Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an in particular porous molded ceramic article, which molded ceramic article is optionally reinforced with fibers and/or a semi-finished textile product such as woven fabric, wherein a powder A and at least one further powder B are suspended in a liquid, after which a molded article is formed from the suspension produced in this manner optionally in combination with fibers and/or a semi-finished textile product and the molded article is optionally sintered. It is provided according to the invention that the powders A and B are suspended approximately at a pH value of the liquid at which a viscosity minimum of the suspension is given, whereby high solids contents in the suspension can be adjusted with low viscosities. This makes possible a rapid production of largely crack-free molded articles with advantageously low-defect structures.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing a controlled atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of below 10−13 Pa and an operating temperature above 1000° C. According to the invention a furnace is vented by a gas mixture having an oxygen partial pressure lower than 10−8 Pa but higher than that of said controlled atmosphere, and that a partial volume of said furnace is submitted to a static electric field having a strength of at least 6V/cm and reducing the oxygen partial pressure in this partial volume by orders of magnitude. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.

Abstract: A pair of plungers engage the hinges of an automobile trunk, said plungers being actuated by a piston and cylinder assembly connected to the vacuum manifold of the automobile by a conduit with a valve located in said conduit.