Abstract: A method for casting Y2O3 has steps of adding an acid to a slurry comprising at least a ceramic material having a purity of an Y2O3 being 99 wt % or more with an average particle diameter of 2 &mgr;m or less, water, a binder and a dispersant so that a pH value can be adjusted ranging from 8.5 to 10.5 and injecting the slurry into a mold.

Abstract: A mold for molding an industrial product from a powder by slip casting, which has good water-absorptivity, long life, high strength and excellent mold-releasability and is constituted from a composite base material of boron nitride and other ceramic constituents. With this mold, molding of ceramic products and the like can be performed with high efficiency without causing clogging.

Abstract: A side wall construction for a continuous belt caster includes a metallic side wall body and a refractory layer attached on the central portion of the side wall body. The metallic side wall body has side edge portion extending substantially in flush with the the surface of the refractory layer. The refractory layer is formed with a center projection of essentially triangular cross-section. The height of the peak of the projection is gradually decreased toward downstream of transfer direction of the liquidus and solidus metal. On the other hand, it may be possible to formulate the refractory layer as double layer construction of a heat insulating refractory layer and a wear-resistantive refractory layer.

Abstract: A catalyst support provided with an activated alumina layer which is formed on the surface of the ceramic honeycomb structure is disclosed. The catalyst support of the present invention is formed of ceramic such as cordierite, of which coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than alumina and is provided with microcracks which occur when the honeycomb structure is formed. The activated alumina layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst support without filling the microcracks occurred therein. For example, the activated alumina layer is formed by adhering the activated alumina particulates to the surface of the honeycomb structure and firing the structure together with the activated alumina particulates after the microcracks occurred in the honeycomb structure are filled with such a material as to be burnt away at a temperature lower than the sintering temperature of activated alumina.