Abstract: A flotation process for recovering feldspar from a feldspar containing feed material is disclosed. The process includes forming an aqueous suspension of a feldspar containing feed material, in the absence of hydrofluoric acid, wherein the suspension includes from 0.004 to 0.3% wt. of a flotation reagent including: (a) one or more amines, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, including 8 to 50 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof; and (b) one or more primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, including 8 to 50 carbon atoms; the ratio of (a) to (b) ranging from 500:1 to 1:40 by weight. The process further includes agitating the obtained suspension to produce a feldspar containing fraction, and separating the feldspar containing fraction.

Abstract: A composition suitable for firing to obtain a ceramic material therefrom may include from about 1 to about 40 wt. % based on the total dry weight of the composition a first particulate material having a Mohs hardness of at least about 8.5 and a d50 of from about 7 ?m to about 500 ?m. The composition may include at least about 50 wt. % based on the total dry weight of the composition a second particulate material comprising alumina. The composition may include from 0 to about 10 wt. % based on the total dry weight of the composition a sintering aid. A green body or ceramic material may be formed from the composition. Ballistic armor may be formed from the composition or may include the ceramic material.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic body comprises a) mixing a coated porogen with a silicate or a oxide ceramic precursor, wherein the porogen is decomposable to gaseous decomposition products and optionally solid products upon heating, and is coated with a coating agent; b) forming a green body from the mixture obtained in step (a); and c) firing the green body obtained in step (b) to obtain the ceramic body, whereby the porogen decomposes to form pores within the ceramic body and the coating agent is deposited at the inner surface of the pores. The porogen is coated with a coating agent which, upon firing, is deposited at the inner surface of the ceramic pores, so that porous ceramics having decreased weight and improved porosity are obtained, while maintaining at the same time good mechanical strength. A green body and a porous ceramic body obtainable with the above-mentioned process are described too.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic body may include: a) mixing a coated porogen with a silicate or an oxide ceramic precursor, wherein the porogen is decomposable to gaseous decomposition products and optionally solid products upon heating, and is coated with a coated agent; b) forming a green body from the mixture obtained in step (a); and c) firing the green body obtained in step (b) to obtain the ceramic body, whereby the porogen decomposes to form pores within the ceramic body, and the coating agent is deposited at the inner surface of the pores. The porogen may be coated with a coating agent which, upon firing, is deposited at the inner surface of the ceramic pores, so that porous ceramics having decreased weight and improved porosity are obtained, while maintaining good mechanical strength. A green body and porous ceramic body obtainable with the above-mentioned process are also described.

Abstract: A flotation process for recovering feldspar from a feldspar containing feed material, comprising the following steps: (1) forming an aqueous suspension of a feldspar containing feed material, in the absence of hydrofluoric acid, wherein the suspension comprises from 0.004 to 0.3% wt. of a flotation reagent comprising: (a) one or more amines, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, comprising 8 to 50 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof; and (b) one or more primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, comprising 8 to 50 carbon atoms; the ratio of (a) to (b) ranging from 500:1 to 1:40 by weight; (2) agitating the obtained suspension to produce a feldspar containing fraction, and (3) separating the feldspar containing fraction.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic body comprises a) mixing a coated porogen with a silicate or an oxide ceramic precursor, wherein the porogen is decomposable to gaseous decomposition products and optionally solid products upon heating, and is coated with a coating agent; b) forming a green body from the mixture obtained in step (a); and c) firing the green body obtained in step (b) to obtain the ceramic body, whereby the porogen decomposes to form pores within the ceramic body and the coating agent is deposited at the inner surface of the pores. The porogen is coated with a coating agent which, upon firing, is deposited at the inner surface of the ceramic pores, so that porous ceramics having decreased weight and improved porosity are obtained, while maintaining at the same time good mechanical strength. A green body and a porous ceramic body obtainable with the above-mentioned process are described too.