Abstract: A TiCN-based cermet comprises 5-25 weight % of a binder phase mainly composed of Co and/or Ni, the balance being substantially a hard phase and inevitable impurities, the hard phase being mainly composed of carbide, nitride and/or carbonitride and containing at least Ti and W, the cermet having a cross-section microstructure in which the number of Ti-rich particles having an area of 0.02 &mgr;m2 or more is 1000 or less per a unit area of 1000 &mgr;m2.

Abstract: In the multi-layer-coated member composed of an ultra-hard alloy substrate and a multi-layer coating formed thereon, the multi-layer coating comprises two or more first layers each composed of at least one of carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of elements of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table and Al, and two or more second layers each composed of at least one of oxides, carboxides, oxinitrides and carboxinitrides of elements of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table and Al laminated alternately. The first layers adjacent via the second layer are continuous in crystal orientation.

Abstract: A cermet alloy having a structure including a hard phase and a bonding phase which is composed of at least one ferrous metal, said bonding phase containing fine hard grains of a mean grain size not greater than 2000 .ANG. dispersed therein. The structure has a composition consisting of 10 to 70 wt % of TiCN, 5 to 30 wt % of WC, 5 to 30 wt % of NbC, 1 to 10 wt % of Mo.sub.2 C, 0.5 to 5 wt% of VC, 0.05 to 3 wt % of ZrC, 5 to 25 wt % of (Ni, Co), and not smaller than 2.5 wt% of total nitrogen and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A highly heat-conductive aluminum nitride sintered body comprising 95.5 to 99.8% by weight of an aluminum nitride grain phase having an average grain size of 2 to 10 .mu.m and the rest being substantially a dysprosium oxide phase and having a density of at least 99% of the theoretical density, at least 30% by weight of the oxide phase existing at the triple points of the aluminum nitride grains. By forming an alumina-based oxide layer on the sintered body and further forming on the oxide layer a plating layer of Ni and/or Cu via a vapor deposition layer, there can be obtained a semiconductor substrate having a high bonding strength to solder.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing an oxide superconductor which has a uniform texture and is markedly high in sintered density and current density.The method involves the formation of intermediate products from the starting materials. The intermediate products are then used to form the final product. Specifically, to form an oxide superconducting material having a compositional formulaYBa.sub.2 CU.sub.3 O.sub.7-8,where 8 is more than zero but less than 0.5, the method of the invention includes forming a first intermediate product of Y.sub.2 CU.sub.2 O.sub.5, forming a second intermediate product of BaCuO.sub.2, mixing the first and second intermediate products, and sintering the intermediate product mixture to form the oxide superconducting material.

Abstract: This invention provides a cermet alloy improved in toughness high-temperature strength and chipping resistance. This cermet alloy consists essentially of 50-95% by weight of a hard phase of a composite carbo-nitride of at least both of W and Ti and, optionally, one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Groups 4a, 5a and 6a elements of the periodic table, the balance being a binding phase, of an Fe family element or elements and inevitable impurities, said composite carbo-nitride has a rim-and-core structure which comprises a core portion of a composite carbo-nitride poor in Ti and nitrogen, surrounded thereon by a rim portion of a composite carbo-nitride rich in Ti and nitrogen. It is preferred that the hard phase consists of 50% by volume or less of TiN or TiCN particles having N.gtoreq.C and forming no rim-and-core structure and the composite carbo-nitride having the rim-and-core structure.

Abstract: A tough cermet made from 20-92 weight % of TiC and/or TiCN, 5-50 weight % of WC and 3-30 weight % of an iron-gorup metal. This tough cermet has a three phase grain microstructure and is made is mixing titanium carbonitride powder and up to 70 weight % of the total amount of the tungsten carbide fine powder. The resulting mixture is melted to form a solid solution, pulverized, mixed with the remaining amount of tungsten carbide fine powder, and sintered at temperatures of 1325.degree.-1650.degree. C.

Abstract: A tough cermet made from 20-92 weight % of TiC and/or TiCN, 5-50 weight % of WC and 3-30 weight % of an iron-group metal. This tough cermet has a three phase grain microstructure consisting of a core phase rich in TiC and/or TiCN, an intermediate phase rich in WC and surrounding the core phase, and an outer phase made of (Ti,W)C and/or (Ti,W)CN and surrounding the intermediate phase. Because of this three-phase microstructure, the cermet has high toughness without sacrificing hardness. It is prepared by using WC powder of as fine as less than 3 .mu.m, without taking the course of forming a solid solution of TiC and/or TiCN and WC and pulverizing it.

Abstract: A ceramic material for cutting tools is provided. The ceramic material has a high thermal conductivity and an excellent resistance to chipping failure and comprises a total of 10 to 40% by weight of titanium boride and titanium carbide, and 0.5 to 10% by weight of zirconia, the balance being alumina and incidental impurities.