Abstract: A rasp includes a body including upper, lower, front and rear portions. The lower portion has a groove that has first and second sections extending along a length thereof. The first section includes equidistantly spaced coextensive cutting blades extending downwardly therefrom. The blades have front and rear surfaces that have a rectangular shape engageable along a portion of drywall. The second section includes randomly spaced protrusions that have arcuate shapes and extend downwardly therefrom. The protrusions are engageable with drywall for removing imperfections therefrom. A divider bifurcates the first and second sections and extends downwardly from the body. The divider has a height equal to that of the sidewalls. Coextensive sidewalls are conjoined with the body and oppositely spaced from the divider. The sidewalls protrude downwardly from the bottom surface and terminate coplanar with the divider. The first and second sections are recessed from the divider and the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method of making an insulating furnace lining by forming a reticulated ceramic having interconnected webs defining a plurality of interconnected pores and a plurality of fibers distributed within substantially all of the pores in a selected volume of the reticulated ceramic. The reticulated ceramic is arranged to form at least a portion of a furnace lining. The reticulated ceramic and the fibers may be oxides, ceramics, carbides, nitrides, silicides, borides, carbon and mixtures thereof. The fibers form a batt which fills at least a portion of the pores.

Abstract: A surface combustion radiant heat burner having an inlet plenum for receiving fuel and oxidant gas mixtures and a burner body in communication with the inlet plenum. The burner body has an inlet side facing the plenum and an outlet side defining a radiating surface. The burner body consists of a first layer of porous ceramic material adjacent the inlet side of the plenum and a second layer of porous ceramic material defining a radiating surface. At least the outer surfaces of the first porous layer and substantially all surfaces of the second porous layer are provided with a fully dense ceramic coating applied by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A ceramic structure comprises a reticulated ceramic portion defined by a plurality of interconnecting webs having a pore distribution of between 5 and 125 (ppi) pores per linear inch and a ceramic coating portion sintered to the webs along a surface defined by one face of said coating. The coating has a thickness less than about 3 millimeters. The ratio of average thickness of the coating to the thickness of the web forming the reticulated ceramic is between 1 and 10.

Abstract: Vibratable, monolithic refractory mixes useful to form linings for receptacles and related apparatus components used to handle or treat molten metal, such as ladles, tundishes, troughs and runners, including novel binders therefor.