Abstract: A first inorganic powder molded body and a second inorganic powder molded body are obtained. Each of the bodies contains an inorganic powder, an organic dispersion medium having a reactive functional group and a gelling agent and is solidified by chemical reaction of the organic dispersion medium and the gelling agent. Slurry containing a powder component and an organic dispersion medium is applied to a joint surface of the first inorganic powder molded body. The inorganic powder molded bodies are allowed to abut on each other while interposing the slurry therebetween, and integrated together into a joined body. A sintered body is obtained by sintering the joined body.

Abstract: A mold includes a gate communicating with the entire perimeter of a cavity serving as a space configured to form a molded article. A self-curable molding material with flowability is fed into the perimeter of the cavity through the gate; hence, the mold has a small number of dead ends compared with the case where, for example, the molding material is fed into the cavity through a part of the cavity, preventing the formation of bubbles left in the cavity. The arrangement of a gate and a vent each making an acute angle results in the spontaneous separation of the molded article in the cavity from solidified material portions in the gate and the vent due to shrinkage on curing.

Abstract: A mold includes a gate communicating with the entire perimeter of a cavity serving as a space configured to form a molded article. A self-curable molding material with flowability is fed into the perimeter of the cavity through the gate; hence, the mold has a small number of dead ends compared with the case where, for example, the molding material is fed into the cavity through a part of the cavity, preventing the formation of bubbles left in the cavity. The arrangement of a gate and a bent each making an acute angle results in the spontaneous separation of the molded article in the cavity from solidified material portions in the gate and the vent due to shrinkage on curing.

Abstract: A first inorganic powder molded body 1A and a second inorganic powder molded body 1B are obtained. Each of the bodies contains an inorganic powder, an organic dispersion medium having a reactive functional group and a gelling agent and is solidified by chemical reaction of the organic dispersion medium and the gelling agent. Slurry 5A containing a powder component and an organic dispersion medium is applied to a joint surface 4A of the first inorganic powder molded body 1A. The inorganic powder molded bodies 1A and 1B are allowed to abut on each other while interposing the slurry 5A therebetween, and integrated together into a joined body. A sintered body is obtained by sintering the joined body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sintered body of a joined body including two or more inorganic powder-molded bodies. The sintered body includes first components corresponding to the two or more inorganic powder-molded bodies in the joined body; and a second component corresponding to a junction in the joined body, and has one or both of the features (a) and (b): (a) the second component has a surface roughness equal to or lower than that of each of the first components; and (b) the second component has, in the vicinity of a width center thereof, a transmittance equal to or higher than that of each of the first components.

Abstract: In a composite sealing material having an inner portion and a carbon outer portion, a bulk density of the carbon outer portion is set in a range of 0.3.about.2.0 g/cm.sup.3, preferably in a range of 0.5.about.1.5 g/cm.sup.3, or fiber members are mixed in the carbon outer portion, or an oil layer is arranged on the carbon outer portion, or an organic layer or an inorganic layer is arranged on the carbon outer portion, so as to improve sealing properties of sealing members formed by using the composite sealing materials.

Abstract: A sealing member, comprising a discrete material including a plurality of individual pellets, each pellet comprising a core and a carbon based coating thereon, the plurality of individual pellets being aggregated and pressed together. Additionally, a method for forming the sealing member is provided.

Abstract: A sealing structure for a rotary regeneration-type heat exchanger, the sealing structure being adapted to seal at least one of a gap between an outer peripheral portion of a rotor and a stationary housing and a gap between a side face of the rotor and a radial sealing plate, the sealing structure being held by one of the rotor and the housing such that the sealing structure is in sliding contact with an opposing surface of the other of the rotor and the housing, the sealing structure including a metal frame, a main body including an alumina body and a glaze covering a portion of the alumina body, the glaze having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the alumina body, the main body including an uncovered surface which is not covered with the glaze thereby exposing the alumina body, and retaining means for retaining the main body inside the metal frame, wherein the uncovered surface is exposed from the metal frame, the uncovered surface at least partially defining a sliding surface of the sea