Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions which comprise as a first component at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula (I) and as a second component at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula (II), the content of the first component being not less than 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition wherein R1 and R3 are independently an alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—; R2 is an alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, —F or —Cl; X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 and X10 are independently —F or —H; X9 is —F, —Cl, —CF3, —OCF3 or —OCF2H; A1 and A2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any —H may be replaced by —F; Z1 and Z3 are independently a single bond, —(CH2)2— or —(CH2)4—; Z2 is a single

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and also liquid-crystal mixtures comprising these compounds, and their use in liquid-crystal displays: in which R1 is H, F, CF3, OCF3, OCF2H, OCFH2, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical, R2 is H, an alkyl radical or alkyloxy radical or an alkenyl radical or alkenyloxy radical, M1 and M2 are —C(═O)O—, —OC(═O)—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —OCF2—, —CF2O—, —C≡C—, —CH2CH2—, —CF2CF2—, —CF═CF—C(═O)O— or a single bond A1 and A2 are &agr;-1,4-diyl, unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted by F; where &agr; is: phenylene cyclohexane, 1-cyclohexene, or 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl m and n are zero or 1; m+n=0 or 1 L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 are H or F.

Abstract: A photocurable composition, wherein a small amount of an alicyclic skeleton-containing mono(meth) acrylate is incorporated in a combination of an alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate and a mercapto compound, a cured product obtained by the copolymerization thereof, and a process for producing the cured product.

Abstract: Wood surfaces treated to be inkjet receptive media are disclosed, where the wood surface is treated in a manner that can control the spread of an ink droplet reaching the wood surface to provide a superior image graphic. The treatment uses an image fixing agent comprising an aqueous solution of containing an organo-metallic complex of a hydrophobic fatty acid coordinated with a halogenated trivalent chromium. Veneers, plywoods, and particle boards having faces of lesser value woods can be digitally imaged to give the appearance of higher value woods or other customized inkjet images. Environmental and economic considerations benefit from the use of commonly available wood surfaces to simulate exotic and threatened wood species.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon a porous image-receiving layer with at least 30% by weight of particles and at least 30% by weight of a binder, the particles being a mixture of a) silica gel particles having an average particle size of greater than about 9 &mgr;m in diameter; and b) silica gel particles having an average particle size of between 1 and about 8 &mgr;m in diameter; wherein the ratio of the a) silica gel particles to the b) silica gel particles is from about 0.5 to about 5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition having excellent oxygen absorption property. This thermoplastic resin composition comprises a thermoplastic resin (A), a multilayered polymer particle (B) and a transition metal salt (C), wherein the multilayered polymer particle (B) has at least one oxygen absorption layer, the oxygen absorption layer comprises a diene polymer (B1) containing a conjugated diene monomer as a polymerization component, and the transition metal salt (C) is contained in an amount of 1 to 5000 ppm in terms of a metal element thereof.

Abstract: A laminated plastic molded body of the present invention comprises a laminated plastic molded body having a layered structure portion of three-layers or five-layers in which a resin layer A and a resin layer B are alternatively laminated, wherein the resin layer A provided at least at the surface side of the layered structure portion is a mixed resin layer of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) resin and at least one resin selected from the group consisting of an amorphous polyester resin, an ethylene naphthalate-ethylene terephthalate copolymer resin and a meta-xylene group-containing polyamide resin, and the resin layer B interposed between the resin layers A is a barrier resin layer comprising at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a meta-xylene group-containing polyamide resin and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin.

Abstract: A rubber hose having a multilayer wall is formed of an inner layer of NBR type rubber having a high AN content, available at a low cost and highly impermeable to fuel and an outer layer of a rubber composition having a minimum Mooney viscosity of 25 to 65 at its curing temperature and highly resistant to flattening. Those layers are extruded and cured together without the aid of any mandrel owing to the inside diameter and wall thickness of the hose and the thickness of the outer layer which fall within specific ranges. This process enables the manufacture of a fuel hose having a high fuel impermeability at a low cost, while protecting its inner wall effectively from flattening during curing.

Abstract: A release liner includes a surface with an arrangement of structures thereon, wherein the structures extend upward from a plane of the surface, and wherein the structures have at least one sidewall that makes an angle with respect to the plane of the surface of greater than 0° and less than 90° selected to enhance adhesion to a tape.

Abstract: A magnetic disk with an embossed pattern is provided. The disk comprises a magnetic film formed on a substrate provided with an erose embossed pattern on a surface along a circumferential direction, said embossed pattern having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a inclined portion or a vertical portion between the upper surface and the lower surface. In the disk, at least the magnetic film in the inclined portion or the vertical portion of the embossed pattern is magnetized, the direction of said magnetization in the magnetic film in the inclined portion or the vertical portion in cross section in the circumferential direction of the magnetic disk is substantially parallel with a film surface of the magnetic film, and said magnetic film in the inclined portion or the vertical portion has a magnetization reversal area.

Abstract: The present invention describes a structure for and a method of forming a first set and a second set of features in a substrate; covering the first and second set of features with a material; forming a third set of features in the material and removing the material to expose the first set of features, leaving the second set of features embedded below the material; measuring post-etch overlay between the first set and the third set of features; and measuring post-develop overlay between the second set and the third set of features.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement film includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of brightness units arranged to form an array on the top surface. The brightness unit is consisted of a first cured surface and a second curved surface. Each of the first cured surface and the second curved surface is extended downward to terminate at a curved bottom edge so as to form a uniform curvature of the curved surface.

Abstract: An extruded hollow thermoplastic board, which includes a pair of flat and parallel sheets spaced apart and interconnected by extending ribs, generally has a plurality of depression bands in the areas where the flat sheets and extending ribs are joined. The bands, which negatively affect the surface flatness, are especially apparent for crystalline thermoplastic materials. A hollow thermoplastic board, which effectively reduces the depth of the depression bands by inclusion of locationally fixed gas pockets in the rib area during production, is disclosed in the present invention. The hollow thermoplastic board of the present invention substantially enhances the surface smoothness and is highly beneficial to applications such as printing, lamination and graphic art. The present invention also provides a method for production of the hollow thermoplastic boards of smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A multilayer circuit component and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the difference of the amounts of baking shrinkages between each of the glass-containing layers is small, and the enlargement rate of the diameter of the via hole formed in each of the glass-containing layers is close to those in the other layers, so that it is possible to prevent a short circuit defect due to the mutual short circuit of the conductors in the via hole from occurring, and the warp of the substrate is reduced. The multilayer circuit component is provided with at least two glass-containing layers on a substrate, differentiating the softening temperature of glass compounded in the first glass-containing layer formed on the substrate from the softening temperature of glass compounded in the second glass-containing layer formed on the first glass-containing layer.

Abstract: A glass fiber wall covering is made by sequential application of aqueous dispersion and an image coating to selectively create an image for painted effects. The image pattern is based on a spatial expansion of second image coating upon heating during the drying process.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic composite is described which contains at least one supporting zone having oxidation-sensitive reinforcing fibers as well as a matrix. The matrix optionally contains oxidation-sensitive components. The composite further contains at least one surface layer, as well as at least one additional protective layer disposed between the supporting zone and surface layer, and whose matrix is composed substantially of at least one component of the matrix of the supporting zone or cover layer. The protective layer further contains additives that form self-healing layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic system, having a member which includes a surface layer and also may include a base layer. The surface layer is prepared from a surface layer composition which includes a fluoroelastomer and a boron nitride filler coupled with a silane.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic recording medium having excellent coating film smoothness, electromagnetic characteristics and running durability. A magnetic recording medium comprises a nonmagnetic layer comprising a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and at least one magnetic layer comprising a magnetic material and a binder in this order. The magnetic material is an acicular ferromagnetic material having a major axis length ranging from 20 to 100 nm, the nonmagnetic layer and at least a magnetic layer adjacent to the nonmagnetic layer are obtained by simultaneously multilayer coating a nonmagnetic layer coating liquid and a magnetic layer coating liquid and exposing to radiation. The binder comprised in the nonmagnetic layer coating liquid comprises a vinyl chloride copolymer having a molecular weight ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 and a radiation-curing functional group. The magnetic layer coating liquid does not comprise a binder component having a radiation-curing functional group.

Abstract: There is disclosed a magnetoresistive film in which increase of a coupling field accompanying thickness reduction of a middle layer is inhibited. The magnetoresistive film is a multilayered film including a pinned layer 3 having magnetization whose direction is fixed, a nonmagnetic middle layer 4 formed on the pinned layer, and a free layer 5 formed on the middle layer and provided with magnetization whose direction changes in accordance with an external magnetic field, the magnetoresistive film indicates a magnitude of resistance in accordance with an angle formed by the magnetization direction of the pinned layer and the magnetization direction of the free layer, and a copper oxide layer 7 of an oxide including a copper element is formed directly on the free layer, or on the free layer via an oxide layer 6 of a material fabricated by oxidizing a material constituting the free layer.

Abstract: A radiation detackifiable adhesive composition comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer including from 85 wt. % to 97.5 wt. % of a (meth)acrylate ester and from 2.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of a copolymerizable carboxylate monomer and a multi-functional urethane acrylate oligomer combined with the (meth)acrylate copolymer to provide from 25 parts to 40 parts of the oligomer per 100 parts of the copolymer. The adhesive composition becomes progressively detackified during exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Properties of adhesive compositions may be maintained at elevated temperatures, from about 115° C. to about 155° C., when they include a thermally stable free radical initiator to overcome premature adhesive detackification. The present invention further provides a clear adhesive coated sheet for supporting a silicon wafer during manufacture of semiconductor microchips. The coated sheet comprises a transparent film substrate coated with a radiation detackifiable adhesive composition.

Abstract: An adhesive tape having a backing and an adhesive composition, wherein the adhesive composition is a butadiene-acrylate dispersion having a butadiene content of more than 55% in a blend with natural rubber latex and has been coated onto the backing and then dried.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high strength and low shrinkage polyester yarn, which has tenacity of 7.4 g/d or higher, elongation at break of 19 to 26%, shrinkage percentage of 2% or lower, and respective thermal-stress peaks of 3×10−2 to 7.5×10−2 g/d and 8.0×10−2 to 10.5×10−2 g/d at temperature ranges of 100 to 140° C. and 230 to 240° C., and process for its preparation. The high strength and low shrinkage polyester yarn is advantageous in that it has desirable resistance to external load and excellent dimensional stability, and is very useful as an industrial yarn with uniform shrinkage and excellent dimensional stability during a post-process for application to tarpaulin and truck covers.

Abstract: Unique thermoplastic monofilament fibers and yarns that exhibit heretofore unattained physical properties are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the extrusion of thermoplastic resins that include a certain class of nucleating agent therein, and are able to be drawn at high ratios with such nucleating agents present that the tenacity and modulus strength are much higher than any other previously produced thermoplastic fibers, particularly those that also simultaneously exhibit extremely low shrinkage rates. Thus, such fibers require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target thermoplastic (for example, polypropylene), particularly after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target thermoplastic after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and allowing such an oriented polymer to cool.

Abstract: A coated transport roll comprised of a core with a coating comprised of a charge transporting polymer and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber including a fiber and a deactivated surface-bonded sol-gel coating on a portion of the fiber to form a solid phase microextraction coating on the portion of the fiber, wherein the solid-phase microextraction coating is capable of preconcentrating trace organic compounds in various matrices. A sol-gel method of preparing SPME fibers with chemically bonded stationary phase coatings that serve as solvent-free extraction media including the step of chemically bonding the sol-gel stationary phase with the SPME fiber surface during its creation through sol-gel reactions.

Abstract: A textile article having flame resistant properties includes a plurality of inherently flame resistant polyester fibers formed into a fabric, and a finish on the fabric including a cyclic phosphonate flame retardant. The finish imparts a property selected from the group consisting of: a molecularly bound antimicrobial agent which is an organosilane, a fluorochemical soil and fluid repellant, and the finished textile article has a flame resistance that passes the standard method NFPA 701-1996 edition testing protocol.

Abstract: Bulk, superhard, B-C-N nanocomposite compact and method for preparing thereof. The bulk, superhard, nanocomposite compact is a well-sintered compact and includes nanocrystalline grains of at least one high-pressure phase of B-C-N surrounded by amorphous diamond-like carbon grain boundaries. The bulk compact has a Vicker's hardness of about 41-68 GPa. It is prepared by ball milling a mixture of graphite and hexagonal boron nitride, encapsulating the ball-milled mixture, and sintering the encapsulated ball-milled mixture at a pressure of about 5-25 GPa and at a temperature of about 1000-2500 K.

Abstract: A multi-layer article includes a first polymer layer, a substrate, and a bonding layer on a surface of the first polymer layer and in contact with the substrate.

Abstract: An electroconductive sheet comprising a substrate layer of a thermoplastic resin comprising an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer type resin and/or a polystyrene type resin and having laminated on at least one side of the substrate layer, a surface layer of an electroconductive resin composition comprising a polycarbonate type resin and from 5 to 50 wt % of carbon black.

Abstract: A composition containing a non-flammable chlorofluoro-olefin copolymer having a crystallinity index less than about 10% and a weight-average molecular weight greater than about 1,000,000 daltons, wherein the copolymer has at least two comonomer units of the formula: CX2CYA wherein each X is independently selected from H, Cl and F; Y is selected from H, Cl, F, O(CZ2)nCZ3, (CZ2)nCZ3, (OCZ2CZ2)nCZ3 and (O(CZ2)n)nCZ3, wherein each n is independently from about 1 to about 12 and each Z is independently selected from H, Cl and F; and A is selected from H, Cl and F, provided that for at least one comonomer unit, at least one of A, Y, either X or any Z is Cl. Substrates coated with the copolymer compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing electromagnetic radiation reflecting devices, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a silicon substrate defined by at least one first free surface, b) forming on said first surface a layer of protective material provided with an opening which exposes a region of the first free surface, and c)etching the region of the free surface by means of an anisotropic agent to remove at least one portion of the substrate and define a second free surface of the substrate inclined in relation to said first surface. Furthermore, said first free surface is parallel to the crystalline planes {110} of silicon substrate and said step (c) comprises a progressing step of the anisotropic agent such that the second free surface resulting from the etching step is parallel to the planes {100} of said substrate.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. An SiO2-containing plasma treated coating is provided, the coating being formed by providing a porous network coating produced from a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—H groups, curing the porous network coating by heating to a temperature sufficient to convert the porous network coating into a ceramic, and plasma treating the porous network coating to reduce an amount of Si—H bonds. Plasma treating the porous network coating provides a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. Accordingly, the plasma treated coating can be annealed to provide an annealed, plasma treated coating having a lower dielectric constant and a comparable elastic modulus. The annealed, SiO2-containing plasma treated coating can have a dielectric constant between about 1.1 and about 3.5, and an elastic modulus greater than or about 4 GPa.

Abstract: A process for forming a metallic article having a black ornamental surface includes the steps of metallurgically providing an alloy containing between about 51 and 70 about percent by weight of titanium, between about 3 and about 17 percent by weight of niobium, and the balance of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium zirconium, chromium, and mixtures thereof. The alloy is then casted and/or metal worked into a workpiece having a desired geometry and surface texture. The workpiece thereof is then baked in a kiln or oven in a substantially air atmosphere of between about 450 and about 850 degrees C. for a period of between about one and about 29 minutes. Resultant of such baking, there is produced a durable black surface layer consisting substantially of an oxide of niobium which is adhered to the substrate of the workpiece which remains unoxidized.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bond-compatible composite membrane comprising a first self-adhesive material layer and a second rough fabric layer, and its use as an intermediate layer between a building structure substrate and exterior finishing materials. Unlike conventional composite membranes, the bond-compatible composite membrane has a rough surface that allows bonding materials to adhere to it. Therefore, mechanical devices are not needed to attach the exterior finishing materials to the building structure.

Abstract: A rubber laminate strengthening the bonding strength at a high temperature and under high strain by adjusting the formulation of the bonding rubber arranged between a hydrogenated NBR composition and general diene-based rubber.

Abstract: This invention relates to magneto-optical recording media such as magneto-optical disks and cards, manufacturing methods of the medium and a magneto-optical recording and playback device to record and play back data using the magneto-optical recording media. The magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention has a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrate, and the recording layer has a layered structure in which at least one spinel ferrite (or rutile-type oxide or hematite) layer and at least one garnet ferrite layer are piled together. It is preferable that the layered structure is formed on tracks where data are recorded. The manufacturing method of the present invention comprises the steps of heat treatment in the range of 500-700° C., preferably 600-630° C., after the formation of the recording layer.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium which includes a base body (1-4), first and second magnetic layers (5 and 7), each being of a ferromagnetic material, and a spacer layer (6) formed between the first and the second magnetic layers for inducing antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the first and the second magnetic layers, the second magnetic layer located farther from the base body than the first magnetic layer includes a primary layer (72) and a secondary layer (71) located nearer to the base body than the primary layer. The primary layer has a primary anisotropic magnetic field while the secondary layer has a secondary anisotropic magnetic field which is smaller than the primary anisotropic magnetic field. The first magnetic layer is for controlling the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction.

Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor element enabling formation of a nitride-based semiconductor layer having low dislocation density, consisting of a material different from that of an underlayer, on the underlayer with a small thickness is obtained. This nitride-based semiconductor element comprises a plurality of mask layers formed at a prescribed interval to be in contact with the upper surface of the underlayer while partially exposing the underlayer and the nitride-based semiconductor layer, formed on the upper surface of the underlayer and the mask layers, consisting of the material different from that of the underlayer. The minimum distance between adjacent mask layers is smaller than the width of an exposed part of the underlayer located between the adjacent mask layers.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic part having a first thermoplastic component and a second thermoplastic component. Areas consisting of the first thermoplastic component are present at least on one surface of the injection-molded plastic part next to areas of the second thermoplastic component. The first thermoplastic component is an LCP and the second thermoplastic component is a syndiotactic polystyrene.

Abstract: The invention uses iridium and iridium compounds as a protective capping layer on multilayers having reflectivity in the deep ultra-violet to soft x-ray regime. The iridium compounds can be formed in one of two ways: by direct deposition of the iridium compound from a prepared target or by depositing a thin layer (e.g., 5-50 angstroms) of iridium directly onto an element. The deposition energy of the incoming iridium is sufficient to activate the formation of the desired iridium compound. The compounds of most interest are iridium silicide (IrSix) and iridium molybdenide (IrMox).

Abstract: A plated copper alloy material for connecting terminals is provided which comprises a parent material of copper or copper alloy, a nickel layer and a copper-tin alloy layer. The nickel layer has a thickness of 0.1-1.0 &mgr;m. The copper-tin alloy layer has a thickness of 0.1-1.0 &mgr;m and contains 35-75 at % of copper. The material may additionally have a tin layer no thicker than 0.5 &mgr;m for an engaging type terminal containing 0.001-0.1 mass % of carbon, or thicker than 0.5 &mgr;m for a non-engaging type connector. The material meets requirements for capability of insertion with a small force, good electric reliability (due to low contact resistance) in a high-temperature atmosphere, workability for sharp bending without cracking, good solder wettability and good corrosion resistance to sulfur dioxide gas.

Abstract: A tantalum or tungsten target-backing plate assembly which comprises a tantalum or tungsten target and a copper alloy backing plate that are subject to diffusion bonding via an aluminum- or aluminum alloy-sheet insert material at least 0.5 mm thick, and which is provided with diffusion bonded interfaces between the respective materials, wherein the assembly suffers only a small deformation after diffusion bonding and is free from separation between the target and the backing plate or from cracking even when the target material and the backing plate differ greatly in thermal expansion, and can survive high power sputtering; and a production method therefor.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device comprising an anode, a cathode and one or more than one organic thin-film layers including a light-emitting layer between said anode and said cathode, wherein at least one of said organic thin-film layers contains, either singly or as a mixture, a perylene compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein at least one of R1 to R12 is a substituted amino group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a white light emitting organic electroluminescent (EL) device and a method for fabricating the same. The device comprises: a substrate; an anode formed on the substrate; at least one hole transporting layer formed on the anode; at least one luminescent layer (DPVBi) formed on the hole transporting layer, wherein a first dopant (DCM2) is doped into the luminescent layer; at least one electron transporting layer formed on the luminescent layer, wherein a second dopant (C6) is doped into the electron transporting layer; and a cathode formed on the electron transporting layer; wherein a first light (red) is emitted by the first dopant, a second light (green) is emitted by the second dopant, and a third light (blue) is emitted by the luminescent layer when the device is applied with a bias voltage.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device containing a number of layers with a mixed region of a hole transport compound, and an electron transport compound, and hole and electron transport regions.

Abstract: A description is given of an electroluminescent device (1) comprising an active layer (7) of an organic charge-transfer compound having a donor-bridge-acceptor structure in a polymer matrix. A blue emitting EL device may be formed having a high electroluminescent intensity and increased stability.

Abstract: A double layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a high medium S/N ratio at a recording density of 50 Gb/in2 or higher and a magnetic storage apparatus with a lower error rate and excellent reliability are obtained with a structure having soft magnetic underlayer 12, an intermediate layer 13 and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer 14 are sequentially formed on a substrate 11. The, intermediate layer 13 is made to be a non-magnetic amorphous alloy, in which Ni is a main component and Zr is contained, and the soft magnetic underlayer 12 is constituted of ferromagnetic nano-crystals precipitated by annealing.

Abstract: Laminated magnetic recording medium with two Co-containing layers separated by a non-magnetic interlayer is stablished by Ru-containing layers between the recording layers and Co-containing stablization layers through antiferromagnetic coupling.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes: a non-magnetic support; a lower non-magnetic layer; and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder, in this order, wherein the magnetic layer has a coercive force of 2,500 to 3,500 oersted (197.5 to 276.5 kA/m), and a squareness ratio of 0.70 to 0.85 in a length direction thereof, and the binder in the magnetic layer is a urethane resin having a glass transition temperature Tg of 70° C. or higher.

Abstract: A multilayer article comprises a substrate comprising a ceramic or a silicon-containing metal alloy. The ceramic is a Si-containing ceramic or an oxide ceramic with or without silicon. An outer layer overlies the substrate and at least one intermediate layer is located between the outer layer and the substrate. An optional bond layer is disposed between the at least one intermediate layer and the substrate. The at least one intermediate layer may comprise an optional chemical barrier layer adjacent the outer layer, a mullite-containing layer and an optional chemical barrier layer adjacent to the bond layer or substrate. The outer layer comprises a compound having a low coefficient of thermal expansion selected from one of the following systems: rare earth (RE) silicates; at least one of hafnia and hafnia-containing composite oxides; zirconia-containing composite oxides and combinations thereof.