Abstract: The well known slip casting process for the production of ceramic green parts, in which hardening is achieved by water removal with porous molds, is characterized by disadvantages in terms of strength, shrinkage during drying and problems with cracking during drying. The present invention avoids these disadvantages and produces ceramic green parts by changing the surface potential of powder particles in the slip instead of by removing water. Further more the coagulation strength is increased by adding polymers or extremely fine divided colloidal particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sintered shaped body comprising a matrix material that contains an aluminum oxide/chromium oxide mixed crystal and an additional mixed crystal selected from at least one mixed crystal according to one of the general formulas La0.9Al11.76−xCrxO19, Me1Al11−xCrxO17, Me2Al12−xCrxO19, Me2′Al12−xCrxO19 and/or Me3Al11−xCrxO18, wherein Me1 stands for an alkali metal, Me2 represents an alkaline earth metal, Me2′ stands for cadmium, lead or mercury and Me3 represents a rare earth metal and x has a value ranging from 0.0007 to 0.045.

Abstract: Prostheses with artificial joints have only a few metallic and ceramic materials whose compatibility with human or animal tissue has been established. These materials, however, cannot be combined with one another in any manner if a friction pairing occurs as a result, for example, in the case of artificial joints. With artificial joints, joint partners are required to have good mechanical properties as well as tribological properties. According to the invention, a sintered material is thus provided which is comprised of zircon oxide with an addition of 0.1 to 40 wt. % aluminum oxide. This sintered material enables an artificial joint of a prosthesis whose other ceramic materials are comprised of aluminum oxide or zircon oxide with the given proportions of aluminum oxide to be assembled with joint partners.

Abstract: A knee-joint prosthesis comprising a tibial component fixed to the proximal tibia, a femoral component fixed to the distal femur, the femoral component having condylar bearing sections which cooperate in an articulated manner with tibial bearing sections of said tibial component, and an anterior plate section of said femoral component which touches the patella or a patella component fixed to the patella.

Abstract: A hip-joint socket of a hip-joint endoprosthesis is provided, in which the bearing shell of the socket that mounts the ball head of the shaft is made of a ceramic material. The bearing shell (2) of the hip-joint socket (1; 11), in the region of its surface (4) with which it is inserted into the hip bone, is covered with a coating (5; 15) that is made of a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible metal alloy.

Abstract: A knee-joint endoprosthesis includes a metallic femoral part (2) anchored in the femur that articulates with a tibial part anchored in the tibia bone, the articulating surface of the femoral part (2) being a ceramic structural member (3) that is connected to the femoral part (2) in a mechanically stable manner. The attachment of the ceramic structural member (3) to the femoral part (2), can be accomplished by using a conical clamping device, by use of a fixing screw, by shrinking, soldering or welding it on, or by vapor deposition or spray application.

Abstract: A monolithic multi-layer actuator includes a sintered stack of thin films of piezoceramic material with metallic internal electrodes which lead out of the stack (2) in alternate directions and are connected electrically in parallel by way of external electrodes, with the external electrodes on the contact sides of the stack consisting of an applied basic metallisation and being connected to electrical connection elements preferably by way of soldering. In order to avoid failures of the actuator during dynamic loads it is suggested that an electroconductive electrode which is structured to be three-dimensional in structure be arranged between the basic metal lining and the connection elements, which electrode is connected to the basic metallisation by way of partial contact points and is constructed to be expandable between the contact points.

Abstract: The well known slip casting process for the production of ceramic green parts, in which hardening is achieved by water removal with porous molds, is characterized by disadvantages in terms of strength, shrinkage during drying and problems with cracking during drying. The present invention avoids these disadvantages and produces ceramic green parts by changing the surface potential of powder particles in the slip instead of by removing water. Further more the coagulation strength is increased by adding polymers or extremely fine divided colloidal particles.

Abstract: An electric high-voltage insulator made from plastic comprises at least one glass fiber rod (1), at least one shield covering (2) made from silicone rubber which surrounds the glass fiber rod (1) and has concentric bulges (3) arranged along the longitudinal axis and bent in the shape of sheds in such a way that they form a convex top side and a concave or flat underside, as well as metal fittings (5) on both insulator ends. In this case, the bulges bent in the shape of sheds have at least one groove (4) on the underside preferably with a minimum depth of 1 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical isolator having at least one fitting cemented onto an insulating body, in which the insulating body is bonded to the fitting via a cement shell, wherein a laminated layer which contains at least two layers of different materials is applied on the fitting between the cement shell and the fitting, wherein at least one of the layers protects the fitting from corrosion and wherein at least one other layer permits movement between the cement shell and the fitting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a flat slide valve with incorporation of at least one inlet disk in a housing or in at least one element of a housing, wherein the inlet disk is joined to the housing or to at least one element of the housing by forcelocking, formlocking and/or bonding. The invention further provides a flat slide valve having at least one sealing disk, in which at least one of the sealing disks is incorporated into an element of the flat slide valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee-joint endoprosthesis with a femoral part anchored in the femur and a tibial plate connected to the tibia bone, on which tibial plate tibial parts are arranged by way of gliding surfaces, and preferably with meniscus elements disposed between the femoral part and the tibial parts. With a view to mechanically stable anchorage of the tibial part on the tibial plate that may optionally be subsequently released, even at the implanted joint, so that the tibial part can be exchanged, it is proposed that the tibial part or parts are detachably connected to the tibial plate by wedging, screwing and/or bracing.

Abstract: A plastic composite insulator (1) including a shank (2) and at least one shield and caps (19), in which the shank comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic core (3) and, around this core, a jacket (5) of a shielding sheath (4) and in which the shielding sheath is formed by the jacket and at least one shield (6) running spirally around the shank, wherein the shielding sheath is formed in one part and without joints.