Abstract: The present invention relates to improved materials for fabricating can bodies. In particular, the present invention relates to can tooling components fabricated from whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having from about 5 to about 15 weight percent whiskers with an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers. The material preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a friction coefficient of from about 0.20 to about 0.24. The present invention also provides a method for reducing the trim height of can bodies formed using a can tooling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved materials for fabricating can bodies. In particular, the present invention relates to can tooling components fabricated from whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having from about 5 to about 15 weight percent whiskers with an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers. The material preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a friction coefficient of from about 0.20 to about 0.24. The present invention also provides a method for reducing the trim height of can bodies formed using a can tooling apparatus.

Abstract: Cutting tools are disclosed which are comprised of composite bodies comprising a ceramic matrix reinforced by ceramic whiskers. The ceramic matrix may be alumina or silicon nitride, and may contain toughening components. The whiskers are preferably silicon carbide, but may be other known ceramic whiskers. Whisker content in the composite is 2-40%, with higher contents generally used for tools when the expected service involves interrupted cutting and lower contents generally used for continuous cutting tools.

Abstract: Cutting tools are disclosed which are comprised of composite bodies comprising a ceramic matrix reinforced by ceramic whiskers. The ceramic matrix may be alumina or silicon nitride, and may contain toughening components. The whiskers are preferably silicon carbide, but may be other known ceramic whiskers. Whisker content in the composite is 2-40%, with higher contents generally used for tools when the expected service involves interrupted cutting and lower contents generally used for continuous cutting tools.

Abstract: Cross-flow ceramic recuperators are useful in industrial waste heat recovery in an assembly in which the ceramic recuperator is held by a metallic housing adapted for retrofitting to the metallic fittings of existing furnaces, ovens and preheaters. The housing is characterized by two pairs of opposing apertured plates held against the inlet and outlet faces of the ceramic recuperator by spring biased through-bolts.

Abstract: In the formation of cylindrically shaped heat regenerators from ceramic honeycomb structures for use in gas turbine engines, a gas-impervious seal of the peripheral honeycomb cells and a high strength outer ring are formed simultaneously in an apparatus which provides for surrounding the outer wall of the honeycomb structure with a castable ceramic composition suitable for forming the outer ring, contacting a peripheral area of the upper surface of the honeycomb structure defining a predetermined number of peripheral cell openings with a (different) ceramic slurry composition, evacuating the honeycomb cells whose openings are contacted with the slurry composition through corresponding openings in the lower surface of the honeycomb structure in order to promote flow of the slurry into the evacuated cells, thereby forming a gas impervious seal of these peripheral cells, while simultaneously vibrating the honeycomb structure and castable composition in order to promote flow and intimate contact of the castable c

Abstract: Layered composite cross-flow ceramic recuperators having minimal leakage between layers and consequent high efficiencies are utilized for industrial waste heat recovery in an apparatus in which the ceramic recuperator is surrounded by a metallic housing adapted for coupling to the metallic fittings of existing furnaces, calciners, ovens and preheaters. The ceramic recuperators are formed from stacks of bi-sectioned ribbed layers, the sections of each layer being sealed together to minimize leakage of the heat transfer fluids between layers, and thus to increase the efficiency of the heat transfer.

Abstract: Spherical particulates containing inorganic material are produced by forming a slurry of particles in an aqueous solution of a gellable organic binder, introducing droplets of the slurry into a two-phase liquid containing an upper hydrophobic phase for forming and maintaining the droplets in spherical form, and a lower ionic phase containing divalent or trivalent metal cations for promoting gellation of the organic binder, thereby converting the slurry droplets into substantially self-supporting spheres of particles dispersed in the gelled binder. Upon separation from the two-phase liquid and one or more optional heat treatments to remove the binder, to convert precursors into the desired final inorganic form, or to strengthen or densify the spheres, such spheres are useful, for example, as starting materials for single crystal growth from a melt.

Abstract: In the formation of cylindrically shaped heat regenerators from ceramic honeycomb structures for use in gas turbine engines, a gas-impervious seal of the peripheral honeycomb cells and a high strength outer ring are formed simultaneously in an apparatus which provides for surrounding the outer wall of the honeycomb structure with a castable ceramic composition suitable for forming the outer ring, contacting a peripheral area of the upper surface of the honeycomb structure defining a predetermined number of peripheral cell openings with a (different) ceramic slurry composition, evacuating the honeycomb cells whose openings are contacted with the slurry composition through corresponding openings in the lower surface of the honeycomb structure in order to promote flow of the slurry into the evacuated cells, thereby forming a gas impervious seal of these peripheral cells, while simultaneously vibrating the honeycomb structure and castable composition in order to promote flow and intimate contact of the castable c