Abstract: A method of manufacturing an alumina-based ceramic includes sintering a powder compact of an iron-containing alumina powder in an atmosphere (N2, 95 N2-5 H2, H2) of a relatively low oxygen partial pressure, and annealing in an atmosphere (80 N2-20 O2, O2) higher in oxygen partial pressure than the sintering atmosphere to provide an alumina-based ceramic with a grain-boundary migration layer on a surface thereof. The resulting undulated grain boundaries on the surface layer suppress and deflect the crack propagation, thereby improving the short-crack toughness. The formation of a grain-boundary migration layer on the surface of an alumina-based ceramic brings about a great improvement in short-crack related properties, including durability and wear resistance.

Abstract: Sacrificial inserts and molds for use in injection molding are disclosed. In one embodiment a sacrificial insert includes a water-insoluble insert which has a melting temperature greater than the injection molding melt temperature of the base material being molded. In another embodiment, a mold includes one or more of: a sacrificial insert configured to form interior features of the object; a sacrificial insert configured to form interior and exterior features of the object; and a combination of a sacrificial insert configured to form exterior features of the object and a tool configured to form interior features of the object.

Abstract: A ceramic material is prepared which has a favorable combination of high density, and elevated modulus of elasticity and thermal shock resistance as measured by the ability to withstand temperature changes of at least 300° C. The ceramic material is prepared by subjecting a ceramic structure to at least one heat treatment providing the formation in the structure of controlled macro- and micro-cracks, and subjecting the structure processed in this fashion to further heating under static pressure to form the final ceramic material having the favorable combination of properties enumerated herein. The invention extends to the material, the method of its preparation and to a variety of products having predetermined properties that can be fabricated therefrom. For example, cylinder inserts for the manufacture of internal combustion engines, and packaging for integrated circuit devices may be prepared from the present ceramic material.

Abstract: A process for making bone implants from calcium phosphate powders is disclosed. This process involves selectively fusing layers of calcium powders that have been coated or mixed with polymer binders. The calcium powder mixture may be formed into layers and the polymer fused with a laser. Complex three-dimensional geometrical shapes can be automatically replicated or modified using this approach.

Abstract: A synthetic quartz glass member having (i) a change of transmittance at 193 nm of up to 0.002 cm−1 as expressed in extinction coefficient when 4×104 shots of ArF excimer laser light are irradiated at 2 mJ/cm2/pulse, (ii) an initial transmittance of at least 99.6% at 193 nm, (iii) a hydrogen molecule content of at least 5×1017 molecules/cm3, (iv) a refractive index amplitude of up to 1×10−6, and (v) a birefringence of up to 1 nm/cm finds use in an excimer laser because it experiences a minimized change of light transmittance.

Abstract: A low-cost, efficient method of preparing hierarchically ordered structures by combining, concurrently or sequentially, micromolding, latex templating, and cooperative self-assembly of hydrolyzed inorganic species and amphiphilic block copolymers.

Abstract: A ceramic article is fired using a combination of microwave energy and conventional heating energy according to a microwave power-time heating schedule comprising a series of separate firing segments at predetermined microwave power settings, the core and surface temperatures of the article being monitored during firing to determine the core-surface temperature differential, that differential being controlled and limited to prevent cracking of the ceramic article by adjusting the level of applied conventional heat energy during firing.

Abstract: A glass for anodic bonding, which is a glass to be anodically bonded to a silicon crystal substrate and which contains substantially no Na2O and contains from 4 to 8 mol % of Li2O.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of dental restorations using high strength ceramic components. A wax pattern is built around a high strength ceramic component on a die. The wax pattern with the high strength ceramic component is surrounded with investment material. The wax is burned out, leaving a mold with the high strength ceramic component. The mold is filled with a ceramic material, covering the high strength ceramic component, creating a dental restoration.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the permeability of tubular wrappers of a succession of cigarettes by at least one pulsed beam of coherent radiation issuing from a laser has a hollow drum-shaped conveyor cooperating with a rolling member to define an arcuate channel wherein successive cigarettes roll while advancing sideways past a perforating station. Each beam of coherent radiation is generated in or is caused to enter the interior of the conveyor prior to being influenced by one or more deflecting and/or focussing elements to be propagated substantially radially and through an opening of the hollow conveyor and to impinge upon the wrapper of a cigarette rolling at the perforating station.

Abstract: A ceramic membrane for a capacitive vacuum measuring cell includes a thin ceramic membrane with a thickness of <250 &mgr;m, in particular less than 120 &mgr;m. The membrane is produced from a ribbon-shaped green body of Al2O3, and is given high planarity by smoothing the membrane after sintering. The green body is sintered at a sintering temperature that is higher than the smoothing temperature applied following sintering.

Abstract: A method for producing a fired decoration with an essentially defect-free visual appearance on substrates made of glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, or other substances with other decorative colors consisting of base enamel, pigments, and additives, whereby as additives, UV-sensitive optical whitening agents, in particular thiophene-benzoxazol derivatives, are added to the decorative color.

Abstract: A method for producing ceramic composite bodies, in particular, cylindrical ceramic bodies for sheathed-element glow plugs, in which a plurality of shaping sleeves, which accommodate piece parts premolded by cold pressing, are inserted into corresponding bore holes of a vertically standing supporting plate that is heated via additional bore holes with the aid of cartridge heaters or a heat transfer liquid. The vertically standing supporting plate with the shaping sleeves is then clamped between two press plates of a press, and the piece parts located inside are subsequently pressed by press pins which, on both sides, pass through the press plates and into the shaping sleeves. Upon completion of the necessary pressure keeping period, the pressed compound, after retraction of the press pins and opening the press, can be hardened in a non-pressurized manner in the shaping sleeves located in the withdrawn supporting plate that is subjected to further heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and method for in-situ green sheet slitting. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus and method that uses a modified green sheet slitting machine so that it can provide an in-situ slitting of green sheets that result in a plurality of separate green sheets rolls or strips.

Abstract: The invention proposes measures for controlling a production and packaging system for cigarettes such that a certain number of cigarettes (batch) of a certain brand or design are produced and the system is then switched off. This is based on a quantity which is to be produced, that is to say a specified quantity. Taking account of the actually occurring defective production at individual production units and subassemblies, the overall production requirement is determined and produced accordingly and packaging material is made available to the individual production units.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic bodies and includes placing the ceramic material in a heating apparatus and subjecting the ceramic material to an amount of heat energy that results in the ceramic article exhibiting a ceramic body core temperature, Tc, a ceramic body surface temperature Ts, and surface-core temperature differential that is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum temperature differential setpoint.

Abstract: A plasticizable raw material mixture for use in preparing a substrate having cordierite as its primary phase with a mixture of a chemical composition, percent by weight, of 11 to 17% MgO, 33 to 41% Al2O3 and, 46 to 53% SiO2, the mixture including the following (1) a platy talc having a morphology index of greater than 0.8 and exhibiting a mean particle size of less than about 5 &mgr;m; (2) an Al2O3 forming source comprising an alumina having a mean particle size of less than about 5 &mgr;m selected from the group consisting of ∝-alumina, transition aluminas, aluminum oxide monohydroxide, or aluminum trihydrate having; and, (3) one or more of the components of delaminated kaolin having a mean particle size of less than about 2 &mgr;m, calcined kaolin exhibiting a mean particle size of less than about 2 &mgr;m and a surface area of greater than about 10 m2/g and/or silica having a mean particle size of less than about 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of reinforced concrete structures wherein plastic tie fasteners are used to secure the rebar structure within the concrete structure. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of securing rebar by using plastic tie fasteners.

Abstract: A method and plant for treating laminated glass having at least two glass sheets between which is arranged at least on intermediate sheet of non-glass material. The glass is attacked in a basic solution of fragmented laminated glass, so as to obtain an attack medium, wherein the fragments are disintegrated into non-laminated glass fragments and non-glass material, separating in a) the basic solution, b) the disintegrated non-laminated fragments and c) the disintegrated fragments of the non-glass material, and neutralizing the disintegrated fragments “b) and c)” before their subsequent recycling or upgrading.

Abstract: A glass substrate for a display, which has a strain point of at least 550° C., an average linear expansion coefficient of from 65×10−7 to 100×10−7/°C. within a range of from 50 to 350° C. and a ratio KIC/d of at least 280 Pa·kg·m7/2 where KIC is the fracture toughness and d is the density.