Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum nitride body having graded metallurgy and a method for making such a body. The aluminum nitride body has at least one via and includes a first layer in direct contact with the aluminum nitride body and a second layer in direct contact with, and that completely encapsulates, the first layer. The first layer includes 30 to 60 volume percent aluminum nitride and 40 to 70 volume percent tungsten and/or molybdenum while the second layer includes 90 to 100 volume percent of tungsten and/or molybdenum and 0 to 10 volume percent of aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes a filter that prevents ingestion of foreign material such as dross from molten metal within which the pump is immersed. The filter is a large structure that is secured to the base of the pump surrounding the pump's inlet. The filter forms a cavity adjacent the pump's inlet. The ratio of the surface area of the filter to the inlet area of the pump is very large due in part to a corrugated end wall included as part of the filter. The filter has a low porosity while maintaining a high flow rate for the pump.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a hybrid reinforcement material comprising a refractory metal core having a first coating comprising aluminum, oxygen and nitrogen, this coating of the general formula:Al.sub.x O.sub.y N.sub.zwhereinx is up to about 670 atomic % of the coatingy is from about 20 atomic % to about 55 atomic % ofthe coating; andz is from about 5 atomic % to about 45 atomic % of the coating, with the proviso that x+y+z=100, and having a second SiC coating.The subject invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite containing the hybrid reinforcement specified above.

Abstract: A process for producing a sintered AlN ceramic body by mixing an organic solution comprising a hydrocarbon solvent and an organometallic compound with AlN powder to produce a slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry to form a mixture of organometallic compound and AlN, forming the mixture into a shape, and heating the shape in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to sintering temperature to obtain densification.

Abstract: A porous ceramic body of high structural strength and integrity is disclosed, along with the method of fabricating such, whereby a curable resin and a sinterable ceramic are mixed and then admixed to removable pore formers, then consolidated into a green body, the pore formers removed, and sintered into the porous ceramic body.

Abstract: A method of producing near net shape fusion cast refractories. The method includes the steps of continuously introducing refractory particles into a melting furnace, rapidly heating the particles, depositing the heated particles into a melt pool, continuously introducing the molten material into a mold, and continuously withdrawing a solidified body from the mold as the molten material continually solidifies. The above stated method produces a fusion cast refractory having a generally random, fine, uniform microstructure; uniform chemistry; and generally evenly distributed closed pores.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a coated reinforcement material comprising a SiC reinforcement having a coating of at least three layers, wherein the layers are alternately A-material layers of the general formula:Al.sub.x O.sub.y N.sub.zwherein x is up to about 60 atomic % of the coating;y is from about 20 atomic % to about 55 atomic % of the coating; andz is from about 5 atomic % to about 45 atomic % of the coating, with the proviso that x+y+z=100, and B-material layers comprising a metal alloy, such that the first and last layers of the coating are A-material layers. The invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite containing the above-specified coated reinforcement.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of high purity, ultra-fine aluminum nitride powder by the carbo-nitridization of alumina. Agglomerates uniform in both size, chemical composition and porosity are formed containing a stoichiometric mixture of alumina and carbon with the addition of a small amount of catalyst. The agglomerates are furnaced in a controlled manner in a well-mixed reaction vessel to achieve a uniform and consistent level of conversion. Milling of the as-reacted agglomerates under a controlled atmosphere will produce high purity, micron sized aluminum nitride powder.

Abstract: A method employed by an expert system for batch scheduling the multiple-pass manufacture of a plurality of parts (12) by at least one parts process (22), where the parts (12) have a plurality of delivery dates and the parts (12) and parts processor (22) have a plurality of production constraints variable during manufacture, includes creating a knowledge base of select characteristics of the parts processor and parameters of the parts, and generating a plurality of rules expressing a scheduling and planning strategy that substantially satisfies parts delivery dates, substantially maximizes use of the parts processor, substantially maximizes part throughput, substantially minimizes energy utilization of the parts processor and meets the production constraints. Parts (12) suitable for simultaneous processing by the parts processor are combined into all possible preferred combinations by applying a first plurality of the rules to the knowledge base.

Abstract: A process for the sintering of a body comprising silicon carbide and a boron-containing material, which comprises heating the body to an effective sintering temperature in the presence of nitrogen; removing the nitrogen by evacuation to a pressure of less than 10.sup.-2 mbar; and continuing the sintering under vacuum or in the presence of an inert gas other than nitrogen. The invention also describes a sintered body comprising silicon carbide and a boron-containing material, having a density of at least 96% of its theoretical maximum density, in which the body contains less than 0.7% w of free carbon, and has a mean silicon carbide grain size of less than 5 microns.

Abstract: A laminate having high strength and excellent resistance to moisture comprised of a fiberglass reinforced polyester panel adhesively attached with a water reactive adhesive to a tempered hardboard panel.

Abstract: A facilitated liquid membrane for the separation of olefins from a gaseous feed stream comprises a porous support structure (10, 15) and a liquid membrane which comprises an aqueous solution containing a metal salt facilitator capable of coordinating with olefin gases, and an alkyl carbonate co-solvent. A process for the separation of olefins from gaseous feed streams comprises the steps of passing a gaseous feed stream over one side of a facilitated liquid membrane according to the present invention and collecting the olefins on the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a membrane for the selective separation of at least one component of a gaseous feed stream comprising a porous membrane, having pores of from about 10 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms, the pores containing a facilitator liquid having an affinity for the at least one component to be selectively separated, the membrane being capable of operating at a transmembrane pressure of about 100 psig to about 1000 psig, and the membrane comprising a polymer, a solvent, an alcohol non-solvent, and a viscosity enhancer and pore former.

Abstract: A sensor and method for measuring the concentration of alcohol in an alcohol-hydrocarbon mixture for use with flexible fuel vehicles. The sensor and method are characterized by a pair of detectors or sensing elements which detect absorbance of two different wavelength bands of energy transmitted through the fuel. The first wavelength band is absorbed by the alcohol and substantially unabsorbed by the hydrocarbons and other non-alcohols in the fuel mixture. The second or reference wavelength band is selected where the absorbance of alcohols and hydrocarbons is essentially the same and preferably essentially zero. The output of the two detectors or sensing elements is ratioed to provide a signal representative of the alcohol content of the fuel mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing elements are included in a differential thermopile.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing perforate, fibre-reinforced, composite material, comprising the steps of laying up reinforcing fibres and resin in a mould having needles, the mould including a stripper plate having perforations into which the needles pass when the mould is assembled; curing the resin; and withdrawing the composite from the mould along with the stripper plate.

Abstract: A molten metal filter includes a refractory plate having an opening therethrough. A refractory filter element is attached to the refractory plate and projects therefrom, the exterior surfaces of the filter element generally defining a rectangular prism. The filter element is hollow so as to define an interior cavity. The filter element includes an opening in that portion of the filter element that is attached to the refractory plate, the opening surrounding the opening in the refractory plate such that fluid communication is established between the cavity and the opening in the refractory plate. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of filter elements are provided, which filter elements are connected to the refractory plate such that adjacent sides of the filter elements are oriented vertically and are disposed generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effecting mass or heat transfer between the bulk of a fluid and a transfer surface boundary layer comprises a conduit having transverse baffles spaced apart from the transfer surface such that vortex mixing is induced in fluid passed along the conduit in pulsed flow. The transfer surface may be a membrane suitable for microfiltration, ultrafiltration or pervaporation.

Abstract: A crystalline material having, in the dehydrated form the empirical formula:m(M.sub.2/a O): X.sub.z O.sub.xz/2 : yYO.sub.2 (I)in which m is 0.5 to 1.5; M is a cation of valency a; X is a metal of valency x, selected from aluminium, boron, gallium zinc, iron and titanium; z is 2 when x is an odd number, an z is 1 when x is an even number; y is at least 5; and Y is silicon or germanium; and having, in the calcined hydrogen form, an X-ray diffraction pattern including significant peaks substantially as shown in table I herein. The material has been designated SUZ-4.

Abstract: Multilayered high barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer functionalized for compatibility with the gas barrier polymer and so as to allow the polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered high barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier film.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a coated reinforcement material comprising a reinforcement having a coating or the general formula:A.sub.x Si.sub.100-xwherein A is selected from the group consisting of Au, Pt, Ru, Rh,Ni, Pd, Ir and combinations thereof; andx is within the range of greater than zero to about 40.The invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite comprising a matrix material and a reinforcement material having a coating comprising silicon in combination with at least one of gold, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, nickel, iridium and palladium.