Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic foam filters having a gasket material chemically and mechanically bonded thereto. The filters have particular utility in the filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum. The filters are formed by immersing the porous filter body, preferably in a fired condition, in a gasketing medium consisting of a concentration of ceramic fibers, one or more binders, and the balance a vehicle such as water and applying a vacuum through the porous filter to draw the gasketing medium into contact with the portions of the filter body to be gasketed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic foam filters having a gasket material chemically and mechanically bonded thereto. The filters have particular utility in the filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum. The filters are formed by immersing the porous filter body, preferably in a fired condition, in a gasketing medium consisting of a concentration of ceramic fibers, one or more binders, and the balance a vehicle such as water and applying a vacuum through the porous filter to draw the gasketing medium into contact with the portions of the filter body to be gasketed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic body suitable for use in molten metal filtration applications having a built-in preheat indicator and method for forming such a ceramic body. The preheat indicator comprises a dye having a burnoff temperature substantially equal to the desired preheat temperature applied to a surface of the ceramic body. In a preferred embodiment, the dye comprises an aniline dye such as Backmeier's crystal violet.