Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb product comprising a thin-walled ceramic honeycomb structure incorporating a plurality of parallel channels bounded by thin channel walls traversing the body from a first end face to a second end face thereof; and a composite coating disposed on at least one end face of the structure comprising a powder of an abrasion-resistant ceramic dispersed in a dried siliceous matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the manufacture of high porosity ceramic exhaust filters employing relatively low amounts of pore formers, the filters combining efficient diesel particulate filtration with effective support for exhaust emissions control catalysts. Cordierite-forming ceramic batches comprising non-hydrated transition alumina powders of relatively large particle size provide high porosities with well-controlled pore sizes and with low filter thermal expansion coefficients and good mechanical strengths.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plugged honeycomb structure includes the steps of: applying a predetermined amount of the plugging slurry on a face of an end face sealing member, one end face of the masked honeycomb structure is pressed against the face to which the plugging slurry was applied of the end face sealing member to fill the plugging slurry in the predetermined cells on the one end face side, and drying at least the plugging slurry at a portion in contact with the face of the end face sealing member in a state that the face of the end face sealing member is pressed against the one end face of the masked honeycomb structure. The method can manufacture simply at a low cost a plugged honeycomb structure with reduced accumulation of deposit on an end face when the honeycomb structure is used as a filter or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are washcoated ceramic honeycomb filters. The ceramic filters exhibit a relatively high level of washcoat loading while exhibiting minimized levels of backpressure. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the washcoated ceramic honeycomb filters. The method comprises providing an cell geometry derived from a predetermined level of washcoat loading to be applied to the ceramic honeycomb article.

Abstract: Disclosed are cement compositions for applying to honeycomb substrates. The cement compositions contain an inorganic powder batch composition; a binder; a liquid vehicle; and an elastic modulus reducing additive. The elastic modulus reducing additive can contain a ceramic fiber or a monohydrated alumina. The cement compositions are well suited for forming ceramic diesel particulate wall flow filters. Also disclosed herein are end plugged wall flow filters that include the disclosed cement compositions and methods for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article with increased mechanical strength and thermal shock resistance. The porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb article has MA<2220, or MT>2660 wherein MA=3645(IA)?106(CTE)+19(d90)+17(% porosity), MT=4711(IT)+116(CTE)?26(d90)?28(% porosity), and a CTE?9×10?7/° C. in at least one direction. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed wherein the inorganic raw material mixture contains talc, an alumina-forming source, a silica-forming source, and 0-18 wt. % of a kaolin or calcined kaolin containing not more than 8 wt. % of a fine kaolin source having a median particle diameter of less than 7 ?m, wherein the fired porous ceramic cordierite honeycomb article has a porosity<54% . Alternatively, if greater than 8 wt. % of the fine kaolin source is used, then a slow ramp rate is utilized from 1200° C. to 1300° C. of not more than 20° C./hr.

Abstract: An exhaust gas filter apparatus includes a particulate filter for collecting a particulate from an exhaust gas. The exhaust gas filter also includes a electromagnetic radiation resonator to heat a portion of the particulate to ignite the particulate and regenerate the particulate filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb articles has a plurality of cell channels and intersecting porous walls and possess a microstructure characterized by a pore size distribution wherein greater than or equal to 75% of the pore size distribution of the porosity of the porous walls, by volume, have a pore diameter (dv) wherein dv<10.0 ?m and less than or equal to 35% of the pore size distribution have dv?4.0 ?m. Additionally, the pore diameter dv90?14.0 ?m, and CTE?12.0×10?7/° C. from 25° C. to 800° C. The articles exhibits high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Additionally, high porosity articles having porosity greater than or equal to 40% and low surface roughness of Ra<4.0 ?m are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honeycomb structure having excellent thermal shock resistance. The honeycomb structure contains cordierite as a main component, and has an average pore diameter of 4 ?m or more and 10 ?m or less, a total pore volume of 0.18 cm3/g or more and 0.22 cm3/g or less, and Young's modulus of 4 GPa or more and 6 GPa or less.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an exhaust gas purifying filter that captures and purifies particulates involved in an exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine, a honeycomb mold body of a desired length is firstly made by an extrusion molding step. In a sealing and enlarging step, tapered front parts of a multi-taper jig are inserted into the corresponding openings of the cells. The multi-taper jig is then oscillatory moved in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the ceramic mold body while heating the partition walls forming the cells, so that the opening of one cell is closed and sealed completely and the opening of the adjacent cell is enlarged in area. Finally, the honeycomb mold body is burned.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic article comprising the steps of providing a plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition comprising an inorganic ceramic powder batch composition; a liquid vehicle; and an organic binder system comprising at least one organic lubricant grafted to a cellulose ether binder. An extruded green body can be formed from the plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition and subsequently fired under conditions effective to convert the extruded green body into a unitary ceramic article. Also provided are ceramic articles manufactured by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter comprising a plugged, wall-flow honeycomb filter body composed of cordierite and having a plurality of parallel end-plugged cell channels traversing the body from a frontal inlet end to an outlet end thereof, wherein the filter exhibits a CTE (25-800° C.) of less than 13×10?7/° C., a bulk filter density of less than 0.60 g/cm3, a median pore diameter, d50, of less than 25 micrometers, a porosity and pore size distribution that satisfy the relationship Pm?3.75, wherein Pm is equal to 10.2474{1/[(d50)2(%porosity/100)]}+0.0366183(d90)?0.00040119(d90)2+0.468815(100/%porosity)2+0.0297715(d50)+1.61639(d50?d10)/d50, wherein d10, and d90 are pore diameters at 10% and 90% of the pore size distribution on a volumetric basis, and d10<d50<d90. A method of making the same is also provided.

Abstract: The ceramic honeycomb structure has a plurality of cells partitioned by porous partition walls and extending through the structure in an axial direction, one end portion of a predetermined cell is plugged with a plugging portion constituted of a plugging material with which the cell is filled, and the other end portion of a remaining cell is plugged with the plugging portion on a side opposite to the end portion of the predetermined cell. In the ceramic honeycomb structure, a sectional numerical aperture of the plugging portion in the vicinity of the partition wall is smaller than that of the plugging portion in the vicinity of a central axis, and a difference between the sectional numerical apertures is 10% or more.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter includes partition walls forming a plurality of cells extending in one direction, and plugging sections alternately plugging the cells at the ends of the honeycomb filter, the partition walls being formed of a porous base material having a porosity of 45 to 70%. When the average pore size of the base material measured by mercury porosimetry is (A) ?m and the average pore size of the base material measured by a bubble point method is (B) ?m, the average pore size differential rate expressed by “{(A?B)/B}*100” is 35% or less, and the maximum pore size of the base material measured by the bubble point method is 150 ?m or less.

Abstract: A porous mullite composition is made by forming a mixture of one or more precursor compounds having the elements present in mullite (e.g., clay, alumina, silica) and a property enhancing compound. The property enhancing compound is a compound having an element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe, Na, K, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, B, Y, Sc, La and combination thereof. The mixture is shaped and to form a porous green shape which is heated under an atmosphere having a fluorine containing gas to a temperature sufficient to form a mullite composition comprised substantially of acicular mullite grains that are essentially chemically bound.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles, which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high porosity between 42% and 56%, and relatively narrow pore size distribution wherein less than 15% of the total porosity has a pore diameter less than 10 ?m, less than 20% of the total porosity has a pore diameter greater than 30 ?m, and dbreadth?1.50 wherein dbreadth=(d90?d10)/d50. The articles exhibits high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the ceramic article wherein the pore former is preferably potato starch having a median particle diameter greater than 40 ?m.

Abstract: There are newly provided an index which quantitatively indicates shapes of kaolin particles, and a method of measuring the index. There is also provided a method of manufacturing a low-thermal-expansion honeycomb structure suitable for an application such as a car exhaust gas purifying catalyst carrier by use of the kaolin particles whose index is not less than a predetermined value. A certain amount of kaolin particles 1 are pressed and filled into a container 2, peak intensities of the kaolin particles 1 in (200), (020), and (002) faces are measured by X-ray diffraction, respectively, and a cleavage index of the kaolin particles 1 is calculated from the resultant measured values by the following equation (1): Cleavage index=(002)/[(200)+(020)+(002)]??(Equation 1), wherein (200), (020), and (002) denote values of the peak intensities of the kaolin particles measured in the (200), (020), and (002) faces by the X-ray diffraction, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sintered ceramic article that exhibits a primary crystalline phase of cordierite having an analytical oxide composition, expressed in weight percent on an oxide basis, of 49-53% SiO2, 33-38% Al2O3, 12-16% MgO and which exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or more negative than ?0.6×10?7/° C. over the temperature range of about 25° C. to about 800° C. Also disclosed is a method for producing a ceramic article comprising the aforementioned cordierite.

Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structure 1 including porous partition walls 2 disposed so as to form a plurality of through holes 3a, 3b extending from one end portion to the other end portion in A-axis direction, and containing cordierite as a main component. When porosity is P (%), compressive strength in the A-axis direction is C(MPa), and open frontal area is A (%); a relation of C?(600e ?0.0014AP)+0.5 is satisfied. The honeycomb structure has small pressure loss, is hardly damaged, and has excellent trapping efficiency.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure is made of cordierite and has a plurality of cells separated from each other by porous partition walls and functioning as fluid passages. The honeycomb structure has a thermal expansion coefficient of 0.25×10?6/° C. or less, an average pore diameter is 3 to 8 ?m, and a porosity of 25% or more. The honeycomb structure is made of cordierite excellent in thermal shock resistance even with large pore diameters and high porosity.

Abstract: Disclosed are plugging mixtures for forming a ceramic honeycomb wall flow filter. The plugging mixtures exhibit a reduced percentage of volumetric shrinkage during the drying process and generally comprise an inorganic ceramic powder batch composition; an organic binder; a liquid vehicle; and a non-foaming volume transformation agent. Also disclosed are methods for forming plugged ceramic wall flow filters from such plugging mixtures and honeycomb articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: A porous cordierite substrate and a method of forming a porous cordierite substrate including providing a fiber that includes at least one cordierite precursor material and providing at least one organic binder material. The fiber and the organic binder material are mixed with a fluid. The mix of fiber, organic binder material and fluid is extruded into a green substrate. The green substrate is fired to enable the formation of bonds between the fibers and to form a porous cordierite fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a ceramic article which includes providing a batch comprising components of (i) a mixture of inorganic raw materials comprising talc, alumina, and silica; (ii) a binder comprising a water-soluble organic binder and a fibrous silicate mineral having a high aspect ratio in combination with a large surface area that is highly charged and has a strong interaction with a polar solvent, and is further characterized by a median particle size of 1-2 microns; and (iii) a polar solvent; mixing the batch components to form a homogenous and plasticized mass; shaping the plasticized mass into a green body wherein the green body has improved strength in a temperature region between 300°-900° C. to resist cracking during subsequent sintering; and, sintering the green body by heating to a temperature and for a time to initiate and sufficiently achieve conversion of the green body into a fired ceramic article.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb substrate for use in an automotive catalytic converter system which exhibits improved light-off performance by virtue of a high porosity of 45 to 75% while still maintaining a wall thickness of greater than 2.0 mil (0.0020 inch, 0.0508 mm), preferably 2.5 mil (0.0025 in., 0.0635 mm) to 7 mil (0.0070 in., 0.1778 mm), and more preferably 2.5 mil (0.0025 in., 0.0635 mm) to 3 mil (0.0030 in., 0.0762 mm). The median pore size is in the range of 2-10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) (25-800° C.) of less than 15×10?7/° C.

Abstract: An improved catalyzed soot filter is comprised of a porous ceramic having, on at least a portion of the porous ceramic, an amorphous catalytic phase comprised of an alkali containing oxide glass having therein Si, Al or combination thereof. The improved catalyzed soot filter may be formed by contacting a porous ceramic such as mullite, silcon carbide or cordierite with an alkali containing compound that is a silicate, aluminate or alumino-siliicate and heating to a temperature sufficient to form an amorphous catalytic phase fused to at least a portion of the porous ceramic.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a porous ceramic structure which can produce a high porosity ceramic structure as well as a low porosity ceramic structure without causing cracks at the time of firing. A method for manufacturing a porous ceramic structure comprising molding a raw material which contains a ceramic material as a main component and a pore-forming agent and then drying and firing the obtained molded article. When the molded article is fired, the temperature of a firing environment is raised substantially in synchronization with the temperature of the central portion of the molded article within a temperature range in which at least a portion of the molded article is shrunk by firing.

Abstract: A method for producing expanded honeycomb materials with cementitious reinforcement, in a composite structure having significant structural rigidity and strength, reduction in overall weight and ease of installation comprising the steps of: placing an expanded thermoformable honeycomb in a mold or suitable mold; partially or completely filling either or both sides of the honeycomb with cementitious material; vibrating the cementitious material within the structure to eliminate any air pockets or voids; leveling the cementitious material and allowing it to cure at room or elevated temperature; removing the composite structures from the mold.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous mullite composition of acicular mullite grains having improved properties is described, where the mullite is formed at some time in the presence of a fluorine containing gas. For example, it has been discovered that improved properties may result from heating the mullite to a high temperature in an atmosphere selected from the group consisting of water vapor, oxygen, an inert gas or mixtures thereof or forming the mullite composition from precursors having an AL/Si ratio of at most 2.95.

Abstract: A method of producing a cordierite honeycomb structure includes: preparing clay containing a cordierite raw material having an aspect ratio of 1.5 or more; forming the clay to prepare a formed product of a honeycomb shape; drying the formed product to prepare a dried honeycomb product; and firing the dried honeycomb product to prepare a cordierite honeycomb structure. The production method can obtain a cordierite honeycomb structure capable of suppressing formation of cracks during firing.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter 1 includes a cylindrical honeycomb structure 2 having a plurality of cells 4, and plugging members 7 disposed to alternately plug openings 5 of predetermined cells 4a on the side of one end face 6a and the openings 5 of the remaining cells 4b on the side of the other end face 6b of the structure 2 in checkered flag form, and further having second plugging members 8 disposed to plug openings 5 of cells 4 which are not plugged by the first plugging member 7 on either side of two end faces 6a and 6b of the structure 2 corresponding to 0.2 to 2.5% of the area of the cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the structure 2 in a center section occupying at least ? of the area from the center axis of the structure 2 to an outer circumferential surface 11.

Abstract: A process for making cordierite ceramic articles exhibiting improved properties involves steps of preparing a solution in which a sintering promoting agent is dissolved in a solvent prior to being combined with an alumina source, a silica source, a magnesia source, and an organic binder. The sintering promoting agent induces rapid growth of cordierite at lower temperatures and/or during shorter firing times, while preserving valued CTE and MOR properties. Improved MOR (MOR/E?mod*CTE) provide products exhibiting higher thermal shock resistance, and improved pore size distribution with cut off of smaller pore sizes providing products with lower back pressure at high filtration efficiency.

Abstract: In a method of producing a cordierite honeycomb structure body, talc, kaolin, and alumina as prepared raw materials are mixed. The mixed raw materials are extruded and molded in an extrusion molding step. The obtained green body is cut into plural green bodies of a specified length. In a following drying step, the green body is dried and then fired in order to make the cordierite honeycomb structure body. In particular, the talc for use in the mixing step has IgLoss (Ignition Loss) within a range of 5.7 to 6.5 wt % which is obtained by firing at 1,000° C. for two hours.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a thin-walled honeycomb ceramic substrate by extruding a plasticized ceramic batch material through a filter screen having wedge shaped filter wires to remove foreign particulate and agglomerated batch material. The filter wires are supported by a set of support wires attached substantially perpendicular to the filter wires. The support wires are may also be advantageously wedge shaped. The filter screen of the present invention may have a wear resistant layer at the surface of the screen, typically a boride or a nitride. The wear resistant coating may also be a nickel-based coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cordierite porous body of the present invention is a method of manufacturing the cordierite porous body using a cordierite forming material including an Al source, an Si source, and an Mg source and forming cordierite by firing, characterized in that an inorganic micro balloon containing SiO2 and Al2O3 is used as a part or all of the Al source and the Si source, so that a high-open-porosity cordierite porous body having an extremely low possibility of generating defects causing leakage of a fluid, such as cuts can be manufactured.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a green ceramic article containing organic compounds. The method involves first heating the green ceramic article to sequentially remove the organic compounds such that the organic compound with the lowest weight loss onset temperature is substantially removed prior to the next higher weight loss onset temperature organic compound. The organic compounds include but are not limited to at least an oil or oil-based compound having a flash point or an ignition temperature, higher than the weight loss onset temperature. For this system the temperature during heating is maintained below the flash point of the oil or oil-based compound until substantial removal thereof from the green ceramic structural body. After the organic compounds are substantially removed, the green ceramic article is further fired to a temperature and for a time to obtain a final fired body.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.

Abstract: This invention relates to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus having a particulate filter for collecting particulates in exhaust gas. This particulate filter (22) contains partition walls defining paths (50, 51) in which exhaust gas flows. This partition wall is formed of porous material. This particulate filter (22) is created by gathering tips of the partition walls and then baking with the adjacent partition walls being in contact with each other. The adjacent partition walls are bonded together at a predetermined bonding strength if the partition walls are baked such that they are in contact. According to this invention, the end portion of the particulate filter (22) has a higher strength than the predetermined bonding strength.

Abstract: A ceramic filter for trapping and combusting diesel exhaust particulates composed of an end-plugged cordierite honeycomb structure exhibiting a pore size distribution as determined by mercury porosimetry in which the quantity d50/(d50+d90) as related to pore size distribution is less than 0.70, a soot loaded permeability factor Sf, as defined by the equation [d50/(d50+d90)]/[% porosity/100], of less than 1.55, and, a coefficient of thermal expansion (25–800° C.) of no greater than 17×10?7/° C. The ceramic filter further exhibits a median pore diameter, d50, of at least 4 micrometers and up to 40 micrometers. A method of making the filter is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structure 1 produced by bonding a plurality of honeycomb segments 12 into one piece via a bonding layer 8, each segment 12 having a number of through-holes 3 divided from each other by porous partition walls 2 and extending in the axial direction of the honeycomb segment. The bonding layer 8 comprises at least one cement layer 10 and at least one undercoat layer 9 present between the honeycomb segment 12 and the cement layer 10. There is provided a process for producing a honeycomb structure 1, wherein bonding the honeycomb segments 12 comprises applying at least one layer of an undercoat on each honeycomb segment 12, applying at least one layer of a cement, and bonding the honeycomb segments into one piece. The honeycomb structure has a high bonding strength and hardly gives defects such as cracks in bonded portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honeycomb structure usable as a filter for trapping/collecting particulates included in an exhaust gas; and the structure can remove ashes deposited inside without requiring any special mechanism or apparatus or without being detached from the exhaust system. The structure includes: a plurality of through channels 9 extending to the axial direction of the honeycomb structure, porous partition walls 7 separating through channels one another, and plugging portions 11 plugging predetermined through channels 9a at one end and the rest of through channels 9b at other end opposite to the plugged end of the predetermined through channels, wherein a through-hole is formed in at least a part of the plugging portion, and its diameter is 0.2 mm or more, but not more than a value which is smaller between 1 mm and 75% of a diameter of an inscribed circle of the through channel.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate-based ceramic article having a composition comprising u (Al2O3—TiO2)+v (R)+w (3Al2O3—2SiO2)+x (Al2O3)+y (SiO2)+z (1.1SrO-1.5Al2O3-13.6SiO2—TiO2)+a (Fe2O3—TiO2)+b (MgO-2TiO2), where, R is SrO—Al2O3-2SiO2 or 11.2SrO-10.9Al2O3-24.1SiO2—TiO2, where u, v, w, x, y, z, a and b are weight fractions of each component such that (u+v+w+x+y+z+a+b=1), and 0.5<u?0.95, 0.01<v?0.5, 0.01<w?0.5, 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.1, 0?z?0.5, 0<a?0.3, and 0?b?0.3. A method of forming the ceramic article is provided. The ceramic article is useful in automotive emissions control systems, such as diesel exhaust filtration.

Abstract: Organic solvent-based photothermographic materials comprise one or more mercaptotriazoles represented by the following Structure I as toner(s): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclyl group, M is hydrogen or a cation, or R1 and R2 taken together can form a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring, or still again, R1 and R2 taken together can represent a divalent linking group, provided that R1 and R2 are not simultaneously hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl group, and further provided that when R2 is hydrogen, R1 is not a methyl or phenyl group having a solubilizing substituent.

Abstract: A ceramics structure body having chemical composition of 42 to 56 wt % of SiO2, 30 to 45 wt % of Al2O3 and 12 to 16 wt % of MgO, crystalline phase mainly composed of cordierite, a porosity of 55 to 65%, an average pore size of 15 to 30 &mgr;m; and the total area of pores exposed on surfaces of partition walls constituting the honeycomb ceramics structure body being 35% or more of the total area of partition wall surfaces. Fifteen to 25 wt % of graphite and 5 to 15 wt % of a synthetic resin are added as a pore forming agent to a cordierite-forming raw material; the resultant is kneaded and molded into a honeycomb shape; and the resultant is dried and fired to produce above-mentioned honeycomb ceramics structure body. According to this honeycomb ceramics structure body, a low pressure loss and a high collection efficiency can be attained.

Abstract: A particulate sealant for forming plugs in selected cells of honeycomb structures and consisting essentially, by weight, of about 70 to 90% ceramic blend, the ceramic blend being raw ceramic materials selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16% MgO, about 33 to 38% Al2O3, and about 49 to 54% SiO2, which will form cordierite (2MgO.2Al2O3.5SiO2) on firing, and about 10 to 30% binder system comprising a thermoplastic polymer capable of forming a gel or a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: There are provided a porous honeycomb structure body capable of satisfying a pressure loss and isostatic strength which are mutually contradictory properties simultaneously and a method for manufacturing the same. In a porous honeycomb structure body having partition walls which contain cordierite as a primary crystal phase and have a porosity of 40 to 75% and an average pore diameter of 10 to 50 &mgr;m, porosity and an average pore diameter in a center portion of the structure body are made larger than porosity and an average pore diameter in a peripheral portion of the structure body.

Abstract: A method of producing a cordierite ceramic honeycomb including the steps of: preparing raw materials becoming cordierite and forming agents; adding the forming agents into the raw materials for cordierite generation; mixing the forming agents and the raw materials to obtain a raw material batch; extruding the raw material batch to obtain a formed body; drying the formed body; and sintering the formed body after drying; so as to obtain a honeycomb structural body having a cordierite crystal phase as a main ingredient. In this method, at the sintering step, a temperature descending rate at least from a maximum temperature to 1300° C. is not larger than 100° C./hour.

Abstract: A sintered ceramic that exhibits an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) below about 5.0×10−7° C.−1, a total porosity between the range of 20% to about 30%. Furthermore, the sintered ceramic article exhibits a pore size distribution such that at least about 86% of pores are of a pore size of less than about 2 &mgr;m. Lastly, the ceramic article exhibits an interconnected pore structure with the pores exhibiting a generally elongated shape, i.e., the pores are predominately oriented with their long axis in the plane of the webs. This invention also relates to a method for producing a sintered cordierite ceramic article involving first compounding and plasticizing a cordierite-forming inorganic powder batch comprising a platy talc having median particle of size less than about 2 &mgr;m, and preferably a talc morphology index greater than about 0.75.

Abstract: A reclaimed ceramic starting material is produced from scrap generated in a method for producing a cordierite ceramic body. The scrap is an unnecessary part generated in a cutting step of cutting a dried ceramic molded article into a predetermined length or a defective dried ceramic molded article generated in a drying step of drying an extruded ceramic material. The scrap is crushed. From a powder obtaind by crushing, at least particles smaller than the predetermined size are removed to produce a reclaimed powder having a particle size within a predetermined size range. The reclaimed powder is used as a reclaimed ceramic starting material. Instead of crushing, the scrap may be fired at a temperature where a contained binder can burn away to obtain a reclaimed powder. The reclaimed ceramic starting material ensures no deterioration in the quality of a cordierite ceramic body produced therefrom.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure constituted by porous cell walls forming a cell group consisting of a plurality of cells, and a honeycomb outer wall surrounding and holding the outermost peripheral cells located at the circumference of the cells, a porosity is 5% to less than 30%, a basic wall thickness (Tc) of the cell walls is 0.030 mm≦Tc<0.076 mm, an average surface roughness (Ras) of the outer wall is 0.5 &mgr;m≦Ras≦10 &mgr;m, and/or an average height (RzDINs) on the surface of the outer wall from a local maximum point to a next local minimum point is 5 &mgr;m≦RzDINs≦50 &mgr;m; and a process for producing such a honeycomb structure using a raw material having a specific average diameter. The honeycomb structure satisfies requirements of improved purification ability, erosion resistance and improved canning property at a good balance.

Abstract: A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg2Al4Si5O18 and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) of greater than 4×10?7/° C. and less than 13×10?7/° C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)>24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9-0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm3 and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm?3 K?1 as measured at 500° C.

Abstract: Truss systems and components thereof for use in connection with supporting rock formations in underground mines, caverns, storage vaults, and so forth. Multiple types of truss brackets of unique design are incorporated in the various systems which also include tensioning tie rods and anchor bolts. The truss bracket components are designed so that a minimum or no force couples are exhibited when the tie rods employed are tightened down in their interconnection between associated truss brackets. Various truss systems accommodate mine entries, two-way, three-way, and four-way passageway configurements, and so forth. Additionally, provision is made for intercoupling trusses together.