Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cerium-containing nano-coating composition, the composition including an amorphous matrix including one or more of cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, and cerium phosphate; and crystalline regions including one or more of crystalline cerium oxide, crystalline cerium hydroxide, and crystalline cerium phosphate. The diameter of each crystalline region is less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cerium-containing nano-coating composition, the composition including an amorphous matrix including one or more of cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, and cerium phosphate; and crystalline regions including one or more of crystalline cerium oxide, crystalline cerium hydroxide, and crystalline cerium phosphate. The diameter of each crystalline region is less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cerium-containing nano-coating composition, the composition including an amorphous matrix including one or more of cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, and cerium phosphate; and crystalline regions including one or more of crystalline cerium oxide, crystalline cerium hydroxide, and crystalline cerium phosphate. The diameter of each crystalline region is less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cerium-containing nano-coating composition, the composition including an amorphous matrix including one or more of cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, and cerium phosphate; and crystalline regions including one or more of crystalline cerium oxide, crystalline cerium hydroxide, and crystalline cerium phosphate. The diameter of each crystalline region is less than about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density (more typically at least about 99.5 percent theoretical density) and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: A method of sintering a composite body characterized by a transition metal carbide phase (such as a ZrC phase) substantially evenly distributed in a second, typically refractory, transition metal (such as W) matrix at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of first transition metal oxide powder (such as ZrO2) with a second predetermined amount of second transition metal carbide powder (such as WC powder). Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body.

Abstract: A method of sintering a composite body characterized by a transition metal carbide phase (such as a ZrC phase) substantially evenly distributed in a second, typically refractory, transition metal (such as W) matrix at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of first transition metal oxide powder (such as ZrO2) with a second predetermined amount of second transition metal carbide powder (such as WC powder). Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density (more typically at least about 99.5 percent theoretical density) and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.