: A heat spreading apparatus for use in cooling of semiconductor devices includes a frame having a plurality of individual cells formed therein, each of the cells configured for filling with a material of selected thermal conductivity therein. The selected thermal conductivity of material within a given one of the cells corresponds to a thermal profile of the semiconductor device to be cooled.

Abstract: A preformed of SiC fiber, which is coated with one or more of C, BN and SiC, is impregnated with a slurry, which suspends fine SiC powder and a sintering additive therein. The impregnated preform is hot-pressed at 1600-1800° C. with a pressure of 10 MPa or more. The sintering additive may be one or more of Al2O3, Y2O3, SiO2 and CaO. The slurry may futher contain a silicone polymer selected from polycarbosilane, polyvinylsilane and polymethylsilane. Reaction of SiC fiber with a matrix is inhibited by the coating, so as to manufacture a SiC fiber-reinforced SiC-matrix composite remarkably improved in mechanical properties.

Abstract: A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including a compound having a perovskite-type crystal structure expressed by a general formula ABO3 (note that “A” is Ba alone or a composite of Ba and Ca, and “B” is Ti alone or a composite of Ti and Zr), and a fourth subcomponent including an oxide of R (note that R is at least one selected from Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu); comprising steps of dividing a material of the main component to a first main component material and a second main component material, obtaining a post-reaction material by bringing the material of the first main component to react in advance with a part of the fourth subcomponent material to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition, and adding the material of the second main component and rest of the fourth subcomponent material to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition into the post-reaction material; wherein, when assuming that number of moles o

Abstract: A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including a compound having a perovskite-type crystal structure expressed by a composition formula (Ba1-xCax) (Ti1-yZry)O3 (note that 0?x?0.2, 0?y?0.2), and a fourth subcomponent including an oxide of R (note that R is at least one selected from Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu); comprising steps of obtaining a post-reaction material by bringing a material of the main component to react in advance with a part of a material of the fourth subcomponent to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition, and adding rest of material of the fourth subcomponent to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition into the post-reaction material. According to the present invention, both of a dielectric ceramic composition capable of improving the specific permittivity and a temperature characteristic of capacitance can be preferable, and the production method can be provided.

Abstract: Method of glazing ceramic articles, consisting of preparing a glaze compound in liquid suspension, preferably aqueous; feeding the glaze compound in liquid suspension, preferably aqueous, into the forming cavity of a porous mould, for the time required to create a glaze film of desired thickness on the surface of the cavity by absorption of the liquid phase; feeding the slip into the same cavity for the time required to create the wall of the article by absorption of the liquid phase.

Abstract: A gas barrier substrate includes a compound gradient layer. The compound gradient layer includes an inorganic material and a resin material. A content of the inorganic material in the resin material varies in a thickness direction. The gas barrier substrate also includes a gas barrier layer. The gas barrier layer is made of an inorganic material and is bonded to the compound gradient layer. The compound gradient layer has a high content of inorganic material in an area near a bonding surface between the compound gradient layer and the gas barrier layer. The compound gradient layer may be bonded to a resin layer and may have a low content of inorganic material in an area near a surface bonded to the resin layer.

Abstract: Piezoelectric performance is improved in a piezoelectric ceramic having a perovskite-type crystal structure expressed by a general formula ABO3 and the B-site element including niobium. The piezoelectric ceramic has a perovskite-type crystal structure in which plural octahedrons formed of oxygen are arranged to share vertices thereof and elements are located at a center of eight octahedrons and at a center of each octahedron; wherein an element located at the center of eight octahedrons is A-site element, an element located at the center of each octahedron is B-site element, and a general formula of the perovskite-type crystal structure is ABO3; the B-site element includes niobium (Nb); and bismuth (Bi) content in composition of the piezoelectric ceramic is 100 ppm by weight or less.

Abstract: A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition, comprising a main component comprised of barium titanate, a fourth subcomponent comprised of an oxide of R1 (note that R1 is at least one kind selected from a first element group composed of rare earth elements having a value of effective ionic radius for coordination number 9 of less than 108 pm) and a fifth sub component comprised of an oxide of R2 (note that R2 is at least one kind selected from a second element group composed of rare earth elements having a value of effective ionic radius for coordination number 9 of 108 pm to 113 pm); comprising the steps of obtaining a post-reaction material by bringing the main component material reacting with a part of the fourth subcomponent material and/or a part of the fifth subcomponent material, and adding remaining materials of the fourth subcomponent and the fifth subcomponent to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition to the post-reaction material; wherein a ratio M1/M2 of the number of moles M

Abstract: A composite construction 1 is obtained by coating the outer periphery of a core material 2 with a shell layer 3. The core material 2 is composed of a first sintered body that is obtained by bonding, with a binder metal, a first hard particle composed of one or more of carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of metals of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table, or a first ceramics obtained by bonding, with a sintering additive, a first ceramic particle composed of at least one of oxides, carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides selected from the group consisting of metals of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table, Al, Si and Zn. The shell layer 3 is composed of a second hard sintered body or second ceramics having a different composition from the first hard sintered body. The ratio of the residual free carbon amount Cin in the core material 2 to the residual free carbon amount Cout in the shell layer 3, Cin/Cout, is 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: A process form producing ceramic composites comprising metal carbides, which comprises the steps production of a porous carbon-containing intermediate body, infiltration of the intermediate body with the melt of a carbon-forming metal, reaction of at least part of the carbon of the intermediate body with the carbide-forming metal to form a metal carbide, with at least part of the carbide-formed metal being supplied via at least one wick made of porous carbon material having pore channels and the wick being produced by carbonization of wood materials or of essentially unidirectionally reinforced CFRP, such wicks and their use in the abovementioned process.

Abstract: A separation wall transfer mold adaptive to form separation walls on a substrate, includes a main body. A separation wall concave section has concaves for separation walls and is formed in a surface of the main body for a material of the separation walls to be spewed into the separation wall concave section when the separation wall transfer mold is pressed to a substrate. A spew preventing concave section is formed in the surface of the main body for an excess portion of the material to be spewed in the spew preventing concave section.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride ceramic including aluminum nitride grains and grain boundary phases comprises a grain boundary phase-rich layer including more amount of the grain boundary phases in a surface layer of the aluminum nitride ceramic than in an inside of the aluminum nitride ceramic. The grain boundary phases in the grain boundary phase-rich layer include at least one of rare earth element and alkali earth element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a ceramic matrix composite by slurry infiltration. The methods involve placing a desized ceramic cloth lay-up into a non-ceramic cloth bag, sealing the bag to form a bagged ceramic preform, infiltrating the bagged ceramic preform with a ceramic-containing slurry, and sintering the preform to convert the slurry to a ceramic while decomposing the non-ceramic bag. The methods of the present invention maximize slurry infiltration of the ceramic cloth tow bundle while minimizing damage to the ceramic cloth.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a composite abrasive compact which comprises an abrasive compact bonded to a substrate. The abrasive compact will generally be a diamond compact and the substrate will generally be a cemented carbide substrate. The composite abrasive compact is made under known conditions of elevated temperature and pressure suitable for producing abrasive compacts. The method is characterised by the mass of abrasive particles from which the abrasive compact is made. This mass has three regions which are: (i) an inner region, adjacent the surface of the substrate on which the mass is provided, containing particles having at least four different average particle sizes; (ii) an outer region containing particles having at least three different average particle sizes; and (iii) an intermediate region between the first and second regions.

Abstract: Methods for consolidation and densification of fibrous monolith composite structures are provided. Consolidation and densification of two- and three-dimensional fibrous monolith components having complex geometries can be achieved by pressureless sintering. The fibrous monolith composites are formed from filaments having at least a first material composition generally surrounded by a second material composition. The composites are sintered at a pressure of no more than about 30 psi to provide consolidated and densified fibrous monolith composites.

Abstract: A process for producing a continuous alumina fiber blanket by heat treating an alumina fiber precursor formed from a spinning solution containing an aluminum compound, by using a specific high-temperature furnace capable of high-temperature heat treatment. According to this process, a continuous sheet (W) of alumina fiber precursor formed from a spinning solution containing an aluminum compound is supplied continuously into a high-temperature furnace and subjected to heat treatment while being conveyed in one direction by plural conveying mechanisms (2, 3) disposed in said high-temperature furnace. In this operation, the speed of said conveying mechanisms is reduced progressively in the direction of conveyance in correspondence to the rate of heat shrinkage of the continuous sheet (W) of alumina fiber precursor, thereby to lessen fiber crush in the alumina fiber precursor and obtain a continuous alumina fiber blanket with uniform thickness and high bulk density as well as high strength.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell employs an array of tubular flat plates that are sealed only at their extremities using compliant seals. The seals may be formed of talc and surround gas inlet and outlet openings in the tube extremities. Locating the seals remote from the higher temperature central areas of the tubes increases the service life of the seals and their tolerance to thermal cycling. The seals may incorporate an annular conductor for electrically interconnecting adjacent tubes into a common circuit.

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network matrix. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic inorganic composition, such as a reactive glass, water and optional fillers, additives and processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and applying the temperature and pressure necessary to consolidate the desired form. The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods. A notable aspect of the invention is that, although composite and neat resin components prepared from the invention can exhibit excellent dimensional stability to 1000° C. and higher, they can be prepared at the lower temperatures and pressures typical to organic polymer processing.

Abstract: A ceramic arc tube assembly and a method for making a ceramic arc tube are described which simplify the manufacture of ceramic arc tubes by reducing the number of handling and heat treatments required to assemble arc tubes prior to the final sintering operation. In particular, the invention uses transient assembly buttons during intermediate assembly steps which are removed prior to the final sintering operation.

Abstract: To produce a green composite laminate 11, a green multilayer collective substrate 13 containing low-temperature sinterable glass ceramic powder as a main ingredient is disposed between first and second shrinkage-restraining layers 14a and 14b containing alumina powder as a main ingredient. Grooves 16 are formed on one main surface 11a of the green composite laminate 11 such as to pass through the first shrinkage-restraining layer 14a and the green multilayer collective substrate 13 and reach the second shrinkage-restraining layer 14b, but not to reach the other main surface 11b of the green composite laminate 11. The green composite laminate 11 provided with the grooves 16 is sintered under conditions where the low-temperature sinterable glass ceramic powder is sintered and the green first and second shrinkage-restraining layers 14a and 14b are removed to prepare a plurality of ceramic multilayer substrates.

Abstract: Fully dense, diamond-silicon carbide composites are prepared from ball-milled microcrystalline diamond/amorphous silicon powder mixture. The ball-milled powder is sintered (P=5-8 GPa, T=1400K-2300K) to form composites having high fracture toughness. A composite made at 5 GPa/1673K had a measured fracture toughness of 12 MPa·m1/2. By contrast, liquid infiltration of silicon into diamond powder at 5 GPa/1673K produces a composite with higher hardness but lower fracture toughness. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra indicate that amorphous silicon is partially transformed into nanocrystalline silicon at 5 GPa/873K, and nanocrystalline silicon carbide forms at higher temperatures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low-density polyethylene composition useful for coating polar substrates. This invention particularly relates to a low-density polyethylene composition useful for coating metal foils, wherein the composition comprises an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer having a low acid content.

Abstract: A process for continuous composite coextrusion comprising: (a) forming first a material-laden composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and at least about 40 volume % of a ceramic or metallic particulate in a manner such that the composition has a substantially cylindrical geometry and thus can be used as a substantially cylindrical feed rod; (b) forming a hole down the symmetrical axis of the feed rod; (c) inserting the start of a continuous spool of ceramic fiber, metal fiber or carbon fiber through the hole in the feed rod; (d) extruding the feed rod and spool simultaneously to form a continuous filament consisting of a green matrix material completely surrounding a dense fiber reinforcement and said filament having an average diameter that is less than the average diameter of the feed rod; and (e) depositing the continuous filament into a desired architecture which preferably is determined from specific loading conditions of the desired object and CAD design of the object to provide a green fiber rei

Abstract: A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiO2 source and water), an acidic oxoanionic compound such as phosphoric acid, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15° C. up to 1000° C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15° C. to about 200° C. and pressures <200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat containing a novolac resin having an acid solubility of at least about 35 wt. percent is especially useful for bonding to a light weight fibrous or foam web or board, such as a polymer fiber web. A method of making the mat by wet laying a slurry containing the fiber and the novolac resin particles and then further adding an aqueous solution or slurry containing a crosslinking agent for the novolac resin and a laminate containing the fiber glass mat are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a thermal insulating material includes the steps of: providing a chamber, placing hollow geometric shapes in the chamber, closing the chamber, evacuating air from the chamber, feeding a slurry into an adjacent slurry chamber, pressurizing the slurry chamber and forcing the slurry in to the sphere chamber around the spheres against a fibrous material adjacent a side wall of the sphere chamber. The fibrous material allows capillary wicking of the liquid from the slurry around the spheres. Due to this pressure the spheres and slurry are semi dried into a green state. The material in its green state green is subsequently dried and fired to form the insulating material.

Abstract: Techniques to bond two or more smaller bodies or subunits to produce a unitary SiC composite structure extend the capabilities of reaction-bonded silicon carbide, for example, by making possible the fabrication of complex shapes. In a first aspect of the present invention, two or more preforms are bonded together with a binder material that imparts at least strength sufficient for handling during subsequent thermal processing. In a second aspect of the present invention, instead of providing the subunits to be bonded in the form of preforms, the subunits may be dense, SiC composite bodies, e.g., RBSC bodies. In each of the above embodiments, a preferable means for bonding two or more subunits combines aspects of adhesive and mechanical locking characteristics. One way to accomplish this objective is to incorporate a mechanical locking feature to the joining means, e.g., a “keyway” feature.

Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a smoothly surfaced, secondarily bonded, ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a secondarily bonded CMC layer by forming a CMC prepreg layer comprising a woven ceramic fabric layer impregnated with a pre-ceramic slurry and layering the prepreg layer with a flexible insulation blanket. The blanket and prepreg layer are then compressed such that the prepreg layer abuts a rigid smoothly surfaced plate and the ceramic material is cured by heating while under compression. Pressure is then released and the insulation is fired to sinter the ceramic material of the CMC layer.

Abstract: A method to obtain a refractory carbide-based composite material, in particular as an article of a predetermined shape includes the following steps: molding of a porous blank from a mixture of powders of at least one carbide-forming metal and/or non-metal and at least one carbide, the amount of carbide component in the mixture of powders not exceeding 90%, heat treating the obtained porous blank in a hydrocarbonous atmosphere containing one or more hydrocarbons until the increase in its mass reaches 2-42%, thereby obtaining a semi-product, and heating the obtained semi-product in a non-oxidizing medium at a temperature of 1000-2000° C.

Abstract: A method for making a dental restoration by milling a dental model from a partially sintered ceramic material, applying dental material thereon, and curing the dental material on the model to obtain a dental restoration. The method can be used for forming a variety of dental restorations including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, orthodontic retainers, dentures, posts, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, splints, partial crowns, teeth, cylinders, pins, and connectors.

Abstract: Fully dense, diamond-silicon carbide composites are prepared from ball-milled microcrystalline diamond/amorphous silicon powder mixture. The ball-milled powder is sintered (P=5-8 GPa, T=1400K-2300K) to form composites having high fracture toughness. A composite made at 5 GPa/1673K had a measured fracture toughness of 12 MPa·m1/2. By contrast, liquid infiltration of silicon into diamond powder at 5 GPa/1673K produces a composite with higher hardness but lower fracture toughness. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra indicate that amorphous silicon is partially transformed into nanocrystalline silicon at 5 GPa/873K, and nanocrystalline silicon carbide forms at higher temperatures.

Abstract: A method for producing high-alumina bodies with superior chemical properties at reduced sintering temperatures, including the steps of providing an alumina powder precursor, adding about 4 weight percent magnesia powder precursor, homogenizing the resultant green powder precursor, pressing a green body from the green powder precursor, removing residual moisture and organic material from the green body, and firing the green body to about cone 13, wherein the resulting high-alumina body is substantially non-vitreous, has a substantially uniformly sized grain structure, is very resistant to dissolution in molten aluminum, and has superior resistance to chemical attack over substantially the entire pH range.

Abstract: A method to make thick or thin films a very low cost. The method is generally similar to the conventional tape casting techniques while being more flexible and versatile. The invention involves preparing a slip (solution) of desired material and including solvents such as ethanol and an appropriate dispersant to prevent agglomeration. The slip is then sprayed on a substrate to be coated using an atomizer which spreads the slip in a fine mist. Upon hitting the substrate, the solvent evaporates, leaving a green tape containing the powder and other additives, whereafter the tape may be punctured, cut, and heated for the desired application. The tape thickness can vary from about 1 &mgr;m upward.

Abstract: A process for producing a carbon fiber sheet, which comprises allowing, as necessary, an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber sheet to contain 0.2 to 5% by mass of a resin, then subjecting the resin-containing oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber sheet to a compression treatment in the thickness direction under the conditions of 150 to 300° C. and 5 to 100 MPa (10 to 100 MPa when no resin treatment is made) to obtain a compressed, oxidized fiber sheet having a bulk density of 0.40 to 0.80 g/cm3 and a compression ratio of 40 to 75%, and thereafter subjecting the compressed, oxidized fiber sheet to a carbonizing treatment, which carbon fiber sheet has a thickness of 0.15 to 1.0 mm, a bulk density of 0.15 to 0.45 g/cm3, a carbon fiber content of 95% by mass or more, a compression deformation ratio of 10 to 35%, an electric resistance of 6 m&OHgr; or less and a feeling of 5 to 70 g.