Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a ceramic composite material may be formed by a method comprising the steps preparing a solid solution comprising aluminium oxide, a second component comprising a cation in a first valent state, and a dopant, wherein the dopant is present in an amount of not more than 1000 ppm by weight of the solid solution; and carrying out a treatment on the solid solution to form the ceramic composite material, wherein the treatment changes the valent state of said cation to a second valent state, forming a ceramic composite material comprising grains containing aluminium oxide and a precipitate of particles comprising the cation in the second valent state. The materials may be useful in the manufacture of various products, including wear resistant products and armour.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a composite material comprising nanotubes oriented in a matrix comprising a ceramic material, the method comprising the steps of: providing an array of substantially aligned nanotubes; providing a ceramic matrix material in the form of a solution; applying the solution to the nanotubes; allowing the solution to infiltrate into the array of nanotubes; and sintering the ceramic matrix material to form the composite material, wherein the nanotubes are substantially aligned in the ceramic matrix. Composite materials obtainable by said method are also provided.