Abstract: An abrasive element precursor includes a green body ceramic element having a first major surface, a second major surface, a plurality of inorganic particles, and a binder. At least the first major surface comprises a plurality of precisely shaped features. The plurality of inorganic particles is at least about 99% carbide ceramic by weight.

Abstract: An abrasive element includes a first major surface and a second major surface. At least the first major surface includes a plurality of precisely shaped features. The abrasive element includes at least about 99% of carbide ceramic by weight and has a porosity of less than about 5%.

Abstract: An abrasive element precursor includes a green body ceramic element having a first major surface, a second major surface, a plurality of inorganic particles, and a binder. At least the first major surface comprises a plurality of precisely shaped features. The plurality of inorganic particles is at least about 99% carbide ceramic by weight.

Abstract: Abrasive particles and methods of making abrasive particles are disclosed. The abrasive particles may be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: Abrasive particles and methods of making abrasive particles are disclosed. The abrasive particles may be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: An electrically non-conductive Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiC thin film computer head substrate, exhibiting improved edge retention during precision machining, is formed from a mixture of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and TiC, where the TiC content in the final microstructure is less than about 18 weight percent and which is produced from TiC having a surface to volume mean diameter of about 2-10 micrometers. A thin film computer head substrate made from such a material, and sliders incorporating the substrate, exhibit significantly improved surface stability and diceability due to the exclusion of third-phase thermally-elastically mismatched dispersoids.

Abstract: Sintered silicon nitride-silica-yttria ceramic articles having silica-rich or yttria-rich casing layers are disclosed. The surface layers are formed by sintering pre-compacted bodies in a powder setter bed to produce unitary sintered bodies having surface layers in which the atom ratio of yttrium to silicon has a smooth gradient from the surface of the article to the interior body of the article.

Abstract: Dense, composite, polycrystalline ceramic articles comprising silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, and yttrium oxide and having thin surface layers of controlled composition are formed by sintering pre-pressed compacts embedded in setter bed powder mixtures having compositions of silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, and yttrium oxide which differ from that of the pressed compact.Employing the method of this invention, articles are produced which have surface layers in which the minor phase of the article is enriched with either yttrium or silicon.