Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of structural hybrid thermoplastic composites where organic and inorganic fibers are well dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix. The process comprises defibrillating the organic fibers with or without the presence of surface active agents using a mixer at a high shear and at a temperature lower than the decomposition temperature of organic fibers and melting point of the surface active agents to separate the hydrogen bonded fibers and generate microfibers, followed by blending and dispersion of the organic fibers in the thermoplastic matrix to produce a fiber composite, followed by further blending and dispersion of the fiber composite with inorganic fibers at a low shear to get the moldable hybrid composite, followed by extrusion, injection or compression-injection molding. Low shear mixing maintains the inorganic fiber length.

Abstract: To present a brick the density of which is great, that is high strength, and that exhibits a superior radiation shielding effect, and a manufacturing method for this. A brick in which by firing clay into which ferrite powder has been mixed at a proportion of 60 wt % after being formed into a specified shape, the density after firing has been made 3.5 g/cm3 and the radiation shielding effect has been enhanced is obtained. For the ferrite powder, one that is expressed by the compositional formula: AO·nX2O3 (however, it should be noted that in said compositional formula, A is one type or more of an element selected from among Mg, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Sr, Ba, or Pb, X is one type or more of an element selected from among Fe, Co, or Ni, and n is a mol ratio that is defined as an integer from 1 to 9) is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to the building material industry and to the use of labor saving tools of industrial continuous and batch brick kilns. Said invention makes it possible to develop a process for producing large-sized clay ceramic products consisting in carrying out rapid and high-quality baking and to accelerate a construction process. The inventive method for producing a clay house or another clay construction consists in forming, during construction, through and blind voids in a wall and a ceiling in such a way that they are closed with a noncombustible material from outside, in covering window and door apertures in the ready clay construction with a noncombustible material, and in baking the construction to a ceramic state in such a way that hot gas penetrates into the voids and that the body of the product is uniformly heated. During baking the construction is used in the form of a furnace (combustion chamber).

Abstract: A method for production of ceramic slabs comprising a mixture of atomised ceramic powders and a mixture of alpha hematites.

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: A colorant is combined with a liquid and incorporated into a brick additive comprising an interconnected porosity. The colorant may comprise at least one of a dye and pigment comprising a metal cation and preferably penetrates the interconnected pores of the brick additive. Application of the colorant to the additive enables the additive to exhibit substantially the same color as a matrix material in finished bricks incorporating the additive. Ideally, the colorant is capable of withstanding temperatures up to about 1,350° C. without a substantial loss of color imparting properties. The additive may comprise at least one of a phyllosilicate clay mineral, a zeolite and a diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: A method of making a product which is generally impervious to water including the steps of making a generally homogenous mixture of slate particles and clay, wetting the mixture as necessary to produce a formable composition, forming the wet mixture to a desired configuration, at least partially drying the formed mixture and subjecting the dried formed mixture to a temperature of at least 1100° C. for a time sufficient for at least some of the clay to convert into a binder to bind together the slate particles.

Abstract: A method of making a product which is generally impervious to water including the steps of making a generally homogenous mixture of slate particles and clay, setting the mixture as necessary to produce a formable composition, forming the wet mixture to a desired configuration, at least partially drying the formed mixture and subjecting the dried formed mixture to a temperature of at least 1145° C. for a time sufficient for at least some of the clay to convert into a binder to bind together the slate particles.

Abstract: Composition whereby ceramic manufactured articles, obtained by moulding a conventional ceramic mixture without added TiO2., are colored from yellow to orange, said composition consisting of an aqueous solution of inorganic compounds or organic complexes of titanium and chromium combined with antimony or tungsten or mixtures thereof, in quantities corresponding to 2 to 6% by wt. Ti, 3 to 12% Sb (or 4 to 14% tungsten) and 0.2 to 2.5% chromium.

Abstract: Composition for coloring ceramic articles obtained from ceramic mass containing TiO.sub.2 as such, in shades ranging from yellow to orange, consisting of an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution to be applied to the surface to colored before final firing and containing soluble compounds of chromium/antimony or of chromium/zinc or chromium/zirconium or chromium/manganese mixtures.