Abstract: Erasable inks are provided for use in a writing instruments. In one aspect, the inks include a solvent, and, dispersed in the solvent as a colorant, a pigment having a flake-like morphology, the ink being substantially free of other colorants.

Abstract: Pearlescent inks are provided. The inks are suitable for use in writing instruments, and include a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent. Some inks are erasable and/or shear-thinning.

Abstract: An erasable, shear-thinning writing composition includes a shear-thinning additive and graphite particles dispersed within an aqueous solvent system.

Abstract: An erasable, shear-thinning writing composition includes a shear-thinning additive and graphite particles dispersed within an aqueous solvent system.

Abstract: Pearlescent inks are provided. The inks are suitable for use in writing instruments, and include a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent. Some inks are erasable and/or shear-thinning.

Abstract: Erasable inks are provided for use in a writing instruments. In one aspect, the inks include a solvent, and, dispersed in the solvent as a colorant, a pigment having a flake-like morphology, the ink being substantially free of other colorants.

Abstract: A method of forming an article having a cermet layer on a porcelain substrate, via the steps of (a) providing a substrate made a porcelain comprising one or more crystalline oxide phases dispersed in a glassy matrix, the glassy matrix containing 0.25 to 45.0 weight % of a reducible metal oxide having a reduction potential of between -1.0 and +3.5 E.degree./V; and (b) heating the substrate in a reducing atmosphere to form on at least one surface of the substrate a layer of cermet comprising elemental metal which is a reduction product of the reducible metal oxide. The article may be used as a substrate for magnetic recording disks.

Abstract: A process is provided that involves reductive coupling of polysilane precursors to form polysilane in the presence of ultrasonification. The resulting precursors, upon pyrolysis, lead to improved SiC ceramic product. Ultrasonification can be used to produce oligosilanes from precursors thereof, or polysilanes from monomers, dimers, trimers, or oligomers. Precursors can include Si:C in a ratio of about 1:1, and the invention allows formation of SiC having a Si:C ratio of about 1:1.

Abstract: Calcined ceramic powder is made by blending a precursor powder with a form of carbon such as carbon black and heating the blend in an oxygenated atmosphere. The carbon acts as a separator, preventing coalescence of the percursor powder during the calcining process. The blend is characterized by the presence of interstitial spacing between the particles of the carbon powder and the precursor powder. The carbon is eventually oxidized to carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and volatilizes as such, leaving behind the calcined ceramic powder. In a preferred embodiment, the heating is effected by microwave radiation. The carbon absorbs the microwave radiation, heating up the precursor powder and calcining it to form the ceramic powder. Once all the carbon has been oxidized, no more microwave radiation is absorbed, and the heating stops, making the process self-limiting.

Abstract: An electrode is formed on a substrate such as a varistor, a PTC ceramic, or a piezoelectric ceramic by coating a surface of the substrate with a combination of a metal source and a source of reducing carbon. The substrate and/or the combination is an absorber of microwave radiation. Irradiation with microwave radiation causes a carbothermic reduction to occur, converting the metal source to a metal electrode on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for in-situ powder metallurgy processing of a functionally gradient material (FGM) which uses a preceramic polymer binder system with the metal and/or ceramic powders used to produce the intermediate layers of the composite. The invention also provides a method for controlling shrinkage of the functionally gradient material during processing while still preserving the desired density of the intermediate layers by controlling the preceramic polymer binder content within the functionally gradient material.