Abstract: A silicon-talc sealing material is disclosed. The sealing material is made up of about 15 to 30 percent by weight of silicon metal powder and about 85 to 70 percent by weight of talc. It has been found to be admirably suitable for sealing around the center wire of spark plugs in which the sealing material is subjected to temperatures of about 900.degree. F. or higher. In such applications, the sealing material is unexpectedly advantageous by comparison with previously known materials, because it has significantly higher holding power, because it allows significantly less gas leakage, or because it has both advantages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cellular ceramic catalyst support. The support consists of a random-fiber ceramic framework having a high surface area. The support is fabricated by flocking an organic sponge with wood or textile fibers, and impregnating the flocked sponge with a high alumina slurry containing a silicone resin and a flux. The impregnated organic sponge is sintered at a high temperature to burn out the organic sponge material. A fired high-silica glaze can be applied to the sintered article, followed by a second sintering step. A second glaze containing from 10-25 parts by weight CuO and from 10-25 parts by weight ZrO.sub.2, can be applied, followed by a 2000.degree. F. sintering step. The high temperature causes recrystallization of the CuO onto the surface of the catalyst support thereby increasing the surface area. The glazed surface can be plated with copper or nickel and combinations thereof to function as a reducing unit in a catalytic converter.