Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 50 m2/gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.015 cm3/gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided particles comprising a non-silicon containing ceramic, carbon, or an inorganic compound having a decomposition temperature in excess of 400° C., whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100° C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the ceramic intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than 1100° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 70 m.sup.2 /gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.03 cm.sup.3 /gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided silicon carbide or silicon nitride, whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100.degree. C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the ceramic intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than 1100.degree. C. to form a microporous ceramic product.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 70 m.sup.2 /gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.03 cm.sup.3 /gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided silicon carbide or silicon nitride, whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100.degree. C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the ceramic intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than 1100.degree. C. to form a microporous ceramic product.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 50 m.sup.2 /gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.015 cm.sup.3 /gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided particles comprising a non-silicon containing ceramic, carbon, or an inorganic compound having a decomposition temperature in excess of 400.degree. C., whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100.degree. C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention.

Abstract: A method for consolidating finely divided diamond particles to produce a substantially fully dense article having improved resistance to wear and cracking. Diamond particles are heated to an elevated temperature for compacting to form the fully dense article. The article is then held at an elevated temperature and time sufficient to rearrange and substantially reduce the dislocations in the article resulting during compacting to achieve a substantially strain-free state in the article. The article is then cooled to room temperature after which it may be given an improved leaching treatment to achieve superior thermal stability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for extruding fine grain aluminum mechanically alloyed powder material such that the resulting extruded product is substantially free of texture, which method comprises extruding a billet of the powder material having a mean grain size less than about 5 microns through a die having an internal contour which conforms substantially to the formula: ##EQU1## where R is the radius of the die contour at any given point x along the major axis of the die orifice from its entry plane, R.sub.o is the radius of the billet, and K is an arbitrary constant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mechanically compositing metal powders to produce composite metal powder material having a substantially homogeneous dispersion of refractory particles dispersed throughout a metallic matrix and being substantially free of oxide scale. Preferably the composite powder has a mean particle size less than about 50 microns and a mean grain size of less than about 0.5 microns which method comprises milling the metal powders with one or more refractory compounds in the presence of a cryogenic material.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispersion strengthened composite metal powders having an average particle size of less than about 50 microns and an average grain size within the particle of about 0.05 to 0.6 microns.