Abstract: A laminated matrix composite made of a reinforcement phase and coated with several layers of a metallic, ceramic, or polymeric matrix material, the average thickness of the layers of matrix material being between 0.005 and 5 &mgr;m thick.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a method for coating a substrate with a chemical compound uses a precursor liquid. This precursor liquid preferably serves as a reagent in the coating process and is housed in a reactor. Once the precursor liquid is placed in the reactor, the substrate is immersed in the precursor liquid. While the substrate is immersed in the precursor liquid, which may or may not contain solid particles, the liquid is fluidized by one or more possible methods: passing a gas through the liquid; recirculating the liquid; and stirring the liquid. In the preferred embodiment, inductive heating of the substrate is performed by an induction coil. The induction coil will be driven by a generator to emit a high frequency alternating current electromagnetic field such that only the substrate is directly heated. Heating the substrate in a fluidized bed will cause chemical vapor deposition or chemical vapor infiltration to occur and the desired chemical compound, or element, to be deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A rapid process for the preparation of diamond articles in which a porous, dense preform of diamond particles created by particle packing methods is subjected to forced flow chemical vapor infiltration of a carbon containing reagent gas resulting in the preparation of thick diamond articles.

Abstract: A method for applying a metal film barrier layer between a substrate and a superconductor coating or over a superconductivity coating using chemical vapor deposition in which low vapor pressure reactants are used, is disclosed, which comprises the steps of providing a substrate and a quantity of metal-bearing reagent and one or more reagents, placing the substrate within the furnace, introducing the metal-bearing reagent by a powder feeder means and then the reagents at different times into and reacting them in the furnace, resulting in the deposition first of a coating of metal onto the substrate and then of a coating consisting essentially of the superconducting reactant components onto the metal film; said reagents generally chosen to yield the group of oxide superconductors.

Abstract: A method for applying coatings to substrates using chemical vapor deposition with low vapor pressure reagents is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (a) placing a substrate in a furnace means; (b) directly introducing powder reagents by a powder feeder means into said furnace means; and (c) vaporizing and reacting said reagents within said furnace means resulting in the deposition from the vapor phase of a coating on said substrate, wherein said coating can be an oxide superconductor.

Abstract: Ceramic composites exhibiting increased fracture toughness are produced by the simultaneous codeposition of silicon carbide and titanium disilicide by chemical vapor deposition. A mixture of hydrogen, methyltrichlorosilane and titanium tetrachloride is introduced into a furnace containing a substrate such as graphite or silicon carbide. The thermal decomposition of the methyltrichlorosilane provides a silicon carbide matrix phase and the decomposition of the titanium tetrachloride provides a uniformly dispersed second phase of the intermetallic titanium disilicide within the matrix phase. The fracture toughness of the ceramic composite is in the range of about 6.5 to 7.0 MPa.sqroot.m which represents a significant increase over that of silicon carbide.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for preparing fiber-reinforced ceramic composites. A specially designed apparatus provides a steep thermal gradient across the thickness of a fibrous preform. A flow of gaseous ceramic matrix material is directed into the fibrous preform at the cold surface. The deposition of the matrix occurs progressively from the hot surface of the fibrous preform toward the cold surface. Such deposition prevents the surface of the fibrous preform from becoming plugged. As a result thereof, the flow of reactant matrix gases into the uninfiltrated (undeposited) portion of the fibrous preform occurs throughout the deposition process. The progressive and continuous deposition of ceramic matrix within the fibrous preform provides for a significant reduction in process time over known chemical vapor deposition processes.

Abstract: Microspheres for nuclear waste storage are formed by gelling droplets containing the waste in a gelation fluid, transferring the gelled droplets to a furnace without the washing step previously used, and heating the unwashed gelled droplets in the furnace under temperature or humidity conditions that result in a substantially linear rate of removal of volatile components therefrom.

Abstract: A method for direct chemical vapor deposition of silicon carbide to substrates, especially nuclear waste particles, is provided by the thermal decomposition of methylsilane at about 800.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C. when the substrates have been confined within a suitable coating environment.

Abstract: A method for producing a cesium-retentive waste form, characterized by a high degree of compositional stability and mechanical integrity, is provided by subjecting a cesium-loaded zeolite to heat under conditions suitable for stabilizing the zeolite and immobilizing the cesium, and coating said zeolite for sufficient duration within a suitable environment with at least one dense layer of pyrolytic carbon to seal therein said cesium to produce a final, cesium-bearing waste form. Typically, the zeolite is stabilized and the cesium immobilized in less than four hours by confinement within an air environment maintained at about 600.degree. C. Coatings are thereafter applied by confining the calcined zeolite within a coating environment comprising inert fluidizing and carbon donor gases maintained at 1,000.degree. C. for a suitable duration.

Abstract: Fully chlorinated and/or fluorinated hydrocarbons are used as gas scrubbing liquids for preventing noxious gas emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining defective final layers of carbon on triso-coated fuel particles and the like. Samples of the particles are subjected to a high temperature treatment with gaseous chlorine and thereafter radiographed. The chlorine penetrates through any defective carbon layer and reacts with the underlying silicon carbide resulting in the volatilization of the silicon as SiCl.sub.4 leaving carbon as a porous layer. This porous carbon layer is easily detected by the radiography.

Abstract: Carbon-coated microspheroids useful as fuels in nuclear reactors are produced with a low percentage of cracked coatings and are imparted increased strength and mechanical stability characteristics by annealing immediately after the carbon coating processes.