Abstract: An adherent protective coating of a refractory material is produced on the surface of carbonaceous, refractory, ceramic, metallic or other materials serving as components of electrolytic cells operating at high temperature, by applying to such surfaces a well chosen micropyretic reaction layer from a slurry, which when dried is ignited to initiate a self-sustaining micropyretic reaction, along a combustion front, to produce condensed matter forming such refractory protective adherent coating. The slurry is preferably applied in several layers, the first layer(s) to facilitate adherence and the last layer(s) to provide protection, and may contain some preformed non-reactant materials. The electrolytic cells whose components require such coatings are especially those operating at high temperature with a molten salt electrolyte, particularly those for the production of metals, aluminium being the most important.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic, ceramic composite or metal-ceramic composite structure by combustion synthesis wherein a foamed polymer shape is impregnated with a slurry of ceramic precursors and ignited to initiate combustion synthesis, thereby obtaining a ceramic, ceramic composite or metal-ceramic composite article having interconnected porosity. Ceramic composite filters having improved strength, toughness and thermal shock resistance are provided, with the ceramic composite being an oxide and a nonoxide.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable combustion synthesis product of a composition containing at least 20% by weight of a particulate combustible material; at least 15% by weight of a particulate filler material capable of providing desired mechanical and electrical properties; and up to 35% by weight of a particulate inorganic binder having a melting point lower than the combustion synthesis temperature. Electrodes suitable for electrochemical processing are a preferred product form, particularly electrodes for use in the electrowinning of aluminum from its oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making metal ceramic composites and the metal ceramic compositions and articles made therefrom, especially net-shaped articles having a wide variety of applications.The present invention involves preparing a combustion synthesis mixture comprising at least one substance containing a combustible mixture of powders and at least one low-melting metal, forming this mixture into a desired final shape in a die, and carrying out a combustion synthesis therewith. Ceramic or metallic reinforcements may be incorporated in the combustion synthesis.The present invention allows the control of porosity in the resultant composite compositions and can result in composites having high toughness characteristics.

Abstract: A solder, brazing or welding composition having improved physical properties, comprising a continuous phase ranging from about 40% to about 99% by volume of a solder, brazing or welding metal or alloy, and a disperse phase ranging from about 60% to about 1% by volume and comprising a reinforcing material in particulate or fibrous form, the reinforcing material being graphite, silicon carbide, a metal oxide, an elemental metal, and/or a metal alloy.

Abstract: A solder or brazing alloy having improved properties by reason of the presence of at least one uniformly dispersed non-acicular and non-dendritic intermetallic phase having a particle size of about 1 to 25 microns. A method of preparing the alloy comprises melting the alloy at a temperature sufficient to melt the intermetallic phase or phases, cooling to a semi-solid state, subjecting the semi-solid alloy to vigorous shearing and/or vibration at the solid-liquid interface, and solidifying the alloy.

Abstract: Crystal growth is effected by laser energy input and direct heating at a glass-crystal interface. The process is based on the use of a laser beam of appropriate wavelength as a means of providing heat to the interface due to transmittance differences between the glass and crystal phases. The process is useful for inducing crystal growth in amorphous semiconductors and oriented crystal growth in ceramic, metallic, and polymeric glasses, and for producing shaped single crystals from preformed glassy shapes. The transmittance differences can be used to provide direct heat and thus drive any two-phase boundary on a microscopic scale.