Abstract: A multiphase, microcrystalline, nearly fully dense ceramic composite has grains comprising 0 to 95 volume percent aluminum nitride, 0 to 95 volume percent polytypes of aluminum nitride, 0 to 95 volume percent gamma-aluminum oxynitride, and 5 to 50 volume percent of at least one of titanium nitride, zirconium nitride and hafnium nitride. The composite is useful to prepare a ceramic abrasive grit or article.

Abstract: Ceramic abrasive grits comprising alpha alumina and at least about 0.5 percent by weight yttria are prepared by mixing an aqueous dispersion of alpha alumina monohydrate and yttrium compound, gelling the resultant mixture, drying the gel to produce a dried solid, crushing the dried material to produce grits, calcining the dried grits to substantially remove bound volatile materials, and firing the grits to produce a ceramic material. The yttrium for the most part is in the form of a yttrium aluminum garnet. Abrasive products comprising the abrasive grits are also claimed as is a method of grinding a workpiece with such abrasive products.

Abstract: An improved prepackaged, inexpensive firebox for sale at retail stores for use in outdoor cooking on consumer supplied backyard grills or for use as a quick campsite campfire starter firebox or as a prepackaged firewood firebox for fireplaces or the like. The repackaged firebox is lightweight, portable, manageably sized for easy storage, semi-fire retardant, water repellant and completely fire consumable and can be used conveniently and safely by a novice consumer. The firebox is comprised of a specially designed cardboard container and a special arrangement of prepackaged layer combustible with kindling points varying sufficiently to ignite and maintain ignited a primary combustible layer such as hardwood mesquite logs found in the southwestern United States.

Abstract: An improved magnetic data transducer having a short gap with improved performance during writing, and substantially unaffected performance during reading. This is accomplished by placing one or more of the turns of the winding in the gap, occupying a fraction of the gap adjacent the transducing face. This simulates increasing gap reluctance during writing, by causing increased flux fringing.

Abstract: Refractory catalyst supports are secured in metallic containers having different coefficients of thermal expansion by providing at least one layer of a resilient thermally resistant inorganic sheet material or paper between the support and casing and securing the paper and catalyst support in the container by foaming an inorganic material in the space between the sheet material or paper and catalyst support. A further layer of sheet material or paper may be provided adjacent the support with the foam between the separate layers of sheet material.

Abstract: Refractory catalyst supports are secured in metallic containers having different coefficients of thermal expansion by providing at least one layer of a resilient thermally resistant inorganic sheet material or paper between the support and casing and securing the paper and catalyst support in the container by foaming an inorganic material in the space between the sheet material or paper and catalyst support. A further layer of sheet material or paper may be provided adjacent the support with the foam between the separate layers of sheet material.