Abstract: Glaze composition for use on bone china and fine china which is essentially free from lead and cadium comprises, by weight, SiO.sub.2 :35 to 60%, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 :5 to 45%, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :5 to 20%, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 :1 to 15%, at least one of CaO, MgO, SrO or BaO:2 to 20%, at least one of Li.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O, K.sub.2 O:1 to 10%, and certain other optional ingredients, with the proviso that BaO is not contained in an amount of more than 2% by weight.

Abstract: A liquid composition for the surface treatment of architectural lead includes at least 10% by weight based on the total weight, of the composition, of an alkyd resin; a solvent for the alkyd resin; and from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of a phosphate ester of a phenol ethoxylate in acid or salt form.

Abstract: A flux composition comprising at least one benzoate or substituted benzoate of phenol or of a substituted phenol, such as cresyl benzoate or 2,6-dimethylphenyl benzoate, a solvent for the benzoate, and a flux-activating agent, the benzoate being present in an amount not more than its limit of solubility in the solvent.

Abstract: A curing composition for curing a polysulphide polymer, which composition comprises as the curing agent sodium birnessite, Na.sub.4 Mn.sub.14 O.sub.27.9H.sub.2 O.A process for the preparation of sodium birnessite comprises the steps of adding excess in the range of from 25% to 225% of a solution of sodium hydroxide to a solution of manganese (II) chloride or manganese (II) sulphate to form a slurry of manganese (II) hydroxide and passing air free of carbon dioxide therethrough for at least 3 hours or oxygen for 1.5 hours, these steps being carried out at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A ceramic material which comprises a composite of zirconia and O'-/.beta.'-sialon wherein the volume ratio of O'-sialon to .beta.'-sialon is in the range of from 1:7 to 7:1, preferably from 1:3 to 3:1.

Abstract: A smoke suppressant additive for halogenated polymer compositions which consists of a mixture of from 30 to 70% by weight of zinc oxide and from 70 to 30% by weight of caustic calcined magnesium oxide with the addition thereto of up to 20% by weight of finely divided silica based upon the total weight of the zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, the mixture having being subjected to calcination at a temperature in the range of from 700.degree. to 1100.degree. C. for a period of time of from 1 to 6 hours.The additive is incorporated into halogenated polymers in an amount of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably about 2.5% by weight.

Abstract: Thiophene derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are certain specified substituent groups can be homopolymerized or copolymerized to form polymers which are electroconductive. These polymers find many uses, for example, as EMI/RF shielding materials, in electrochromic display systems, as antistatics, as ion and pH sensors, as battery electrode materials etc.

Abstract: A copolymer of an aniline monomer of the general formula: ##STR1## where R and R' are certain specified substituents with another aniline monomer of formula I, the copolymer including counterions X therein. These copolymers are electroconductive.

Abstract: An inorganic powdery or granular material which is coated with a coating of an inherently conductive polymeric material, such as a conductive polypyrrole or substituted polypyrrole, a polythiophene or substituted polythiophene, a polyaniline or substituted polyaniline, a polyethylene oxide or an aniline copolymer. The material which is coated is talc, mica, wollastonite, calcium carbonate, aluminium hydroxide, clay or hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: A lead-free alloy for joining and sealing which is useful as a plumbing solder comprises from 0.08 to 20% by weight of bismuth, from 0.02 to 1.5% by weight of copper, from 0.01 to 1.5% by weight of silver, from 0 to 0.10 percent by weight of phosphorus, from 0 to 0.20% of a rare earth mixture and the balance tin, together with incidental impurities. The alloy has a similar pasty range (i.e. melting temperature and melting range) to the traditional tin-lead plumbing solders.

Abstract: A triazine derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group or an aryl group, X is S, Se or Te,n or m is 0, or each is an integer of from 1 to 3, the total sum of n+m not being greater than 3, and p or q is 0, or each is an integer of from 1 to 3, the total sum of p+q not being greater than 3. The triazines may be used in photopolymerizable compositions.

Abstract: A pigment which comprises crystallites of iron oxide having an average particle size of less than 100 nanometers doped with from 10% to 80% by weight of aluminium as Al.sup.3+ based on the weight of iron, having the general formula (Al.sub.x Fe.sub.2-x)O.sub.3, where x=0.34 to 1.24 and having an orange color with the following color measurements:L (Lightness)>45.degree.C (Strength)>40.degree.H (Hue) 50.degree. to 60.degree.A pigment precursor composition is also provided which, on firing, produces the pigment as defined above.

Abstract: A method of preventing glaze defects occurring when using pigments which are provided by inclusion in zirconium silicate (zircon) comprises the incorporation into the glaze composition of an additive which is zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, arsenic trioxide, antimony trioxide, ceric oxide, or a mixture thereof, or a precursor therefor in an amount sufficient to reduce or prevent glaze defects.

Abstract: A ceramic material which comprises a composite of zirconia and O'-sialon or silicon oxynitride.The ceramic material may comprise a dispersion of zirconia in an O'-sialon matrix and such a dispersion is obtained when the amount of zirconia is from 5 to 30 volume percent, preferably 15 to 25 volume percent, based on the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: A method of applying an enamel coating (14 and 15) to an apertured (11) metal base (10) is characterized by plugging the or each aperture with an electrically insulating material (12), applying a coating (14, 15) of a vitreous material to one or both surfaces (13 and 16) of the base and then removing a core (18) of the vitreous material and the insulating material from the or each apertures to leave it lined with insulating material during subsequent firing of the vitreous material.By this means, thinning of vitreous material around the aperture is avoided, reducing the likelihood of electrical connection between the metal base and an electrical conductor extending through the aperture. The invention has particular application to the manufacture of electrical printed circuits.