Abstract: A method of making refractory alkaline earth silicate fibres from a melt, including the use as an intended component of alkali metal to improve the mechanical properties of the fibre in comparison with a fibre free of alkali metal.

Abstract: Thermal insulation comprises sol-gel formed fibers comprising 10 to 99 mol % of a refractory base composition, and 1 to 90 mol % of a component selected from earth metal oxides, alkali metal oxides, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said alkaline earth metal oxides if present comprise one or more of calcium oxide, strontium oxide, barium oxide or a mixture thereof. The refractory base comprises SiO2 and Al2O3.

Abstract: Melt formed inorganic fibers are disclosed having the composition:— Al2O3 5-90 mol % K2O 5-90 mol % SiO2 5-90 mol % in which SiO2+Al2O3+K2O>=50 mol %. Fibers of like composition having K2O greater than 12 mol % are also encompassed.

Abstract: A method of making refractory alkaline earth silicate fibers from a melt, including the use as an intended component of alkali metal to improve the mechanical properties of the fiber in comparison with a fiber free of alkali metal.

Abstract: A flow field plate for a fuel cell or electrolyser comprises on at least one face an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, one or more gas removal channels, and a permeable wall separating same. The permeable wall may comprise a plurality of gas diffusion channels.

Abstract: Melt formed inorganic fibres are disclosed having the compositions: —Al2O3 10.2-55.5 mol % K2O 12-37.1 mol % SiO2 17.7-71.4 mol % B2O3 0.1-10 mol % in which SiO2+Al2O3+K2O>=77.7 mol % and with the total constituents not exceeding 100 mol %. with optionally MgO 0.1-10 mol %.

Abstract: Thermal insulation is provided for use in applications requiring continuous resistance to temperatures of 1260° C. without reaction with alumino-silicate firebricks, the insulation comprises fibers having a composition in wt % 65%<SiO2<86% MgO<10% 14%<CaO<28% Al2O3<2% ZrO2<3% B2O3<5% P2O5<5% 72%<SiO2+ZrO2+B2O3+5*P2O5 95%<SiO2+CaO+MgO+Al2O3+ZrO2+B2O3+P2O5 Addition of elements selected from the group Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y or mixtures thereof improves fiber quality and the strength of blankets made from the fibers.

Abstract: Thermal insulation is provided for use in applications requiring continuous resistance to temperatures of 1260° C. without reaction with alumino-silicate firebricks, the insulation comprises fibers having a composition in wt % 65%<SiO2<86%, MgO<10%, 14%<CaO<28%, Al2O3<2%, ZrO2<3%, B2O3<5%, P2O5<5%, 72%<SiO2+ZrO2+B2O3+5*P2O5, 95%<SiO2+CaO+MgO+Al2O3+ZrO2+B2O3+P2O5. Addition of elements selected from the group Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y or mixtures thereof improves fiber quality and the strength of blankets made from the fibers.

Abstract: A method for insulating an article requiring resistance against repeated exposure to temperatures exceeding 900° C. uses saline soluble, non-metallic, amorphous, inorganic oxide, refractory fibrous materials as thermal insulation. The compositions that can be used for that purpose include vitreous fibers based on SiO2, CaO, MgO, and optionally, A2O3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow field plate (separator) for a fuel cell or electrolyser, comprising one or more branched primary fluid delivery/removal channels feeding narrower secondary fluid diffusion channels defined by an array of lands forming a network of interconnected fluid diffusion channels therebetween. The fluid delivery/removal channels and the fluid diffusion channels may be gas delivery/removal channels and gas diffusion channels respectively. The branched fluid delivery channels may simply feed the fluid diffusion channels, which themselves lead directly or via a fluid removal channel to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: Thermal insulation is provided for use in applications requiring continuous resistance to temperatures of 1260° C. without reaction with alumino-silicate firebricks, the insulation comprises fibers having a composition in wt % 65%<SiO2<86% MgO<10% 14%<CaO<28% Al2O3<2% ZrO2<3% B2O3<5% P2O5<5% 72%<SiO2+ZrO2+B2O3+5*P2O5 95%<SiO2+CaO+MgO+Al2O3+ZrO2+B2O3+P2O5 Addition of elements selected from the group Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y or mixtures thereof improves fiber quality and the strength of blankets made from the fibers.

Abstract: A flow field plate for a fuel cell or electrolyser comprises on at least one face an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, and a plurality of gas diffusion channels of width less than 0.2 mm connecting thereto.

Abstract: A composite material comprises inorganic-bonded alkaline earth silicate fibers in which any bonding agents or fillers comprise low amounts of aluminum so that the composite material comprises less than 1% by weight aluminum expressed as Al2—O3.

Abstract: A fibre is disclosed having a maximum use temperature of 1200° C. or more which comprises: SiO2>64.25 wt % CaO>18 wt % MgO<17 wt % and in which the amount of MgO in mol % is greater than the amount of CaO in mol %. Such fibers have high solubility and low dustiness.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating ceramic surfaces to decrease their wettability by aqueous solutions. One method involves polishing the ceramic surface until wettability is decreased, and a second method involves a silane heat treatment. Both methods can be used to produce ceramic supports for IEF and electrophoresis gels, as well as microarray plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the utilization of doped alumina for static charge sensitive applications, and to methods for making and using the same, e.g., for varying the electrical conductivity of alumina by doping with an appropriate transition metal oxide and subsequently heating to high temperatures in a reducing environment. This treatment allows the electrical conductivity to be tailored and thus provides a cost effective means for producing components with controlled resistivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to brazing filler metals that can be used in the infiltration brazing of porous matrix materials without the need for a flux. The brazing filler metals contain two different Group II metals and a third metal of Group 9 and 10. A particular brazing filler metal of the invention contains silver, copper, and nickel. The invention is also directed to composite materials formed by infiltration of the brazing material into a porous matrix, and to methods for preparing the composite materials. The invention is further directed to composite articles fabricated from composite materials, including steel bearings or bushings, and to methods of preparing the composite articles.

Abstract: A damping roller for printing presses and a method for the production thereof, wherein a heat injected microporous special steel coating is applied to a cylindrical base body, is described. The average pore body of said coating is approximately 5 &mgr;m. A thicker moistening agent film is obtained by capillary force thereby enabling a higher moistening agent flow rate in the damping system of an off-set printing press.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of a vitreous inorganic fiber in the knowledge that it has a composition meeting the criterion that the calculated sum of the free energies of hydration of the compounds that would or could be present at equilibrium (on the basis of knowledge, informed belief or reasonable assumption) is more negative than −10 kcal/100 grams of composition. Such compositions are saline soluble.

Abstract: A microporous insulation material contains an ingredient which exhibits a phase transition and functions to maintain temperatures attained by an object shielded by the microporous insulation material, during exposure of the microporous insulation material to a high temperature environment, at an acceptable level over a given period of time. The insulation material is especially suitable for insulating flight data and voice recorder systems. The microporous insulation material contains inorganic particulate material; endothermic compounds, (optionally) an opacifier, inorganic fiber and preferably, a dry resin or other binder. The inorganic particulate material can comprise only hydrophilic material or both hydrophilic and hydrophobic material.