Abstract: A ceramic body comprising a crystal phase of aluminum titanate in an amount of 50 to 95% by weight, and a glass phase in an amount of 5 to 50% by weight. The inventive ceramic body may include a second crystal phase, for example mullite in an amount of up to 40% by weight. The glass is an aluminosilicate including, in weight percent on an oxide basis, of 50–90 SiO2, 1–25 Al2O3, 0.5–10 TiO2, 0.5–20 R2O, where R is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Ru, Cs, Fr, and 0.5–20 R?O, where R? is selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Ba, Ra, and wherein the ceramic body includes not more than 2% by weight Fe2O3.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate-based ceramic body having a composition a formula comprising a(Al2O3.TiO2)+b(CaO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+c(SrO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+d(BaO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+e(3Al2O3.2SiO2)+f(Al2O3)+g (SiO2)+h(Fe2O3.TiO2)+i(MgO.2TiO2), wherein a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and i are weight fractions of each component such that (a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i)=1, wherein 0.5<a?0.95; 0?b?0.5; 0?c?0.5; 0?d?0.5; 0<e?0.5; 0?f?0.5; 0?g?0.1; 0?h?0.3; 0?i?0.3; b+d>0.01. A method of forming the ceramic body is provided. The ceramic body is useful in automotive emissions control systems, such as diesel exhaust filtration.

Abstract: A method of preparing beta-spodumene bodies from a plastic batch comprised entirely of minerals, absent a glass component. The resulting structure has a stoichiometry of 1:1:4 (Li2O:Al2O3:SiO2) to 1:1:11 (Li2O:Al2O3:SiO2), and exhibits a low coefficient of thermal expansion, high porosity and high strength, and is suitable for automotive catalytic converter substrates requiring a fast light-off time. There is also provided a ceramic article having a solid-solution of beta-spodumene ranging in molar ratio from 1:1:4 Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 to 1:1:11 LiO2—Al2O3—SiO2 wherein a component selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide (MgO), manganese oxide (MnO), and cobalt oxide (CoO) is substituted for lithium oxide (LiO2) at 10 to 65 mole %, and optionally a minor phase of mullite (3Al2O3-2SiO2) in an amount of up to 50% by weight.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx in lean exhaust gases to N2 includes injecting a fuel into the exhaust gases and passing the exhaust gases and fuel mixture through a catalyst to reduce the NOx to N2. The catalyst may be (a) a perovskite compound, (b) at least one metal oxide impregnated with at least one precious metal, (c) a zeolite impregnated with at least one precious metal, or (d) a combination of a zeolite and at least one metal oxide impregnated with at least one precious metal.

Abstract: The invention provides a monolithic catalyst support for hydrogenation and hydrotreating and in particular for selective hydrogenation of pyrolysis gasoline. The monolithic catalyst includes (i) a multicellular monolith body, preferably having a honeycomb structure, most preferably a honeycomb structure made of cordierite, the honeycomb structure having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a multiplicity of mutually adjoining cells extending along the length of the body from the inlet end to the outlet end, the cells being separated from one another by porous walls, and, (ii) a coating consisting of theta alumina synthesized in situ on the multicellular monolith body. The in situ theta alumina is strongly bonded with the multicellular monolith body and comprises at least 50% by weight of the washcoat layer, and preferably greater than 90% by weight.

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gases including (1) a catalysis-promoting coating comprising a noble metal catalyst and a NOx storage component loaded onto a carrier material, wherein the NOx storage component comprises an alkali metal and, (2) a ceramic substrate for supporting the catalysis-promoting coating, wherein the ceramic substrate exhibits resistance to alkali metal migration below 1000° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 25×10?7/° C. (25-800° C.). A second aspect of, the invention is a process for purifying an exhaust gas from a lean burn engine involving simultaneously removing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by bringing the exhaust gas from a lean burn engine into contact with the exhaust gas purifying catalyst of the present invention disclosed above.

Abstract: A cordierite ceramic body having (i) a pore size distribution and a porosity which satisfy the relationship 10.2474/[(d50)2(pore fraction)]+0.0366183(d90)?0.00040119(d90)2+0.468815(1/pore fraction)2+0.0297715(d50)+1.61639(d50?d10)/d50?3.65, and (ii) a CTE (25°-800° C.) of ?15×10?7/° C., wherein the cordierite ceramic body is produced from a moldable mixture comprising cordierite-forming raw materials including (a) a fine talc having a median particle diameter, as measured by laser diffraction, of less than 10 micrometers, and a B.E.T. specific surface area of greater than 5 m2/g, and (b) a pore former. The cordierite ceramic body is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow diesel particulate filters having a low pressure drop, high filtration efficiency and improved strength.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a mullite-aluminum titanate porous diesel particulate filter constituting a porous ceramic body containing, expressed in terms of weight percent of the total body, of 60-90%, preferably 70-80%, most preferably 70% iron-aluminum titanate solid solution having a stoichiometry of Al2(1?x)Fe2xTiO5, where x is 0-0.1, and 10-40%, preferably 20-30%, most preferably 30% mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2), and consists essentially, expressed in terms of weigh percent on the oxide basis, of 3 to 15% SiO2, 55 to 65% Al2O3, 22 to 40% TiO2, and 0 to 10% Fe2O3, and being useful for filtration of diesel exhaust. The inventive diesel particulate filter exhibits high interconnected open porosity and large median pore size, in combination with high permeability when fired to a temperature of between 1650° to 1700° C., along with high thermal shock resistance and good filtration capability.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure which includes an inlet end and an outlet end opposing each other and a plurality of cell channels extending along an axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, the cell channels having non-equal, square cross-sections, and an extrusion die for making the same.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting NOx in exhaust gases from internal combustion engines to NH3 includes a perovskite material or a metal oxide impregnated with a noble metal, the metal oxide comprising at least one selected from Fe2O3, Cr2O3, MgO, La2O3, and CeO2, and the noble metal comprising at least one selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, and Ru.

Abstract: A particulate sealant for forming plugs in selected cells of honeycomb structures and consisting essentially, by weight, of about 70 to 90% ceramic blend, the ceramic blend being raw ceramic materials selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16% MgO, about 33 to 38% Al2O3, and about 49 to 54% SiO2, which will form cordierite (2MgO.2Al2O3.5SiO2) on firing, and about 10 to 30% binder system comprising a thermoplastic polymer capable of forming a gel or a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Compositions, articles and methods for making such articles are disclosed. The compositions, articles and methods include calcium aluminate materials having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: There is provided ceramic honeycomb body including a plurality of parallel cells defined by intersecting internal walls, and arranged in horizontal and vertical rows at and between opposing ends of the honeycomb body, an outer peripheral wall surrounding the cells, and further being interconnected to the internal walls, wherein the cells are divided into a first region including a portion of the cells adjacent the outer peripheral wall, and a second region including the remaining cells, wherein the cells in the first region have a wall thickness that is continuously increased along an axis extending to the outer peripheral wall, and, wherein fillets are formed at least at intersections between the interior walls in the first region of cells.

Abstract: An improvement in a process of making honeycomb articles, which process utilizes a co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extrusion apparatus to mix, screen, and extrude a batch of ceramic materials through a die, the improvement which comprises the steps of separating the mixing and screening phase from the extrusion phase, by passing the batch through a first co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder or a mixer extruder to mix and screen the batch, and then directly passing the mixed and screened batch through a second co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder or a pumping extruder to extrude said batch through a die assembly to produce a honeycomb article.

Abstract: Zeolite/alumina composite, and a method for making, the composite for use as a catalyst substrate or catalyst carrier and comprising zeolite having a silica/alumina ratio of greater than 300 and gamma alumina having a specific surface area of greater than 100 m2/g. The zeolite/alumina composite exhibits a modulus of rupture of at least 750 psi. Additionally, the invention is also directed at a three catalyst (TWC) system for use in the removal of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen from waste gas, the TWC system comprising the following components: (1) a zeolite/alumina composite catalyst support exhibiting a modulus of rupture of at least 750 psi and having a zeolite with a silica/zeolite ratio of at least 300 and the alumina comprising a gamma alumina having a specific surface area of greater than 100 m2/g; and, (2) a noble metal catalyst impregnated on the catalyst support, the noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, iridium and palladium.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic that exhibits an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) below about 5.0×10−7° C.−1, a total porosity between the range of 20% to about 30%. Furthermore, the sintered ceramic article exhibits a pore size distribution such that at least about 86% of pores are of a pore size of less than about 2 &mgr;m. Lastly, the ceramic article exhibits an interconnected pore structure with the pores exhibiting a generally elongated shape, i.e., the pores are predominately oriented with their long axis in the plane of the webs. This invention also relates to a method for producing a sintered cordierite ceramic article involving first compounding and plasticizing a cordierite-forming inorganic powder batch comprising a platy talc having median particle of size less than about 2 &mgr;m, and preferably a talc morphology index greater than about 0.75.

Abstract: A ceramic structure which is pollucite-based and has high refractoriness and high resistance to thermal shock. The inventive structure is suitable in high temperature applications such as a filtering particulates from diesel engine exhaust.

Abstract: Composite cordierite honeycomb structures especially suitable for diesel exhaust filtration applications comprise a non-oxide polycrystalline phase constituting 10-70% by weight, with the remainder of the ceramic material constituting a cordierite phase, the non-oxide polycrystalline phase being selected from the group consisting of carbides, nitrides, and borides. Preferably the non-oxide phase is either polycrystalline silicon carbide or polycrystalline silicon nitride and has a particle aspect ratio of less than 3. Inventive ceramic bodies are porous with an open porosity of at least 30%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and a median pore size of at least 5 micrometers, more preferably greater than 8 micrometers and less than 12 micrometers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing the strength of ceramic honeycomb structures are described. The apparatus includes a chamber that utilizes a flexible, generally cylindrical member including integral flanges to apply compressive force to the periphery of the honeycomb structure. According to some embodiments, a portable apparatus with an open chamber is provided to allow for rapid testing of multiple honeycomb structures.

Abstract: A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg2Al4Si5O18 and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) of greater than 4×10?7/° C. and less than 13×10?7/° C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)>24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9-0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm3 and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm?3 K?1 as measured at 500° C.

Abstract: Truss systems and components thereof for use in connection with supporting rock formations in underground mines, caverns, storage vaults, and so forth. Multiple types of truss brackets of unique design are incorporated in the various systems which also include tensioning tie rods and anchor bolts. The truss bracket components are designed so that a minimum or no force couples are exhibited when the tie rods employed are tightened down in their interconnection between associated truss brackets. Various truss systems accommodate mine entries, two-way, three-way, and four-way passageway configurements, and so forth. Additionally, provision is made for intercoupling trusses together.