Abstract: A negative thermal expansion material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient according to the present invention is represented by Zr2?aMaSxP2O12+?, where M is at least one selected from Ti, Ce, Sn, Mn, Hf, Ir, Pb, Pd, and Cr; a is 0?a<2; x is 0.4?x?1; and ? is a value defined as to satisfy a charge neutral condition. The present invention makes it possible to provide a negative thermal expansion material, a composite material and a method for producing a negative thermal expansion material that can realize reduction in cost and density reduction.

Abstract: A complex oxide ceramic according to an embodiment is a complex oxide ceramic including a rare earth element and at least one element selected from among molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. An example of the rare earth element is at least one species selected from among La, Ce, and Gd.

Abstract: Provided are a complex oxide ceramic having high antiviral activity, a functional material, and an article provided with the complex oxide ceramic and/or the functional material. The complex oxide ceramic according to one aspect of the present invention is a complex oxide ceramic containing cerium and molybdenum and having antiviral activity. The functional material according to one aspect of the present invention is also a functional material including the complex oxide ceramic mixed with a photocatalyst and/or an antibacterial effect. The article according to one aspect of the present invention is an article having the complex oxide ceramic and/or the functional material on at least a part of the surface thereof.

Abstract: A negative thermal expansion material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient according to the present invention is represented by Zr2-aMaSxP2O12+?, where M is at least one selected from Ti, Ce, Sn, Mn, Hf, Ir, Pb, Pd, and Cr; a is 0?a<2; x is 0.4?x?1; and ? is a value defined as to satisfy a charge neutral condition. The present invention makes it possible to provide a negative thermal expansion material, a composite material and a method for producing a negative thermal expansion material that can realize reduction in cost and density reduction.

Abstract: A complex oxide ceramic according to an embodiment is a complex oxide ceramic including a rare earth element and at least one element selected from among molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. An example of the rare earth element is at least one species selected from among La, Ce, and Gd.

Abstract: A knock type applicator includes a cylindrical shell having a coating liquid storage chamber, a writing tip slidably inserted into an opening portion formed in a distal end of the cylindrical shell, and a valve mechanism between the writing tip and the coating liquid storage chamber. The valve mechanism has a valve element connected to the writing tip. Ribs are formed in an inner wall of the opening portion of the cylindrical shell in a lengthwise direction of the cylindrical shell. The diameter of an inscribed circle connecting apexes of the ribs is dimensioned smaller than the maximum diameter of the writing tip. By this, the ribs bite or project into the writing tip which is advanced in combination with the valve element during knocking operation. As a consequence, the writing tip is cracked by the ribs projected therein.

Abstract: A refractory of the invention is used in casting operation, which has good spalling resistance and corrosion resistance. The refractory includes: 0.0357-2.6548 wt % of amorphous silica particles having a specific surface area within a range of 15-30 m.sup.2 /g; 8.8495-28.5612 wt % of alumina particles having a particle diameter within a range of 10-50 mm; 1.3986-18.1715 wt % of at least one of fused magnesia and sintered magnesia, which contains 0.6993-10.9041 wt % of magnesia having a maximum particle diameter under 44 .mu.m; 0.6993-13.630 wt % of alumina cement; and 45.4545-88.1417 wt % of alumina. When the refractory is used, at lease one of fused magnesia and sintered magnesia surrounds the alumina particles, which react together to generate spinel to thereby form micro-crack layer around the alumina particles for preventing propagation of cracks in a refractory structure.

Abstract: Basic monolithic refractories of which the chemical composition consists essentially of, in oxide equivalence, 65%-96% by weight of MgO, 2.6%-20% by weight of ZrO.sub.2, 1.3-10% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 2% or less by weight of CaO, 0.5% or less by weight of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 1% or less by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and with a mineral composition containing periclase as the main component and cubic zirconia and forsterite as sub-components, and with apparent porosity of 7% or less and bulk density of 3.2 g/cm.sup.3 or more.Basic monolithic refractories under this invention possess excellent slaking resistance, slag erosion resistance, slag penetration resistance and spalling resistance. They exhibit an excellent service life, especially as lining material for steel-making furnaces.

Abstract: A refractory for casting a basic substance comprises 100 parts by weight of a refractory aggregate having as main ingredients 3 to 40% by weight of zircon and 97 to 60% by weight of magnesia and a suitable amount of a binding agent. Another refractory for casting a basic substance comprises 100 parts by weight of a refractory aggregate having as main ingredients 3 to 40% by weight of zircon and 97 to 60% by weight of magnesia, not more than 7 parts by weight of metallic fibers, and a suitable amount of a binding agent. The refractories for casting a basic substance are used for ladles, tundishes, vacuum degasing furnaces, mixers, and the like.

Abstract: An alumina-spinel monolithic refractory consists essentially of 50-90 percent by weight of alumina clinker, 5-40 percent by weight of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 spinel clinker not larger than 1 mm in size and 1-25 percent by weight of alumina cement. Another alumina-spinel monolithic refractory consists essentially of 50-90 percent by weight of alumina clinker, 5-40 percent by weight of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 spinel clinker, 1-25 percent by weight of alumina cement and not more than 5 percent by weight of magnesia clinker. The alumina-spinel monolithic refractories are used for lining the inner walls of ladles, vacuum degassing vessels, hot-metal mixers, blast-furnace troughs and their covers, not-metal mixer cars, tundishes and the like.

Abstract: A non-fired silicon-carbide base refractory mixture comprising 95 to 99.5% (in respect to the mixture) of silicon carbide containing 1.5 to 8% (in respect to the silicon carbide) of particles not larger than 1.mu. and 0.5 to 5% of super-fine silica powder containing at least 50% of particles not larger than 1.mu. after a coagulation.