Abstract: A photothermographic material comprising at least (a) a photosensitive silver halide, (b) a silver salt of an organic acid, (c) a reducing agent and (d) a hydrophobic and thermoplastic organic binder on a support, which contains a heat-fusible solvent that is solid at an ordinary temperature and can be fused at a heat development temperature. There is provided a photothermographic material showing high sensitivity, high developing speed and little performance fluctuation due to variation of heat development temperature.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure in which the structure has a reinforced part having been loaded with a cordierite powder at least on one end surface of the frontal openings of the substrate of a honeycomb structure made of cordierite. This honeycomb structure does not decrease merits of a small pressure loss and the like as a thin-walled honeycomb structure, and is also excellent in abrasive resistance of the end surfaces of the frontal openings.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure has an open frontal area of 50% to 85%, a porosity of 0.1% to 10%, and a proportion of the volume of pores of 1 &mgr;m or larger in diameter, in total pore volume, of 20% or more; a regenerative thermal oxidizer using the ceramic honeycomb structure. The ceramic honeycomb structure has a small porosity and, therefore, has a sufficient heat accumulation capacity and hardly causes floating by gas pressure; has controlled pore diameters and, therefore, hardly shows adsorption of VOC or the like, or rupture; and has controlled contraction and, therefore, has a large GSA.

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: A molded honeycomb material is obtained by subjecting a mixture of a raw material powder and a binder to extrusion molding. In the honeycomb material, no open pores are present, and the binder includes a thermoplastic material which is molten at the molding temperature. A process for producing the above molded honeycomb material includes heating a mixture of a raw material powder and a binder to a molding temperature to melt the binder, subjecting the mixture to extrusion molding, and cooling and solidifying the extrudate. The honeycomb material has a small partition wall thickness and can be mass-produced without impairing the product quality.

Abstract: Strong, high-surface-area honeycombs of alumina or other ceramic composition are provided by compounding and shaping a moldable ceramic powder extrusion batches including a cellulosic temporary binder and a high-surface-area boehmite precursor for a permanent binder, hydrating the shaped honeycomb to develop a boehmite binding phase, and calcining the hydrated body to develop the binder and provide a ceramic honeycomb of high strength and porosity.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb catalyst carrier wherein a porosity is 20% or less and an average surface roughness (Ra) of a partition wall of the carrier is 0.5 &mgr;m or more is obtained by forming ceramic raw materials to obtain a ceramic honeycomb formed body; drying the ceramic honeycomb formed body to obtain a ceramic honeycomb dried-up body; roughening a surface of the partition wall of the ceramic honeycomb dried-up body by exposing the ceramic honeycomb dried-up body in an airflow in which polishing powders are included; and sintering the ceramic honeycomb dried-up body after a surface treatment, or, by forming ceramic raw materials to obtain a ceramic honeycomb formed body; drying and sintering the ceramic honeycomb formed body to obtain a ceramic honeycomb sintered body; and roughening a surface of the partition wall of the ceramic honeycomb sintered body by exposing the ceramic honeycomb sintered body in an airflow or a water flow in which polishing powders are included.

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 process for producing a honeycomb structure, which comprises adding, to a particulate ceramic raw material, at least water and a dispersing agent, kneading the mixture to obtain a puddle, and extruding the puddle, wherein the dispersing agent is composed mainly of a fatty acid salt having a neutralization degree of 58% to less than 100%. The process allows production of a honeycomb structure of superior shape at a high productivity and can reduce the load acting on the extruder used.

Abstract: There is here disclosed 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.

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: There is a method of manufacturing a ceramic structure in which a ceramics raw material, a prefoamed resin foam, and a forming aid if needed are mixed together to prepare a mixture, then the mixture is formed into a formed body, and subsequently the formed body is fired to obtain a porous ceramic structure. According to the manufacturing method, a ceramic structure having a high porosity can be obtained, without using a large amount of flammable powder.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structural body, and method for preparing the same, which can satisfactorily support a catalyst and can demonstrate superior mechanical strength, even if far thinner walls are used. The structural body comprises lattice walls formed by a large number of cells which are channels for a fluid and a peripheral wall which covers at least the circumference of the lattice walls. The outer peripheral portion of the lattice walls located in the vicinity of the peripheral wall (area B) contains a densified portion of smaller porosity than that of an inner peripheral portion, of the lattice walls, which is located inside the outer peripheral portion (area A).

Abstract: The raw materials for forming a cordierite composition are dissolved into water with a dispersing agent to prepare a slurry, and the thus prepared slurry is passed through the sieve having a mesh of 45 &mgr;m or less. After that, the slurry after sieving is dried by means of the spray drying to obtain dry powders, and the batch for forming is obtained by using the dry powders. Or, the batch for forming is obtained by the filter pressing. That is to say, the batch for forming is obtained by using the raw material powders which are passed through the sieve in a wet state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent agglutination of the raw material particles and to remove the coarse raw material particles effectively. As a result, if the extrusion molding is performed by using the thus obtained batch for forming, it is possible to form the ceramic honeycomb structural body having an extremely thin wall thickness with no defects.

Abstract: There is provided a cordierite honeycomb structural body that allows the thickness of the cell walls to be reduced and heat capacity to be decreased by improving the fluidity of the molding material when passing through a mold for extrusion molding while maintaining the shape retention of the molding material. A water-soluble cellulose ether is used as a binder that is added to a cordierite-converted starting material. This water-soluble cellulose ether contains methoxyl groups substituted for the cellulose hydroxyl groups within the range of a substitution rate of 27.5 to 31.5%, does not contain hydroxypropoxyl groups and hydroxyethoxyl groups in an amount greater than the amount of unavoidable impurities (0.1 wt %), and has a viscosity in a 2 wt % aqueous solution at 20° C. of less than 8000 centipoise.

Abstract: A monolithic honeycomb-type structure useful in particular as a particle filter for exhaust gases from diesel engines has a number of passages that empty into the end faces of said monolith, but are alternately open and sealed. The monolith consists of a porous refractory material that comprises: 70 to 97% by mass of &agr; and/or &bgr; crystallographic-type silicon carbide that has at least one particle size and preferably at least two particle sizes, and 3 to 30% by mass of at least one bonding ceramic phase in the form of a micronic powder or particles that are obtained by atomization, comprising at least one simple oxide, for example, B2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, K2O, Li2O, Na2O, CaO, BaO, TiO, ZrO2 and Fe2O3 and/or at least one mixed oxide, for example, the alkaline aluminosilicates (of Li, Na, or K) or alkaline-earth aluminosilicates (of Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba), clays, bentonite, feldspars or other natural silico-aluminous materials.

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 method and an apparatus for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb molding having many cells formed by arranging cell walls in a honeycomb pattern. Deformation, wrinkles, cracks, etc., of the cell walls and the like are prevented from occurring. The method for manufacturing the ceramic honeycomb molding having many cells formed by arranging cells walls in a honeycomb pattern comprises an extruding process in which clayey honeycomb moldings 1 are extruded, a drying process in which the honeycomb moldings 1 are dried, and a storage process, between the extruding process and the drying process, in which the honeycomb moldings 1 are maintained in a high humidity atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting a predetermined radial dimension comprising producing a green ceramic honeycomb body that exhibits a radial dimension at least 9% greater than the predetermined radial dimension and a cell density of at least 500 cpsi. The method further involves shrinking the green body during firing to form a sintered honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting the final predetermined radial dimension. This invention also relates to a method of producing a ceramic body comprising the following steps: (a) compounding and plasticizing a ceramic raw material mixture and forming the plasticizable raw material mixture into a green ceramic body by extrusion through an extrusion die; (b) drying the green body and thereafter firing the green body at a time and at a temperature sufficient to sinter the ceramic body resulting in a radial shrinkage of the green ceramic body in the radial dimension due to the firing of at least 9%.

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: A cordierite material batch is incorporated with 2 to 6 wt. % of binder reversibly gelling under heat. The binder is composed of a binder (A) and a binder (B), where 2% aqueous solution of the binder (A) has a viscosity of 5000 cP or less at 20° C., 2% aqueous solution of the binder (B) has a viscosity of 20000 cP or more at 20° C., and binder (A)/binder (B) (wt. ratio) is 10/90 to 50/50. According to the method, there can be provided a cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb structure suitable for mass production and giving the structure of thin wall by improving formability of the cordierite body (in particular, lubricity) at the time of extrusion.

Abstract: The raw materials for forming a cordierite composition are dissolved into water with a dispersing agent to prepare a slurry, and the thus prepared slurry is passed through the sieve having a mesh of 45 &mgr;m or less. After that, the slurry after sieving is dried by means of the spray drying to obtain dry powders, and the batch for forming is obtained by using the dry powders. Or, the batch for forming is obtained by the filter pressing. That is to say, the batch for forming is obtained by using the raw material powders which are passed through the sieve in a wet state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent agglutination of the raw material particles and to remove the coarse raw material particles effectively. As a result, if the extrusion molding is performed by using the thus obtained batch for forming, it is possible to form the ceramic honeycomb structural body having an extremely thin wall thickness with no defects.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb wall-flow filter is prepared by plugging channels in a ceramic honeycomb by a method comprising the following. First, a mixture comprised of a dispersing liquid and ceramic powder is formed. Next, the mixture is inserted on one end of the channel in an unplugged ceramic honeycomb such that the mixture flows to the other end where the mixture collects and forms a plugged ceramic honeycomb. Then, the plugged ceramic honeycomb is heated to a temperature sufficient to sinter the plugged ceramic honeycomb to form a porous sintered plugged ceramic honeycomb.

Abstract: A method of producing a ceramic body having a construction such that cells are plugged alternately at both end faces of a ceramic honeycomb structural body by filling a plugging slurry into predetermined cells at both end faces of a ceramic honeycomb formed body, having the steps of: filling a plugging material for mask into the cells to be opened at one end face of the ceramic honeycomb formed body; immersing the end face, to which the plugging material for mask is filled, into a plugging slurry; and drying and sintering the ceramic honeycomb formed body while the plugging material for mask is removed during a drying step or a sintering step.

Abstract: Fine circumferential skin cracking in extruded thin-walled cordierite honeycombs having channel wall thicknesses not exceeding about 0.004 inches (100 &mgr;m) but skin layers of substantially higher thickness is prevented by extruding the honeycombs under conditions that enhance cordierite crystal alignment in the skin; thin-walled honeycomb products having skins free of fine cracks that are well-matched in thermal expansion to the honeycomb cores are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting a predetermined radial dimension comprising producing a green ceramic honeycomb body that exhibits a radial dimension at least 9% greater than the predetermined radial dimension and a cell density of at least 500 cpsi. The method further involves shrinking the green body during firing to form a sintered honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting the final predetermined radial dimension.

Abstract: A method of sealing the cells of a ceramic honeycomb body (5) and a cell sealing material (1) are disclosed which can suppress the deformation and dissolution of the portions of the ceramic honeycomb body dipped in the cell sealing material. An end surface (50) of the ceramic honeycomb body (5), with the portions of the end surface (50) not to be sealed covered with a masking material, is dipped in the cell sealing material (1) thereby to seal the cells in a predetermined part of the end surface. The cell sealing material (1) is composed of ceramic particles and an assistant for fluidizing the ceramic particles. The assistant has the property of not substantially redissolving a binder contained in the ceramic honeycomb body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process of a hexagonal honeycomb structure having low deformation of hexagonal cells. This process comprises an extrusion step for obtaining moldings (7) in which partitions (71) are provided in the form of a hexagonal matrix by extrusion molding of a mixed raw material using a horizontal extruder having an extrusion die provided with slits in the form of a hexagonal matrix and in which the direction of extruding is substantially the horizontal direction, a drying step for drying moldings (7), and a baking step for baking moldings (7). The extrusion step is performed such that c axis (700) parallel to two parallel sides (702) and (705) of the six sides (701) through (706) of each hexagon formed by partitions (71) of extruded moldings (7) is substantially vertical relative to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A setter for burning, which has no influence on the burning behavior of ceramic electronic parts to be situated thereon, is provided. A honeycomb structure is formed in which a plurality of ventilation cells that is formed by each partition wall having a thickness of 0.05 to 1.0 mm in a thick direction of the setter for burning from a side of a front surface of an electronic part placement surface of the setter for burning and that is each partitioned in a pitch of 0.5 to 5.0 mm passes through. A supporting member is provided in a side of a rear surface of the electronic part placement surface. Therefore, the setter for burning can be situated in a floating state.

Abstract: A binder system for use in the formation of ceramic or other powder-formed greenware comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, a surfactant, and a component that is non-solvent with respect to the binder and solvent. The non-solvent component exhibits a lower viscosity than the solvent when containing the binder and comprises a low molecular weight oil having a 90% recovered distillation temperature range of between about 220 to 400° C. Also disclosed is a process of forming and shaping plasticized powder mixtures and a process for forming ceramic articles utilizing the binder system.

Abstract: A binder system for use in the formation of ceramic or other powder-formed greenware comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, a surfactant, and a component that is non-solvent with respect to the binder and solvent. The non-solvent component exhibits a lower viscosity than the solvent when containing the binder and comprises at least a portion of an organic liquid having a 90% recovered distillation temperature of no greater than about 225° C. and more preferably less than 220° C. Also disclosed is a process of forming and shaping plasticized powder mixtures and a process for forming ceramic articles utilizing the binder system.

Abstract: Disclosed is sintered ceramic article that exhibits a primary crystalline phase of cordierite and analytical oxide composition, in weight percent, of 49-53% SiO2, 33-38% Al2O3, 12-16% MgO and exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion no greater than about 4.0×10−7/° C. over the temperature range of about 25° C. to about 800° C. and a transverse-I ratio of not less than about 0.92. Also disclosed is a method for producing a sintered cordierite ceramic article involving preparing a plasticizable raw material, comprising a magnesium source, a SiO2-forming source and an additional component of either: (a) a clay-free, Al2O3-forming source having a surface area of greater than about 5 m2/g; or, (b) a clay and Al2O3-forming source combination wherein the clay comprises no greater than about 30%, by weight, of the total inorganic mixture, and the Al2O3-forming source exhibits a surface area of greater than about 40 m2/g.

Abstract: A method of firing a green cordierite-ceramic honeycomb structural body containing a carbonaceous material, for example, an organic binder, comprising a two phase process. The first phase comprises firing the green honeycomb structural body in a firing atmosphere to a temperature and for a time sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve release of the carbonaceous material while introducing into the firing atmosphere a fluorine-free low-oxygen gas comprising less than about 20% O2, by volume. Once the carbonaceous material is sufficiently released, the second phase involves conventionally firing the green body for a time and a temperature sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve the conversion of the green ceramic honeycomb structural body into a fired honeycomb body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of firing a green ceramic honeycomb structural body containing an organic or carbonaceous material which is characterized by removing at least a portion of the carbonaceous material released prior to reacting within the firing atmosphere during the initial firing of the green honeycomb structural body. The invention also relates to a tunnel kiln, which includes a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region, having a plurality of removal zones, located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region. The tunnel kiln further includes an exhaust removal system which operatively communicates, via offtake openings located in each removal zone, with the release region for removing released carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process of a hexagonal honeycomb structure having low deformation of hexagonal cells. This process comprises an extrusion step for obtaining moldings (7) in which partitions (71) are provided in the form of a hexagonal matrix by extrusion molding of a mixed raw material using a horizontal extruder having an extrusion die provided with slits in the form of a hexagonal matrix and in which the direction of extruding is substantially the horizontal direction, a drying step for drying moldings (7), and a baking step for baking moldings (7). The extrusion step is performed such that c axis (700) parallel to two parallel sides (702) and (705) of the six sides (701) through (706) of each hexagon formed by partitions (71) of extruded moldings (7) is substantially vertical relative to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A binder system for use in the formation of ceramic or other powder-formed greenware comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, a surfactant, and a component that is non-solvent with respect to the binder and solvent. The non-solvent component exhibits a lower viscosity than the solvent when containing the binder and comprises at least a portion of a branched chain paraffin exhibiting a 90% recovered distillation temperature ranging between 205° C. to about 225° C. and a carbon chain length comprised predominantly of carbon chain distributions ranging from 12 to 14. Also disclosed is a process of forming and shaping plasticized powder mixtures and a process for forming ceramic articles utilizing the binder system.

Abstract: A crystalline glass-ceramic article composed of a cordierite phase of cordierite crystals or aggregates of near-parallel crystallites, having a formula of either Mg2Al4Si5O18 or AxByMg2Al4+x+2ySi5−x−2yO18. With the first formula, the average size of the cordierite crystals or aggregates is less than 70 micrometers, and the mean coefficient of thermal expansion from 22° C. to 800° C. (CTE) is less than 9×10−7/° C. With the second formula, A is either sodium or potassium, B is either strontium or barium, the sum of x and y is not less than 0.01, and when either x or y equal zero, the CTE is not more than 14×10−7/° C. The article is especially suitable as a filter or catalyst substrate.

Abstract: A plasticizable raw material mixture for use in preparing a substrate having cordierite as its primary phase with the mixture comprised of a chemical composition, percent by weight, of 11 to 17% MgO, 33 to 41% Al2O3 and, 46 to 53% SiO2. The raw material mixture specifically comprises the following: (1) one source of Al2O3 and SiO2 comprising a clay mixture having less than about 22%, by weight based on the total raw materials in the plasticizable mixture, of calcined clay; (2) an alumina yielding precursor comprising alumina having an average particle diameter of about 1 &mgr;m or less; and, (3) at least one source of magnesia having an average particle diameter of between about 3 to 15 microns.

Abstract: A process for producing a cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb structure, includes kneading raw materials for cordierite with a forming aid to obtain a raw material batch, subjecting the raw material batch to obtain a honeycomb structure, and subjecting the honeycomb structure to drying and firing in this order to obtain a ceramic honeycomb structure whose crystal phase is composed mainly of cordierite. The raw material batch contains 65% by weight or more of raw materials for cordierite, comprising talc, kaolin and aluminum hydroxide and having crystal water. The kaolin has an average particle diameter of 5 &mgr;or more and a BET specific surface area of 10 m2/g or less and is contained in the raw material batch in an amount of 10% or more by weight.

Abstract: A method of firing a green cordierite-ceramic honeycomb structural body containing a carbonaceous material, for example, an organic binder, including a two phase process. The first phase includes firing the green honeycomb structural body to a temperature and for a time sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve release of the carbonaceous material while introducing into the furnace a CO2-enriched atmosphere. Once the carbonaceous material is sufficiently removed, the second phase involves further conventionally firing for a time and a temperature sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve the conversion of the green ceramic honeycomb structural body into a fired honeycomb body.

Abstract: A method of forming an article involves forming a mixture of components powder materials, organic binder, solvent for the binder, non-solvent with respect to at least the binder, the solvent, and the powder materials, wherein the non-solvent is lower in viscosity than the binder combined with the solvent, mixing and plasticizing, and shaping to form a green structure. The green structure is dried and fired to impart strength and form the product article. The firing is done by heating to a first temperature of less than 200° C. at a heating rate of no greater than 1° C. per minute, heating from the first temperature to a second temperature of 200° C. to 300° C. at a heating rate of 2° C. per minute to 20° C. per minute, heating from the second temperature to a third temperature of above 300° C. to about 500° C. at a heating rate of no greater than 1° C. per minute, and heating from the third temperature to a fourth temperature of greater than about 500° C.

Abstract: There is provided a process for obtaining a cordierite honeycomb structural body with thin cell walls and no molding defects such as cell breakage or the like. Cell breakage is prevented by limiting the maximum particle size of the cordierite starting material powder to no greater than 85% of the slit width of the extrusion molding die so that the starting material particles will not clog inside the slits or the introduction port of the slits. As one cordierite starting material, talc with a mean particle size of 5 &mgr;m or greater is used to give a honeycomb structural body with a void volume of greater than 30%, for production of a honeycomb structural body, with good moldability, having a small thickness and a low heat capacity. It is preferred to add to the starting material at least a lubricant/humectant, a binder and/or a mixture of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol derivative and a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ozone adsorbent which has high ozone-adsorbing power even in a moisture-containing system and exhibits a high degree of ozone retention (and a low degree of ozone decomposition), as well as a molded product made by molding this ozone adsorbent into a form adapted to practical use, and a method of making the same. The present invention provides an ozone adsorbent comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of high-silica pentasilzeolite having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of not less than 70, dealuminized faujasite having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of not less than 20, and mesoporous silicate having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of not less than 20, as well as an ozone-adsorbing molded product and a method of making the same.

Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structural body with a lower-than-conventional heat capacity and excellent durability. A honeycomb structural body (1) having partition walls composed mainly of cordierite arranged in a honeycomb fashion is provided with fortified section (2) with a higher strength than the general section (19) at one end or both ends (11) in the direction of length of the partition walls (10). The fortified section (2) is given improved strength by having increased density with respect to the general section.

Abstract: A fired body and method for producing the body that involves compounding the components of powder materials, binder, aqueous solvent for the binder, and non-solvent with respect to at least the solvent, binder, and powder materials. The non-solvent is made up of a high molecular weight organic portion having a molecular weight of greater than 200, and a low molecular weight organic portion having a molecular weight of up to 200. The components are mixed and plasticized to form a plasticized mixture which is then shaped to form a green body. The green body is then dried and fired.

Abstract: A cordierite body is produced by providing cordierite-forming raw materials. The raw materials are intimately blended with effective amount of vehicle and forming aids to impart plastic formability and green strength to the raw materials and form a plastic mixture. A green body is formed which is dried and heated from room temperature up to a maximum temperature of about 1360° C. to 1435° C. at an average heating rate of at least about 315° C. per hour and held at maximum temperature for about 0.05 to 4.4 hours. The total heating time from room temperature to the end of the hold at the maximum temperature is less than about 4.5 hours. The resulting body is predominately cordierite, having a mean coefficient of thermal expansion from about 25° C. to 800° C. of less than about 15×10−7° C.−1 in at least one direction.

Abstract: An alumina-based porous support with uniform physical properties is obtained in a rapid sintering process. An alumina raw material including a raw alumina powder and an inorganic binder is molded into an article, and the article is then sintered for 5 to 8 hours at 1520 to 1560.degree. C. using a roller hearth kiln.

Abstract: A production method of a cordierite ceramic honeycomb structure is provided. 0.1 to 2% by weight of a nonionic polyether lubricant, obtained by adding ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to polyhydric alcohol with an ethylene oxide:propylene oxide ratio of 10:90 to 100:0 by weight, is added to the cordierite material batch for extruding. The honeycomb structure has a thin partition wall, and is suitable for the mass production by improving the formability (in particular, the lubricity and the shape stability) in extruding.

Abstract: A method for forming and shaping powder mixtures involves compounding, homogenizing, and plasticizing components to form a mixture. The components are powder materials, binder, solvent for the binder, surfactant, and non-solvent with respect to at least the binder, the solvent, and the powder materials. The non-solvent is lower in viscosity than the binder combined with the solvent. The components are chosen to result in improved wet green strength in the subsequently formed green body. The compounding is done by the steps of dry-mixing the powder material, surfactant and binder to form a uniform blend, adding the solvent to the resulting dry blend, and thereafter adding the non-solvent to the blend. The mixture is shaped by passing it through a low to moderate shear extruder, and then through a die to form a green body. The compounding and shaping steps are carried out at a temperature of no greater than ambient temperature. The method is especially suitable for RAM extrusion.

Abstract: A method of firing a green cordierite-ceramic honeycomb structural body containing a carbonaceous material, for example, an organic binder, comprising a two phase process. The first phase comprises firing the green honeycomb structural body in a firing atmosphere to a temperature and for a time sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve release of the carbonaceous material while introducing into the firing atmosphere a fluorine-free low-oxygen gas comprising less than about 20% O.sub.2, by volume. Once the carbonaceous material is sufficiently released, the second phase involves conventionally firing the green body for a time and a temperature sufficient to initiate and sufficiently achieve the conversion of the green ceramic honeycomb structural body into a fired honeycomb body.