Abstract: A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A cold surface is obtained by coating a mat of ceramic particles that are bound together with a sol-gel binder and cooling the surface with a cryogen that wicks to the surface through pores in the mat.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: Processes are provided for forming a superconductive composite, comprising a superconductive metal oxide and a ceramic. The composite may be formed in any desired shape. Liquid nitrogen can be held around the superconductor longer and delivered in a more controlled fashion and the composite has improved resistance to shatter and thermal shock. The ceramic also provides protection from atmospheric deterioration of the superconductive oxide.

Abstract: Processes are provided for forming a superconductive composite, comprising a superconductive metal oxide and a ceramic. The composite may be formed in any desired shape. Liquid nitrogen can be held around the superconductor longer and delivered in a more controlled fashion and the composite has improved resistance to shatter and thermal shock. The ceramic also provides protection from atmospheric deterioration of the superconductive oxide.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic composite including glass bonded microparticles. The process includes the steps of: felting a slurry of microparticles to form a mat; drying the mat; infusing a sol-gel binder into the mat; gelling the binder; and curing the binder.

Abstract: A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Abstract: A passive thermal protection system that overcomes the disadvantages of the polyurethane "water wall" includes a fiberformed ceramic insulation, a plurality of electrodes embedded in the insulation to define a wick panel, and a gelled ceramic sol in the wick panel. The system can be prepared by introducing the sol into the wick panel with its subsequent gelling by applying a direct current across the electrodes. Cooling water is held in the gelled sol to provide passive cooling, yet the system easily achieves even distribution of the water (even when subject to accelerations) without the use of pre-gelled or viscous reagents.

Abstract: An ablative fibrous ceramic article comprises a honeycomb core having a plurality of cells, fibrous ceramic insulation (including fibers, microballoons, microparticles, or mixtures thereof) at least partially filling each cell of the core and forming a porous sheet on one face of the core, and, optionally, an ablative material infused into a portion of the porous sheet. Such an article is a candidate for fabricating an effective lunar/Martian aerobrake.

Abstract: The composite comprises ceramic fiberformed insulation bonded to a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix laminate. Ceramic insulation has a mat of intersecting, discrete ceramic fibers bonded with a sol-gel glass binder. The insulation is prepared by forming a slurry of ceramic fibers, molding the slurry to form a soft felt mat, drying the mat, and incrementally introducing the binder into the mat with a multiple-impregnation technique, which controls shrinkage of the ceramic fiber mat. This process provides a layering technique that permits formation of a continuous fibrous structure having layers that impart distinct characteristics at desired regions within the structure. By using different ceramic fibers and fibers of differing physical dimension, or by including additives with the slurries, tailoring of the physical characteristics of the insulation is achieved.

Abstract: Coated ceramic fibers useful in resin matrix/reinforced composites are disclosed wherein the ceramic fibers have been heat treated at a temperature in excess of 900.degree.C. to form a microcrystalline structure. The heat treatment eliminates hydroxyl coupling sites required for coupling to a resin. The ceramic fibers are coated with silanol groups that re-establish hydroxyl sites to enable a difunctional organic coupling agent to bond a resin to the ceramic fibers more effectively.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant structural composite composed of ceramic fibers and an organic resin is disclosed in which improved structural performance is obtained through modification of the surface of the ceramic fibers to improve the fiber to resin bond. The ceramic fibers are coated with silanol groups that re-establish hydroxyl sites to enable a difunctional organic coupling agent to bond a resin to the ceramic fibers more effectively.

Abstract: A felted mat of ceramic fibers is impregnated with a sol-gel glass binder and is exposed to a low voltage direct current to catalytically gel the binder at ambient temperature and ambient pressure without pH conversion catalysts. The gelled binder can be easily converted to a ceramic thereafter and stabilized by firing above about 525.degree. F.