Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a K- or Rb-.beta."- or -.beta.-aluminum oxide powder preparation, wherein a cubic densely packed aluminum oxide (.gamma.-aluminum oxide) or a precursor thereof is subjected to attrition together with a doping material or a precursor thereof, the so obtained mixture is calcined in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, potassium oxide or rubidium oxide or a precursor of these compounds is added to the calcination product obtained, the mixture is subjected to attrition and then calcined in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature greater than 900.degree. C. The present invention also provides a process for the production of a ceramic formed body in which a powder obtained by the above process is converted by attrition, isostatic pressing and sintering into a ceramic formed body. Such a ceramic formed body can be used as an ion conductor.

Abstract: A method for forming unsegregated metal oxide-silver composites includes preparing a precursor alloy comprising silver and precursor elements of a desired metal oxide and oxidizing the alloy under conditions of high oxygen activity selected to permit diffusion of oxygen into silver while significantly restricting the diffusion of the precursor elements into silver, such that oxidation of the precursor elements to the metal oxide occurs before diffusion of the metallic elements into silver. Further processing of the metal oxide composite affords an oxide superconducting composite with a highly unsegregated microstructure.

Abstract: A high pressure injection nozzle member is formed of a super hard alloy or a hard material of carbide series mainly composing of a tungsten carbide as, wherein the tungsten carbon is composed of grains each having a diameter of less than 1 .mu.m. At least one kind of carbide or solid solution of carbide selected from Ti, Ta, V, Cr, Mo, Hf, or Zr by a weight % of less than 10.0% is added. A binding material essentially consisting of at least one of iron group elements by weight % of 0.2 to 2.0% may be further added. The super hard alloy or a hard sintered material has a high abrasion proof property and has a hardness more than about HRA 94.0. Nitride or nitride solid solution may be utilized in place of carbide or carbide solid solution. The nozzle member is particularly suitable for an abrasive water jet.

Abstract: A composition for thermal energy storage or thermal energy generation comprising a silica based gel or dry powder in the form of silica particles containing a water/urea phase change material for thermal energy storage or an endothermic or exothermic compound for thermal energy generation. The water/urea phase change material stores and releases at least 50 cal/gm of thermal energy in freezing and melting, and has a melting and a freezing point in the range of -11.degree. C. to -15.degree. C. The endothermic compound is preferably ammonium nitrate, urea, or combinations thereof. The exothermic compound is preferably calcium oxide or calcium chloride. The thermal energy storage composition may find use in a variety of applications including medical wraps, food servingware, and "blue ice" for cold packs or food storage.

Abstract: An aqueous fabric conditioning composition comprising a homogeneous dispersion of fabric conditioning active particles having a size distribution such that the particles have a mean size of about 0.7 to 10 microns as measured by Malvern Particle Size Analyzer and preferably have 10% of the distribution with a particle size of at least 23% of the mean particle size. The composition is obtained by a continuous process for making the aqueous fabric conditioning composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a ceramic body and a method of manufacturing such a body. The body is characterized by its composition, which comprises 20-30 at. % of magnesium, 20-30 at. % of silicon, 40-60 at. % of nitrogen and maximally 15 at. % of oxygen. A preferred composition corresponds to the formula MgSiN.sub.2-x O.sub.x, where x is smaller than 0.5. The manufacture of the ceramic body in accordance with the invention is simpler and cheaper than that of aluminium nitride, and a number of properties of said ceramic material are better than those of the known aluminium oxide.

Abstract: A composition and method of preparing YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductor. Addition of tin oxide containing compounds to YBCO superconductors results in substantial improvement of fracture toughness and other mechanical properties without affect on T.sub.c. About 5-20% additions give rise to substantially improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fiber treatment compositions comprising an unsaturated acetate, an organohydrogensiloxane, a metal catalyst, an organosilicon compound, and optionally a dispersant. The compositions of the present invention impart beneficial characteristics such as slickness, softness, compression resistance and water repellency to substrates such as fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a hydroxyapatite, which is suitable as a tooth-cleaning substance, by precipitation from aqueous phosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide solution, in which a calcium-doped phosphoric acid solution is fed to an intensive mixer with a suspension of calcium hydroxide/oxide in a molar ratio of Ca:P=1.667 corresponding to the hydroxyapatite of and reacted there at precipitation temperatures of 60.degree.-100.degree. C., preferably 80.degree.-90.degree. C. and a pH of 4-8, preferably of 6.5-7.5. Also disclosed in a tooth-cleaning substance containing the hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bismuth layer compound expressed by a chemical formula, (M1.sub.1-2x M2.sub.x Bi.sub.4+x)Ti.sub.4 O.sub.15, wherein "M1" is alkaline earth metal including Sr at least, "M2" is alkali metal, and "x" falls in a range, 0.06.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.44. "M1" can be replaced by Pb or combinations of Pb and alkaline earth metal. The bismuth layer compound exhibits a less fluctuating sensitivity with respect to temperature variations. The bismuth layer compound can further include Mn in a form of MnO in an amount of from 0.02 to 0.25% by weight, and thereby it exhibits not only an upgraded sensitivity but also it does not exhibits a hysteresis in a force-electric charge output diagram.

Abstract: A composite substrate is provided, which comprises a cordierite-anorthite-boron base composite material and has a microstructure with anorthite included in the cordierite phase. This substrate can be used in the form of a circuit substrate, because it has high-enough mechanical strength, a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of silicon and a decreased dielectric constant and, moreover, can be sintered at a low temperature.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator glass composition based on a fluoride glass, phosphate glass, fluorophosphate glass or a mixture thereof is doped with a lanthanide in a concentration sufficient to provide a Verdet constant above at least 2870 deg/Tesla-meter [(1 min/cm-Oe).times.(1.667.times.10.sup.4)=1 deg/Tesla-meter] and optical transmission above at least 50 percent in a 25 mm thick polished glass sample at least at one wavelength in the 200 to 400 nm wavelength region. The Faraday rotator glass also includes monovalent non-lanthanide cations such as Na, Li, K or mixtures thereof in a concentration sufficient to provide a Verdet constant above at least 2870 deg/Tesla-meter and optical transmission above at least 50 percent in a 25 mm thick polished glass sample at least at one wavelength in the 200 to 400 nm wavelength region.

Abstract: Ceramics that are formed from high temperature oxidatively stable thermosetting polymers which, in turn, are formed from linear polymeric materials having repeat units that contain at least one alkynyl group for cross-linking purposes and at least one bis(silyl or siloxanyl)carboranyl group.

Abstract: Fine flaky boehmite particles which have an orthorhombic crystal form and a specified crystal face grown in the form of a flat plate, and a process for the preparation of fine flaky boehmite particles which comprises subjecting aluminum hydroxide or hydrated alumina having a particle size adjusted to the order of submicron to hydrothermal treatment in water or an aqueous alkali solution at a temperature of 150.degree. C. or above and under a pressure of 100 atm or below. The fine flaky boehmite particles are useful as a starting material for the preparation of fine flaky alumina particles or as a filler suitable for a pigment for coating materials, a filler for rubbers and plastics and a coating material for paper making.

Abstract: A high-strength silicon nitride sintered body having a flexural strength of 100 kg/mm.sup.2 or higher and a process for producing the same are disclosed, the sintered body comprising not less than 90% by weight of a single crystalline phase of silicon aluminum oxynitride (Si.sub.6-z Al.sub.2 O.sub.z N.sub.8-z, wherein z is a number of from 0 to 4.2) having an average longer diameter of not more than 5 .mu.

Abstract: In a process or an apparatus for producing an oxide superconductive material by firing, a gas passage is formed in a firing furnace and a material to be fired, consisting of a ceramic superconductive powder and/or a powder expressing superconductivity when heated, is placed in the gas passage. A gas is passed through the gas passage in one direction to contact with the material. A both ends-opened cylindrical inorganic material is provided in a firing zone of a muffle of a bell-shaped furnace, and a bottomed cylindrical material of a substrate and an oxide superconductive layer is provided inside or outside the both ends-opened cylindrical inorganic material.

Abstract: An improved gunning composition for use in the steel industry includes between 60-75% by weight of a refractory base material, 10-20% by weight of silicon carbide, 7-15% by weight of ball clay, 4-8% by weight of a silica binder material, and, optionally, 5-10% by weight of a graphite material. The silica binder replaces binders composed of petroleum pitch or clay. The silica binder causes the composition to have (1) better adhesion, (2) less cracking, (3) improved strength, and (4) increased resistance to oxidation, corrosion and erosion.

Abstract: A composite ceramic sintered body is made from a ceramic matrix comprised mainly of silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride or an inorganic oxide selected from alumina, mullite, zirconia, high silica glass, lithium-aluminosilicate glass, magnesium-aluminosilicate glass or barium-magnesium-aluminosilicate glass, containing both whiskers and particles of a material selected from silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, alumina and zirconia dispersed therein. The whiskers have a diameter of 0.1 to 5 .mu.m and the particles have an average particle size of 5 to 60 .mu.m. The composite ceramic sintered body is homogeneous and isotropic, and it has a high strength and high toughness at a high temperature and an excellent heat resistance and oxidation resistance.

Abstract: A binderless coating comprising substantially pure zirconium oxide suspended in an aqueous zirconyl nitrate and ammonium hydroxide gel.