Abstract: A method for forming a porous carbonaceous preform comprises, forming a mixture comprised of up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of a carbonaceous material, and the balance water. The mixture is cast to form a body, and heated to decompose the polymer and form the porous preform. A molding composition for carbonaceous material comprises, up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of the carbonaceous material, and the balance water.

Abstract: A method for forming a porous carbonaceous preform includes forming a mixture comprised of up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of a carbonaceous material, and the balance water. The mixture is cast to form a body, and heated to decompose the polymer and form the porous preform. A molding composition for carbonaceous material includes, up to about 50 volume percent of furfuryl alcohol or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, about 1 to 10 volume percent of a nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer ranging in molecular weight from about 100,000 to 5,000,000, about 30 to 80 volume percent of the carbonaceous material, and the balance water.

Abstract: A fiber- and filament-containing ceramic preform comprised of a mixture of discontinuous fibers and particulates surrounding a layer of continuous filaments extending substantially through the mixture is produced and infiltrated with a molten ceramic to produce a composite.

Abstract: A process for producing a moldable ceramic mass which comprises preparing a suspension of ceramic material in a liquid vehicle, said ceramic material being comprised of a mixture of fibers and particulates of a ceramic selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, beryllium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, titanium carbide, titanium diboride, zirconium carbide and zirconium diboride wherein the volume ratio of fibers to particulates ranges from about 1:5 to about 1:1, said ceramic material being present in an amount greater than about 4% by volume of the suspension, said fibers being present in an amount greater than about 2% by volume of the suspension, and removing a portion of the liquid vehicle in an amount sufficient to produce a moldable mass.

Abstract: A fiber- and filament-containing ceramic preform comprises of a mixture of discontinuous fibers and particulates surrounding a layer of continuous filaments extending substantially through the mixture is procduced and infiltrated with a molten ceramic to produce a composite.

Abstract: A process for producing a slip cast ceramic body which comprises preparing a slip comprised of a suspension of ceramic material in a liquid vehicle, said ceramic material being comprised of a mixture of whiskers and particulates wherein the volume ratio of whiskers to particulates ranges from about 1:5 to about 1:1, said ceramic material being present in an amount greater than 4% by volume of the slip, said whiskers being present in an amount greater than about 2% by volume of said slip, and casting the slip in a porous mold.