Abstract: A lanthanum chromite ceramic powder consisting essentially of 1 mol of LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is a divalent metal selected from the group of zinc, copper and mixtures thereof and x ranges from about 0.02 to 0.2, y mols of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, where y ranges from 0.0005 to 0.04, and z mols of La.sub.2 O.sub.3, where the ratio z/y ranges from 1 to 3, the powder is sintered to high density by firing a compact thereof at a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. in air or other atmosphere, and is particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A sinter-reactive lanthanum chromite powder is prepared from the lanthanum chromite precursor LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3 (Adsorbate). The powder is crystalline, has the formula LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper and mixtures thereof and x ranges from about 0.02 to 0.2, and sinters to densities higher than about 95% of theoretical density at temperature as low as 1400.degree. C. in oxidizing atmospheres. Sintering to such high density at temperatures in the vicinity of 1400.degree. C. makes the powder particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A sinter-reactive lanthanum chromite powder is prepared from the lanthanum chromite precursor LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3 (Adsorbate). The powder is crystalline, has the formula LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is magnesium or calcium and x ranges from about 0.03 to 0.3, and sinters to densities higher than about 95% of theoretical density at temperature as low as 1600.degree. C. in inert or reducing atmospheres. Sintering to such high density at temperatures in the vicinity of 1600.degree. C. makes the powder particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A lanthanum chromite ceramic powder mixture that consists essentially of 1 mol of LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is a divalent metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium and mixtures thereof and x ranges from 0.03 to 0.3; y mols of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, where y ranges from 0.005 to 0.04; and z mols of La.sub.2 O.sub.3, where the ratio z/y ranges from 1.1 to 3. The mixture is formed into powder compacts and sintered to near full density at temperatures as low as 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) is produced from precursor salts. The precursor salts are coprecipitated from solution to yield a gel in a liquid phase. The gel in excess of the critical temperature and pressure is dried at a temperature and pressure in excess of the critical temperature and pressure of the liquid phase to thereby convert the liquid phase to a gas. The solid particles, when separated from the gas, form a fine particulate ZTA which, upon consolidation yields near theoretical density toughened ceramics.