Abstract: There are disclosed in process for shaping ceramic composites which comprises shaping a sintered silicon nitride-silicon carbide composite material having a microstructure formed predominantly of equiaxed grains with an average grain size of 2 .mu.m or below and a silicon carbide content of 10-50% by volume, obtained by liquid-phase sintering, at least 40% by volume of the silicon nitride in the material being in the .beta.-phase, by superplastically deforming said material at a strain rate of 10.sup.-6 sec.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-1 sec.sup.-1 under application of tensile stress or compressive stress in a superplastic temperature region of 1400.degree.-1700.degree. C., and a process for shaping ceramic composites which comprises shaping said sintered composite material by superplastic deformation as described above and then heat-treating the shaped article obtained in a non-oxidizing atmosphere under normal or applied pressure at 1000.degree.-2300.degree. C.

Abstract: A living hard tissue replacement is prepared by subjecting a calcium phosphate base ceramic material to superplastic forming. Also provided is a method for preparing a composite body comprising the step of joining a cover of a calcium phosphate base ceramic material to a substrate of a heterogeneous material by superplastic forming. Superplastic forming is often performed by hot isostatic pressing. The living hard tissue replacement and composite body are useful as artificial dental roots, dental crowns, and bones.

Abstract: A joint sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic article is obtained by joining two sintered high-temperature superconductive ceramic masses formed of oriented crystal grains in such a manner that the directions of grain-orientation are different across the interface of union and pressing the joined ceramic masses against each other perpendicularly to the interface of union and, at the same time, heating them.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the activity of a fast evaporating insecticide characterized by incorporating in a pyrethroid insecticide one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a phthalic ester, aliphatic ester, aliphatic dibasic ester, aromatic carboxylic ester, higher aliphatic alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, glycol ether and a hydrocarbon having 10 or more carbon atoms and one or more antioxidants.