Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal matrix composite material containing high thermal stability polymer fibers, comprising the steps of: (1) providing high thermal stability polymer fibers; (2) providing a liquid-phase metal; (3) mixing the liquid-phase metal and the high thermal stability fibers; and (4) allowing the liquid-phase metal to solidify and form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: An inexpensive light weight system for attaching, supporting and suspending an item on or from a host surface without the need for tools to secure said item. The system comprises: (1) a base member attached to a host surface, the base member having a means for receiving a removable spacer member; (2) the spacer member having a first end for manually securing to the base and a second end opposite the first end which is provided with a means for receiving a coupling means, the spacer member being capable of damping vibrational energy originating with the host surface; and (3) the coupling means for manually attaching the item to the second end of the spacer member.

Abstract: A known "spark cup process" may be operated without the spark cup if the violent fluctuations in the melt surface with which the electric arc is struck are accommodated so as to allow the electric arc to be maintained substantially continuously. Controlling the dynamic profile of the melt surface without a spark cup allows continuous operation of the electric arc which generates enough plasma to permit addition of as much as 1000 lb/hr of a spray of superheated feed material to a flowing stream of melt which assimilates the feed material.

Abstract: A ceramic composition for forming a ceramic dielectric body having a dielectric constant of less than about 4.2 and a TCE of less than about 4.0 ppm/c. The composition comprises a mixture of finely divided particles of 25-50 weight percent borosilicate glass and 50-75 weight percent high silica glass and 1-25 weight percent sufficient of crystalline ceramic material to inhibit the formation of crystalline forms of silica. The high silica glass contains essentially 0.5-1 wt. % alumina, 1-5 wt. % B.sub.2 O and approximately 95-98 wt. % SiO.sub.2. The mixture is fired at a temperature of less than 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic composition for forming a ceramic dielectric body having a dielectric constant of less than about 4.2. The composition is formed from a mixture of finely divided particles of 25-50 vol. % borosilicate glass and 50-75 vol. % high silica glass. The borosilicate glass comprises approximately 20-35 wt. % B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and approximately 60-80 wt. % SiO.sub.2. The high silica glass contains essentially 0.5-1 wt. % alumina, 1-5 wt. % B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and approximately 95-98 wt. % SiO.sub.2. The composition can be fired at a temperature of less than 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic material and a method of forming a ceramic material which possesses a high impact resistance. The material comprises: (a) a first continuous phase of .beta.-SiC; and (b) a second phase of about 25-40 vol % TiB.sub.2. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is preferably used as a densification aid. The material is formed by hot-pressing the mixture at a temperature from greater than about 1800.degree. C. to less than the transition temperature of .beta.-SiC to .alpha.-SiC. The hot-pressing is performed at a pressure of about 2000 psi to about 4000 psi in an inert atmosphere for several hours and results in the formation of a two phase sintered ceramic composite material.

Abstract: An improved method of treating an ingot to be made into lithoplate. The method also includes homogenizing and hot and cold rolling the ingot, heating the sheet to cause the formation of crystalline oxides on the surface and then cold rolling the sheet to a finished gauge workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal matrix composite comprising randomly oriented polymer fibers and a metal alloy surrounding the polymer fiber. The composite is formed by the method of manufacturing comprising the steps of: (1) providing polymer fibers; (2) providing a liquid-phase metal; (3) mixing the liquid-phase metal and the polymer fibers; and (4) allowing the liquid-phase metal to solidify and form a metal matrix composite. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer fibers are liquid crystal polymer fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for filtering liquid-phase metal. The method comprises the steps of: (1) establishing a bath of liquid-phase metal; (2) providing a conduit connecting the bath to a filtering means; and (3) producing a magnetic field within the conduit to produce axial flow of the liquid-phase metal within the conduit to transfer at least a portion of the liquid-phase metal to the filtering means and cause at least a portion of the liquid-phase metal to flow through the filtering means.

Abstract: A method for continuously monitoring and/or controlling the cooling capacity of a liquid coolant containing gas bubbles. The method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the size and number density of the gas bubbles it he liquid coolant by use of a sensor means to infer a heat transfer characteristic of the liquid coolant; and (b) varying the amount of gas that is being mixed with the liquid coolant so that the inferred heat transfer characteristic is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsintered SiAlON material by carbothermic reaction without the use of contaminating transition metal oxides to increase the rate of reaction. The process includes providing small quantities of SiAlON crystals which seed the reaction. The phase of the SiAlON seed crystals will determine the phase of the SiAlON produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of casting a melt into an ingot possessing a fine grain structure. The apparatus comprises (1) a casting mold for holding a reservoir of melt; (2) a partition means located in the melt for dividing the melt into a melt supply reservoir located on a first side of the partition means and a solidification reservoir on a second side of the partition means, the partition means having a communication means for permitting melt to flow from the melt supply reservoir to the solidification reservoir, the partition preventing turbulence from the solidification reservoir to be transferred to the surface of the melt; and (3) means for stirring the portion of the melt located in the solidification reservoir. The means for stirring provides nuclei for grain refinement of the ingot.

Abstract: A process for producing chlorides by the chlorination of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminous materials and metal and metalloid oxides in the presence of a reductant. The method comprises calcining a carbonaceous material with added steam to oxidize substantially all precursors of chlorinated hydrocarbons and to form a reductant; and chlorinating a material selected from the group consisting of aluminous materials and metal oxides in the presence of the reductant.