Abstract: (A.) A process for forming a cobalt conversion coating on a metal substrate, thereby imparting corrosion resistance and paint adhesion properties. The invention was developed as a replacement for the prior art chromic acid process. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a cobalt conversion reaction solution comprising an aqueous, alkaline solution containing a soluble cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex, the concentration of the cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex being from about 0.1 mole per gallon of solution to the saturation limit of the cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex; and (b) contacting the substrate with the aqueous reaction solution for a sufficient amount of time, whereby the cobalt conversion coating is formed. The substrate may be aluminum or aluminum alloy, as well as Cd plating, Zn plating, Zn--Ni plating, and steel. The cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex may be present in the form of [Co(NH.sub.3).sub.6 ]X.sub.3 wherein X is Cl, Br, NO.sub.3, CN, SCN, 1/3PO.sub.4, 1/2SO.sub.4, C.sub.

Abstract: A silicon nitride body having a surface portion comprising .alpha. sialon, or .alpha. sialon and .beta. sialon wherein the ratio of .alpha. sialon relative to the sum of .alpha. sialon and .beta. sialon is at least 0.6; and an inner portion comprising .beta. sialon, or .alpha. sialon and .beta. sialon, wherein the ratio of .beta. sialon relative to the sum of .alpha. sialon and .beta. sialon is at least 0.6.

Abstract: Improved deicer compositions containing crystalline double salts formed from mixtures of relatively low molecular weight carboxylic acids (for example, mixtures of formic acid and acetic acid) are provided. The deicer compositions are generally prepared by neutralizing an aqueous mixture containing at least two carboxylic acids or salts thereof, adjusting the pH to between about 7 and about 10, and drying the aqueous mixture to obtain a double salt crystalline product. Double salts containing sodium cations and double salts containing sodium cations and at least one cation selected from the group consisting of potassium, calcium, and magnesium provide effective deicing compositions which are environmentally safer than conventional deicing compositions.

Abstract: A method of producing uniform inorganic microspheres with a particle size of 0.01 to 500 .mu.m by injecting an aqueous solution containing a particle-forming material into an organic solvent. The method includes injecting the aqueous solution into the organic solvent through a macromolecular membrane having a hydrophobic surface and having pores substantially uniform in pore size and extending in the direction of thickness of the membrane, substantially straight through the membrane, so that a path length of each of the pores corresponds substantially to a thickness of the membrane, to form, in said organic solvent, a large number of emulsion particles substantially uniform in size and then producing uniform inorganic microspheres from said emulsion particles on a one emulsion particle-to-one microsphere basis. The pores in the membrane are formed by either a corpuscular or laser beam.

Abstract: A three-step method for preparing textile treatment compositions comprising mixtures of substituted imidazoline fabric softener materials and protonating acids is provided. In Step (1) the imidazoline is heated, and in Step (2) it is protonated in a concentrated acid/water seat. Step (3) comprises diluting this mixture with additional water. Utilizing this method provides compositions having good product stability, dispersibility, and concentratability, as well as excellent fabric softening characteristics.

Abstract: A single phase superconducting oxide ceramic material in the form of highly oriented platelets, and a process for the production thereof. The process involves calcining in a non-reducing atmosphere a homogeneous mixture of stoichiometric proportions of suitable precursor materials. The calcination temperature is below the peritectic melt temperature of the superconducting material, and is at or above a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect partial melting of at least one of the precursor materials to a degree sufficient to effect diffusion of at least one of the precursor materials throughout the mixture. The calcination vessel is not wetted by melts of the precursor materials at the calcination temperature. The calcined material is then annealed in a non-reducing atmosphere. A typical material produced by the process is YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x superconducting material, at a calcination temperature of about 976.degree.-982.degree. C.

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: A new silicon carbide material is made following a procedure including hot pressing to provide a finished product having a microstructure with an optimal grain size of less than 7 micrometers. The material exhibits a dominant failure mode of intergranular fracture requiring significant energy for crack propagation. The method of manufacturing is cost-effective by allowing the use of "dirty" raw materials since the process causes impurities to segregate at multi-grain boundary junctions to form isolated pockets of impurities which do not affect the structural integrity of the material. End uses include use as optical and electronic substrate materials.

Abstract: Thick film paste composition for applying conductive patterns to automotive window glass comprising finely divided particles of metallic silver, glass frit, and selected transition metal oxides, all of the particulate solids being dispersed in an organic medium.

Abstract: A process of preparing a yttrium based superconductor including partial melting a body of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y compound which is stacked on a Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 plate, to produce a liquid phase, BaCu.sub.2.CuO which flows down into the Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 plate, a peritectic reaction of the Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 of the plate, with the liquid phase, BaCuO.sub.2.CuO, to form a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y phase, and cooling and annealing the resulting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y to gain superconducting properties, in which weak-links are reduced by the well oriented-grains with few voids, and the grains of the fine grained Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 phase act as flux pinning centers, which increases the critical current density.

Abstract: Complex superconducting oxides are fabricated through appropriate selection and use of fundamental superconducting "building blocks." In this fashion, the invention provides a rationalized method of fabricating complex oxides having desirably high T.sub.c values. In another aspect of the invention, novel, 112 and 12 superconducting oxides are described.

Abstract: Self-supporting bodies are produced by reactive infiltration of a parent metal into a boron donor material and a carbon donor material. The reactive infiltration typically results in a composite comprising a boron-containing compound, a carbon-containing compound and residual metal, if desired. The mass to be infiltrated may contain one or more inert fillers admixed with the boron donor material and carbon donor material. The relative amounts of reactants and process conditions may be altered or controlled to yield a body containing a wide ranging varying volume percentage of ceramic, metal, and porosity.

Abstract: 1. In the (Bi,Tl)-Ca-(Sr,Ba)-Cu-O based superconducting ceramics production process, a process for preparing superconducting ceramics characterized by(a) providing powders includingi) a compound of Bi oxide or Tl oxide,ii) a Ca compound,iii) an Sr compound or Ba compound, andiv) a Cu compoundas starting powders;(b) compounding and mixing powders from compounds of the starting powders, the compounds each having lower vapor pressure, i.e., powders from compound ii), compound iii), and compound iv) at a compounding ratio to obtain a mixture, and primarily calcining the mixture at a temperature of 850.degree. to 1050.degree. C., to form a Ca--(Sr,Ba)--Cu--O based oxide; and(c) further mixing the Ca--(Sr,Ba)--Cu--O based oxide with a compound having a higher vapor pressure, that is, the powder of compound i), at a compounding ratio, and secondarily calcining at a temperature of 500.degree. to 820.degree. C.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor system having the nominal composition: Tl-Ba-Ce-Cu-O. The high temperature superconductor of the present invention has a transition temperature of about 90 K. Processes for making the high temperature superconductor are also provided.

Abstract: The process is the type wherein the solid portions of waste materials of all origins are crushed and ground to a granulometry of under 5 mm and then are heated to between 750.degree. C. and 1,350.degree. C. According to the invention, after the addition, if applicable, of liquid waste to obtain a pasty mass, a reagent is added to the latter, in pulverulent form having granules of under 500 microns based with calcium carbonate, silicium oxide and, possibly, aluminum and iron oxides in quantities to produce the following ratio after incineration: ##EQU1## Application to the treatment of all types of waste by combustion.