Abstract: A ceramic heater body is formed in a plate shape, and has electrode attaching portions at both ends of the heater body. A plurality of openings are formed in the electrode attaching portion, and a metallized layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each of the openings. Electrodes having a plurality of wires are connected to the electrode attaching portions, for supplying power to the heater body. The metal wires are inserted into the openings formed having the metallized layers on the inner peripheral surfaces, and are secured by brazing to the metallized layers. The diameter of the metal wire is set to 0.5 to 3 mm, and the metal wires are buried in the openings, at a depth of 1 to 5 mm.

Abstract: A metal composition usable as a brazing material for bonding a metal to a non-oxide ceramic. The brazing material contains, at least, one or more metals selected from a first group of transition metals consisting of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Ru and Os, and one or more metals selected from a second group of transition metals consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The material may further contain one or more elements selected from a third group of elements consisting of B, C, Si and P.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises an exhaust-gas filter for trapping particulates in exhaust gas from an engine, and a heating device located on the upper-course side of the filter, with respect to the flowing direction of the exhaust gas, the heating device including one or more conductive-ceramic heater elements, capable of heating and burning the particulates caught by the filter, and a heater case for holding the heater elements in position, so that the caught particulates are heated and burned by the heater elements when the flow resistance of the exhaust gas, flowing through the filter, is increased by the caught particulates, whereby the flow resistance is reduced. The heater element includes a fixed electrode portion, immovably fixed to the heater case, and a slidable electrode portion held slidably.

Abstract: A ceramic heater for regenerating a fine particle collecting filter which is exposed to exhaust gases at elevated temperatures. This ceramic heater comprises two electrode potions, a heat generation portion connected to the two electrode portions and a holding projection portion of a ceramic heater connected to the side of the heat generating portion. The two electrode portions, the heat generating portion and the holding projection portion are formed integrally.

Abstract: The ceramic heater of the present invention is used as a regenerating heater for a carbon particulate collecting filter. The ceramic heater comprises a heat-generating body composed of a sintered body which comprises an electroconductive ceramic, such as titanium nitride, and an insulating material, such as silicon nitride. An electroconductive layer is formed on a selected portion of the surface of the heat-generating body. The ratio of the electroconductive ceramic ingredient of the electroconductive layer is greater than the ratio of the electroconductive ceramic ingredient of the heat-generating body. The electroconductive layer of the ceramic heater is formed by partially heat-decomposing silicon nitride.