Abstract: A crystalline ceramic fiber suitable for reinforcing a formed ceramic body is produced by crystallizing an amorphous ceramic fiber composed of silicon and nitrogen by heat treatment within non-oxide ceramic powder in an inert gas atmosphere. The amorphous ceramic fiber is produced by thermally decomposing a pre-ceramic fiber produced by melting and spinning polysilazane. The amorphous ceramic fiber is mainly composed of silicon, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen, and has such a composition that silicon has a 40 to 60 weight %, nitrogen has a 5 to 40 weight %, carbon has a 20 weight % or lower, and oxygen has a 50 weight % or lower.

Abstract: Water-dilutable, amphoteric-surfactant-containing wax compositions (P) comprising as wax (W) an oxidized and optionally partially saponified hydrocarbon wax or a mixture of such waxes and as surfactant (A.sub.1) at least one amphoteric surfactant that contains one polyethyleneglycolether chain and optionally further surfactants and additions, are excellently suitable as softeners of high hydrophilicity, which are highly compatible with optical brighteners and synthetic resin finishes.

Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark composition suitable for molding fishing lures and fishing accessories is disclosed that provides improved glowing capabilities. By combining a white powder (preferably baking soda or salt) with a plastic resin and further including phosphorescent substance, mineral oil, color concentrate, foaming agent and silicone, plastic fishing accessories are created with superior glowing capacity. Briefly exposing the fishing accessories to light will cause them to emit light for a substantial amount of time, helping to attract fish.

Abstract: A hydrolyzate resulting from co-hydrolysis of a perfluoroalkyl group-containing organic silicon compound and a hydrolyzable group-containing methylpolysiloxane compound in a hydrophilic solvent and water constitutes a water repellent agent which is effective for imparting water repellency and facilitating falling of water droplets and thus imparting excellent water repellency and stain-proofness to a surface of an article treated therewith.

Abstract: Electroluminescent phosphors having substantially increased luminance and maintenance over that of prior art electroluminescent phosphors may be made by (1) doping an inorganic intercalation compound having an atomic structure interspersed with vacant spaces, with selected activator ions capable of luminescent emission, and (2) introducing organic monomers or other conductive material into the vacant spaces of the atomic structure of the doped inorganic intercalation compound. The organic monomers may be polymerized in situ to form conductive polymers therein.

Abstract: A raw material for producing ferrite dust for friction elements and a method of producing reduced ferrite dust, capable of using, as the raw material, various collected sludge and dust which are by-products obtained at iron factories. The sludge has solid components consisting essentially of 35 to 50% total Fe, no more than 2% metallic Fe, 1.0 to 8.0% SiO.sub.2, 0.3 to 2.5% MgO, 1.0 to 6.0% CaO, 1.0 to 5.0% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 20 to 40% fixed carbon, and 0.1 to 1.0% ZnO, said sludge having a grain size of 20 to 250 mesh, an apparent specific gravity of 1.2 to 2.0 g/cc, a real specific gravity of 3.3 to 4.3 g/cc, and a porosity of 40 to 65%. The collected dust consists essentially of 50 to 85% true Fe, 20 to 55% FeO, 30 to 55% Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, 2 to 12% CaO, 1 to 5% SiO.sub.2, 1 to 3% MgO, 1 to 3% MnO, and no more than 1% fixed carbon, 50 to 85% total Fe, 2 to 12% CaO, 1 to 5% SiO.sub.2, 1 to 3% MgO, 1-3% MnO, and no more than 1% fixed carbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic fiber yarn, which has higher weaving and knitting performance. The ceramic fiber yarn comprises a group of filaments, the filaments being made by the steps of spinning mother liquid, which comprises colloidal silica and basic aluminum chloride, and firing, the filaments comprising 67-75 wt % of alumina and 25-33 wt % of silica and mainly having polycrystalline transition alumina, and is characterized in that: the loop strength of each the filament, which is measured by a wire having diameter of 0.5 mm, is at or greater than 2.5.times.10.sup.-2 N (N: Newton); and the crystal structure of the filament substantially changes to polycrystalline mullite after heating for 30 minutes at the temperature of 1,400.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein magnetic particles for magnetic recording which comprise acicular or plate-like magnetic particles and not less than 0.01 wt % (calculated as Al, SiO.sub.2 or Al and SiO.sub.2 and based on the acicular or plate-like magnetic particles) of an oxide or hydroxide containing Al, Si or both Al and Si and adhered to the surfaces of the acicular or plate-like magnetic particles, and which have not less than 0.50 of a molecular-weight-dependent parameter .alpha. represented by the following formula (I):As=K.sub.1 .multidot.M.sup..alpha. (I)wherein M represents a number-average molecular weight of a binder, As represents a saturation adsorption of said binder, and K.sub.1 represents a constant dependent on the binder and a solvent used for measuring As.

Abstract: Transparent, polycrystalline garnet bodies having desirable properties for use as laser material, luminescent x-ray scintillator materials and other uses are produced by mixing a chloride source solution of the desired cations with a basic ammonium solution to produce a precipitate having a substantially uniform composition which can be further processed to provide the desired transparent body. This precipitate is separated from the solution, dried, thermally decomposed at a temperature in the range from 700.degree. to 1,000.degree. C., pressed to form a compact, isostatically pressed at up to 60,000 psi to provide a green, unsintered compact having a density in the vicinity of 55% of theoretic density. That green compact is then sintered in oxygen at a temperature between 1,400.degree. and 1,700.degree. C. to produce the desired transparent body. Alternatively, the compact may be sintered in oxygen at temperatures in the range from about 1,400.degree. to about 1,600.degree. C.

Abstract: Metal and/or metalloid nitride and/or carbide powders, e.g., amorphous or crystalline spherical particulates having a mean diameter greater than 0.2 .mu.m 90% of which being less than 0.4 .mu.m in size, well suited for the production of ceramic shaped articles exhibiting good thermomechanical properties and useful, for example, in the automotive and aeronautic fields, are prepared by flash pyrolyzing coarse drops of a precursor compound convertible into such nitride and/or carbide, at an elevated temperature and for such period of time as to convert the precursor compound into said amorphous or crystalline powder.

Abstract: In an improved ice melter comprising an alpha-methyl glucoside and method of making same, an ice melter, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,531 is further improved in respect to providing improved melting capabilities by providing a substantially uniform coating of alpha methyl glucoside-urea mixture the potassium chloride substrate of a potassium chloride and sodium chloride salt mixture or providing a substantially uniform coating of alpha methyl glucoside-urea mixture to both potassium and sodium chloride salt mixture. The improved invention also includes the method of making the composition which includes the steps for example, of(1) heating a solution of alpha-methyl glucoside;(2) adding urea to the heated alpha-methyl glucoside;(3) heating methyl glucoside and urea mixture;(4) applying the heated alpha methyl-glucoside and urea mixture to potassium chloride; and(5) adding sodium chloride to the potassium chloride.

Abstract: A ceramic composite contains one spinel phase and one or more than one oxides phases. The composite is derived from the mixtures of two oxides, A.sub.2 O.sub.3 and BO, with different molar ratio, in which A and B are metallic ions of three and two valences respectively. The oxides are heated at a high temperature to form a composite containing a spinel and residual oxides. The formed spinel and residual oxides also undergo densification under high temperature. After the treatment at high temperature, not only the spinel is formed but also the composite is densified. The performance of the composite is superior in its strength, toughness and high-temperature stability.

Abstract: A fabric conditioning product which may be used during the rinsing or tumble drying of fabrics after washing, contains a perfume composition which contains specified ketones and salicylates. The perfumes inhibit development of human body malodour on the fabrics when worn and the combination of specified materials makes it possible to avoid inclusion of individual components with powerful, unacceptable odors.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a precursor for a superconductor, comprising the addition of a condensation product to an aqueous solution of metal salts, the total or partial removal of water from the mixture thus obtained, the subsequent processing of the viscous mass obtained after having removed part of the water or the calcination of the solid gel obtained after having substantially removed all the water, wherein the condensation product is a product of esterification of citric acid with ethylene glycol prepared separately and the solution of metal salts substantially is a solution of acetates in water and acetic acid.

Abstract: Cobalt coated, needle shaped berthollide iron oxide pigments are disclosed which have a core of the composition (Fe.sub.x.sup.2+, Fe.sub.2.sup.3+)O.sub.3+x wherein 0.3<x<0.75, optionally also including an intermediate coating of Zn-containing benhollide between the core and the cobalt coating. The pigments are prepared by first coating the core with berthollide and a soluble zinc compound, followed by coating with a cobalt compound.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake piston (11) is formed of a clay based ceramic or conventional ceramic material, such as a kaolin based ceramic with a low thermal conductivity. The piston (11) may be incorporated in a disc brake assembly comprising a caliper body (10) provided with a cylinder which receives the piston (11). Hydraulic brake fluid is introduced under pressure into the space (12) within the body (10) to displace the piston from the body and into contact with a disc pad (14). The ceramic piston retards heat transfer from the disc pad into the brake fluid thus reducing the cause for vapor lock.

Abstract: Doped crystalline compositions (e.g., single domain crystals) of MTiOAsO.sub.4 (wherein M is K, Rb and/or Cs) are disclosed which contain at least about 10 ppm total of Fe, Sc and/or In dopant. Also disclosed is a flux process which is characterized by adding said dopant to a melt containing the components for forming MTiOAsO.sub.4, in an amount effective to provide a doped single domain crystal of MTiOAsO.sub.4 containing at least 10 ppm of said dopant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for producing acicular goethite particles comprising the step off: blowing an oxygen-containing gas into a ferrous salt reaction solution containing colloidal ferrous hydroxide or iron-containing colloidal precipitates which is obtained by reacting an aqueous ferrous salt solution with less than one equivalent of an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, an aqueous alkali carbonate solution, or an aqueous alkali hydroxide and alkali carbonate solution based on Fe.sup.

Abstract: A detergent additive for commercial detergents (softener agents) that contain fabric softeners is described. This additive is based on agglomerates of a smectic laminar silicate coated with divided particles. This detergent additive is characterized in that the agglomerates are at least partially coated with particles of a cation exchanger that will pass through a screen with a mesh of about 45 .mu.m and have an average particle size of less than about 10 .mu.m, where the amount of cation exchanger particles is about 2 to 30 wt % (based on the dry weight of the uncoated agglomerates). This detergent additive may be used in the conventional detergent formulations.

Abstract: Improved silicone-free, continuous zirconia fibers have diameters greater than 5 micrometers and high tensile strengths. In another aspect, strong, flexible, zirconia fibers are prepared in a process involving the addition of colloidal ZrO.sub.2 particles to a fiber precursor solution.