Abstract: A health support device having a lamination of a semiconductor film on a surface of a partially-reduced sintered material of titanium oxide. The semiconductor film is preferably a p-type semiconductor film of silicon or germanium. The partially-reduced sintered material is preferably represented by TiO2−x, where 0<×<0.5. The thickness of the semiconductor film is preferably from 1 nm to 500 nm. In production, a mixture of a titanium oxide powder and a binder is press-molded, and the molded material is sintered at a temperature of from 500° C. to 1100° C. in a vacuum, inert or reducing atmosphere. A p-type semiconductor film is formed on a surface of the resulting partially-reduced sintered material of titanium oxide.

Abstract: A high density ceramic thick film is fabricated by providing vehicle comprising an organic binder and solvent, dispersing ceramic powders into the vehicle to be paste, forming the paste to thick film by screen printing, removing the organic binder from the film, applying sol or sol-like solution to the surface of the film so that the sol or sol-like solution can infiltrate into the film, removing remaining sol or sol-like solution from the surface of the film, drying and preheating the film, and sintering the film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head. On one and the other surfaces of an ink supply plate, formed with a plurality of discrete ink supply ports and a corresponding number of discrete nozzle ports, a green sheet for a pressure chamber plate and a green sheet for an ink pool plate are laminated, respectively. The resulting lamination is then sintered. A vibration plate is subsequently adhered to the pressure chamber plate formed by the sintering step and a nozzle plate is adhered to the sintered pool plate.

Abstract: A green sheet stack having a cavity is produced, and a shrinkage-reducing sheet containing inorganic powder material, which is not fired in a step of firing the green sheet stack, is prepared. The shrinkage-reducing sheet is placed so as to close an aperture of the cavity and to cover an end face in the sheet-stacking direction of the green sheet stack. The green sheet stack is pressed via an elastic member in the sheet-stacking direction so that the shrinkage-reducing sheet is cut and a shrinkage-reducing sheet piece formed of a cut portion of the shrinkage-reducing sheet is placed on a bottom surface of the cavity. The green sheet stack is fired in such a state in which the shrinkage-reducing sheet piece is placed on the bottom surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A speaker diaphragm is formed from a material combining a fiber-type material and a ceramic-type-coating agent including metal alkoxide, metal hydroxide, and a colloidal or fine-particulate inorganic substance. The combining process for the ceramic-type-coating agent is performed before or after the fiber-type material is formed into a shape of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant component of semiconductor processing equipment such as a plasma chamber comprises a cerium oxide containing ceramic material as an outermost surface of the component. The cerium oxide containing ceramic material comprises one or more cerium oxides as the single largest constituent thereof. The component can be made entirely of the cerium oxide containing ceramic material or, alternatively, the cerium oxide containing ceramic can be provided as a layer on a substrate such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a ceramic material, stainless steel, or a refractory metal. The cerium oxide containing ceramic layer can be provided as a coating by a technique such as plasma spraying. One or more intermediate layers may be provided between the component and the cerium oxide containing ceramic coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a diamond composite from diamond particles, comprising the steps of forming a work piece, heating the work piece and controlling the heating temperature and heating time so that a certain desired amount of graphite is created by graphitization of diamond particles, thereby creating an intermediate body, and infiltrating silicon or silicon alloy into the intermediate body. The invention also relates to a diamond composite produced by this method.

Abstract: A ceramic arc tube assembly and a method for making a ceramic arc tube are described which simplify the manufacture of ceramic arc tubes by reducing the number of handling and heat treatments required to assemble arc tubes prior to the final sintering operation. In particular, the invention uses transient assembly buttons during intermediate assembly steps which are removed prior to the final sintering operation.

Abstract: A process for controlling and thus predicting the microstructural bias of multi-phase composites to obtain preferential positioning of the component compounds in their morphology and position in the resulting microstructure to cause the grains of a first phase either to locate at the grain boundaries of a second phase, or to be homogeneously distributed in the second phase using both conventional manually mixing and advanced self-propagating high-temperature processing technologies. A process whereby a lower cost composite material performs comparably to a more expensive monolithic nature of higher performance material by causing the higher performance first phase grains to preferentially locate at the grain boundaries of the second phase during densification/fusing. A process to optimize the performance properties by preferentially biasing the microstructure to cause the phase which intrinsically has the preferred properties to influence and enhance the desired properties of the bulk composite material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon/silicon-carbide composite by a ‘One-shot’ process including carbonization, heat processing, infiltration, and forming an anti-oxidation layer on surface is provided through the steps of: 1) hardening a stacked carbon/phenolic preform; 2) carbonization and heat processing the preform until the temperature reaches at 2300° C.; 3) infiltrating and sintering the liquid metal silicon within the temperature of 1400˜1800° C.; and 4) inducting a compound including SiO2to gas phase and heat processing it while forming an anti-oxidation layer on the surface within temperature range of 2000° C.˜2700° C. (desirably, in the range of higher than 2300° C., and more desirably, at the temperature near 2500° C.). Herein, the carbonization, heat processing, and ultra-high heat processing might be performed at the same time in the step 2) and the step 4) might not be performed.

Abstract: A ceramic member is constituted with a zirconia-containing ceramic material containing 20% by volume or more of a zirconia series ceramic phase mainly composed of a zirconium oxide. The zirconia-containing ceramic material satisfies: KC/(dA)≧5 by using an exponential value A set within a range from −0.41 to −0.37 width, d being an average grain size (unit: &mgr;m) and KC being a fracture toughness value (unit: MPa·m½). An edge portion appearing in the form of a ridge is formed at an intersection between two edge forming surfaces 4a and 5 to the outer surface of the member, and the edge portion is formed as a sharp edge portion E having a width w of 0.15 mm or less for the top end of the edge appearing on a cross section taken along an arbitrary plane in perpendicular to the direction of the ridge.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process comprises the steps of (1) operating a material deposition sub-system for dispensing droplets of solidifiable liquid compositions on demand onto selected spots of an object work surface, for using a focused heat source to maintain a heat-affected zone on the work surface, and for creating a weld pool of molten materials on this work surface by injecting selected powder particles into this heat-affected zone and (2) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the work surface relative to each other in an X-Y plane defined by first and second directions and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the materials are deposited to form a first layer of the object. The material in the weld pool solidifies after the heat-affected zone moves away to build portions of a layer. These steps are repeated to deposit multiple layers for forming a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A method for producing composite ceramic material is provided wherein a core ceramic structure is produced and simultaneously enveloped with a sleeve of similar material.

Abstract: A dry pressing and slip casting process is provided for the manufacture of glass-ceramic components of the type used in sensors. Both process on starts with a powder composition of SiO2 (42-59 wt. %), Al2O3 (17-35 wt. %), MgO (2-25 wt. %) and also BaO (0-20 wt. %), TiO2 (0-12 wt. %), ZnO (0-10 wt. %), CaO (0-10 wt. %), B2O3 (0-5 wt %), P2O5 (0-5 wt. %), ZrO2 (0-5 wt. %), alkali oxides such as K2O, Na2O (0-3 wt. %) and other small amounts (0-1 wt. %) of additives such as Fe2O3, As2O3. Fe2O3, V2O5, As2O3. Some of the ingredients (e.g. Mg, Ba, Ca) can also be present in the form of fluoride, e.g., MgF2, BaF2, CaF2, to up to 10 wt. %. Additional ceramic additives up to 30 wt. %, which are as second phase (e.g., Al2O3, Y2O3 doped ZrO2, SiO2, mullite, zircon, carbides, nitrides, and a combination of the above), are not part of the glass composition, but are introduced to enhance both the mechanical strength and toughness and to further modify the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A gelcasting method of making an internally graded article alternatively includes the steps of: preparing a slurry including a least two different phases suspended in a gelcasting solution, the phases characterized by having different settling characteristics; casting the slurry into a mold having a selected shape; allowing the slurry to stand for a sufficient period of time to permit desired gravitational fractionation in order to achieve a vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; gelling the slurry to form a solid gel while preserving the vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; drying the gel to form a dried green body; and sintering the dry green body to form a solid object, at least one property thereof varying along the vertical direction because of the compositional gradient in the molded slurry.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hybrid treatment into which CVI treatment and PIP treatment are combined. A dense matrix is formed around a ceramic fiber by the CVI treatment, and a gap in the matrix is infiltrated/filled well with the matrix by the PIP treatment, so that hermetic properties are enhanced. Moreover, when a volume ratio of the matrix by the CVI treatment in the total matrix is set to about 5% or more, about 80% or less, fine cracks are present in the matrix by the PIP treatment, so that a binding force of the ceramic fiber is weakened, and Young's modulus can be reduced. As a result, a thermal stress is alleviated and a resistance to thermal shock is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a composite article comprising the steps of forming a plurality of green ceramic elements, wherein the green ceramic elements are arranged side by side, and the green ceramic elements are spaced from each other by gaps; filling the gaps with a second material; and sintering the green ceramic elements with the second material to form the composite article. The second material, after being sintered, acts as a reflector layer to prevent substantially all light in one of the sintered ceramic elements from reaching an adjacent sintered ceramic element. The step of filling the gaps may be carried out by forming a slurry containing the second material in powder form and immersing the green ceramic elements in the slurry. The process of cosintering the green ceramic elements with the reflector composition provides improved dimensional control during sintering and reduces processing costs.

Abstract: A method for making small punches by employing multi-layer ceramic (MLC) technology includes the steps of preparing a sublaminate matrix of a high or low sintering temperature material, drilling holes in the sublaminate using a mask as a guide, filling the holes with punch material paste by a solupor process, laminating the sublaminate to a base plate or as a freestanding substrate, firing a laminate at an appropriate sintering temperature and removing the matrix material by a chemical or mechanical method. In accordance with the present invention, a large number of small punches are made in parallel to precise dimensions of two to ten mils in diameter and approximately 100 mils in length. This method allows that a punch plate array can also be used to simultaneously punch an array of vias in a greensheet and eliminates the additional step of loading individual punches into a punch plate, offering cost and time savings.

Abstract: Superconductor containing filaments having embedments of superconducting material surrounded by a rayon matrix are formed by preparing a liquid suspension which contains at least 10 weight percent superconducting material; forming a multicomponent filament having a core of the suspension and a viscose sheath which contains cellulose xanthate; and thereafter, regenerating cellulose from the cellulose xanthate to form a rayon matrix.

Abstract: A pottery article decorated with a selected rock, such as a lava rock, is prepared by shaping a pottery article, such as a vase, from pottery clay, then partially drying the vase and forming a hole in the side of the vase, large enough to force the rock into so that it will be held in place by the surrounding pottery clay. The edges of the hole are cut to a sharp angle. A multiplicity of smaller holes are formed in the pottery clay in the region around the rock to inhibit the cracking of the pottery from cracking due to shrinkage during subsequent drying and firing. The pottery is then dried at room temperatures for about two weeks. Optionally, the holes may be filled with a moist clay/glaze mixture and dried again. The article is then fired at a cone 08 for about twelve hours and cooled, then glazed by dipping in a glaze bath and firing again at a cone 05 for about six hours.

Abstract: A method is proposed for manufacturing a pin heater that has a substantially internal insulating layer and an external conductive layer, the two layers composed of a ceramic composite structure, wherein before the pin heater is sintered, its shaping is accomplished by way of the ceramic injection molding technique or by cold combined axial/isostatic pressing.

Abstract: A gelcasting method of making an internally graded article alternatively includes the steps of: preparing a slurry including a least two different phases suspended in a gelcasting solution, the phases characterized by having different settling characteristics; casting the slurry into a mold having a selected shape; allowing the slurry to stand for a sufficient period of time to permit desired gravitational fractionation in order to achieve a vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; gelling the slurry to form a solid gel while preserving the vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; drying the gel to form a dried green body; and sintering the dry green body to form a solid object, at least one property thereof varying along the vertical direction because of the compositional gradient in the molded slurry.

Abstract: Composition for preparing water-repellent coatings on optical substrates, comprising a porous, electrically conductive molding and an organosilicon compound, obtainable by mixing an electrically conductive or semiconductive support material with a binder and subjecting the mixture to compression molding to form a compression molding, sintering the compression molding at preferably 1100 to 1500° C. in air to form a porous molding, impregnating the molding with the organosilicon compound, and ageing the impregnated molding by storage in air for at least 3 days.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating discolored natural diamond, especially Type IIa diamond and Type IaA/B diamond with nitrogen as predominantly B centers, for improving its color. The method includes placing a discolored natural diamond in a pressure transmitting medium which is consolidated into a pill. Next, the pill is placed into a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) press at elevated pressure and elevated temperature within the graphite stable range of the carbon phase diagram for a time sufficient to improve the color of said diamond. Finally, the diamond is recovered from said press. Colorless diamond can be made by this method.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst body includes providing titanium dioxide, tungsten trioxide, vanadium pentoxide, aluminum oxide, and/or silicon oxide for the catalyst body. A kneadable and/or shapable compound is processed to form a shaped body by extrusion or by coating of a support body. The shaped body is dried and is calcined to form an active compound. The calcined shaped body is artificially aged by a final heat treatment at a temperature higher than the calcination temperature to produce a catalyst body having a high resistance to deactivation at high temperatures. The starting materials include from 65 to 95% by weight of titanium dioxide, 2 to 30% by weight of tungsten trioxide, 0 to 2% by weight of vanadium pentoxide, preferably, less than 1.5%, 0.1 to 10% by weight of aluminum oxide, and 0.1 to 10% by weight of silicon dioxide. The final heat treatment is done is at 660 to 700° C., drying is at 20 to 100° C. prior to calcination, and calcination is at 400° C. to less than 700° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic device includes forming first and second glass-ceramic green sheets from a ceramic material containing glass by laminating the material to form a green sheet laminate having a cavity with an open surface at one surface thereof. Then, shrinkage-suppressing layers which are formed with shrinkage-suppressing inorganic material having a higher sintering temperature than the ceramic material are applied over the surfaces of the green sheet laminate. Thus, a composite laminate is obtained. Then, the composite laminate is pressed in the laminating direction such that the bottom portion of the cavity receives the same amount of pressure as the surrounding region of the cavity via an opening. Then, the composite laminate is fired, and the shrinkage-suppressing layers are removed.

Abstract: A method of making a PcBN cutting tool insert is provided. The composite body may be a PcBN cutting tool insert. The method includes mixing raw material powders consisting of cBN and one or more of hBN, TiC, TiN, Ti(C,N), WC, W, C, Co, Co2Al9, Al AlN, Al2O3 with a liquid (e.g., ethanol) and an agent (e.g., polyethylene glycol, PEG) to form a homogeneous slurry with the desired composition; forming spherical powder agglomerates, typically 100 &mgr;m in diameter, preferably by spray drying; filling the PcBN powder into recesses, pockets, grooves, etc., of a cemented carbide or cermet substrate; presintering the compacted body to remove the agent; and causing the PcBN powder to be sintered together and simultaneously bonded to the substrate inside a container under HP/HT-conditions to form a composite body.

Abstract: A ceramic pin heating element having exterior heating conductors and integrated electrical connection surfaces, and method for making same. A first body is injection molded from a first injection-moldable ceramic composite compound having a first electrical resistance, and a second body is injection-molded from a second injection-moldable ceramic composite compound having a second electrical resistance about the first body so as to form a compound body. The compound body is then sintered. The resulting ceramic pin heating element is directly formed without additional steps for protecting (insulating) the element so as to prevent the exterior, complementary heating conductors from contacting the housing and/or terminal bolts. The danger of breakage of the pins at the mounting location and/or at the seal seat through variations in the thickness of contact and/or insulation coatings is minimized.

Abstract: A process for the production of dielectric porcelain composition includes: a first step of admixing Bi2O3 and CuO with a BaO—TiO2—ReO{fraction (3/2)} main material, wherein Re is a lanthanoid element, to give a material mixture; a second step of calcining the material mixture at a temperature of 950° C. or higher; a third step of milling the calcined material mixture to a mean particle diameter of about 2.0 &mgr;m or less; a fourth step of admixing a B2O3—SiO2 glass component and CuO with the milled material mixture to give a material for a dielectric porcelain composition; and a fifth step of forming the material into a target shape and firing the shaped material at a temperature of 1000° C. or lower. The obtained dielectric porcelain composition is sinterable at low temperatures and has a high specific dielectric constant and Q-value and a satisfactory thermostability.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a composite material such as that having high thermal conductivity and having specific application as a heat sink or heat spreader for high density integrated circuits. The composite material produced by this process has a thermal conductivity between that of diamond and copper, and basically consists of coated diamond particles dispersed in a high conductivity metal, such as copper. The composite material can be fabricated in small or relatively large sizes using inexpensive materials. The process basically consists, for example, of sputter coating diamond powder with several elements, including a carbide forming element and a brazeable material, compacting them into a porous body, and infiltrating the porous body with a suitable braze material, such as copper-silver alloy, thereby producing a dense diamond-copper composite material with a thermal conductivity comparable to synthetic diamond films at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: A ceramic composite particle having an average particle size of 0.1-120 &mgr;m, which comprises uniformly dispersed fine ceramic particle phases and a binder phase. The fine ceramic particle phases, each having a particle size of 1 nm to 1 &mgr;m and comprising a ceramic primary particle, are bound together through the binder phase which is formed by a reaction between a sintering aid and a ceramic particle. The ceramic composite particle may be produced by heat-treating a homogeneous mixture of the ceramic particle and the sintering aid until the binder phase appears. The ceramic composite particle has a good moldability and provides a highly densified sintered body with a high strength.

Abstract: The present method of manufacturing a ceramic composite material, composed of matrix and reinforcing materials and an intermediate weak interfice material, creates a composite material particuarly intended for use at temperatures above 1400° C. and in an oxidizing environment. The matrix and reinforcing materials consist of the same or different ceramic oxides having a melting point above 1600° C. The interface material provides in combination with the matrix and reinforcing materials a stress field liable to micro aciding. The reinforcing material is immersed into a powder slurry containing carbon (C) and ZrO2 so as to be coated thereby and then dried. After which, the thus created composite material is subjected to green forming and densifying steps. Finally, the composite material undergoes a heat-treatment in air leaving a porous structure of the interface material.

Abstract: A gelcasting method of making an internally graded article includes the steps of: preparing at least two slurries, each of the slurries including a different gelcastable powder suspended in a gelcasting solution, the slurries characterized by having comparable shrinkage upon drying and sintering thereof; casting the slurries into a mold having a selected shape, wherein relative proportions of the slurries is varied in at least one direction within the selected shape; gelling the slurries to form a solid gel while preserving the variation in relative proportions of the slurries; drying the gel to form a dried green body; and sintering the dry green body to form a solid object, at least one property thereof varying because of the variation in relative proportions of the starting slurries.

Abstract: An improved materials feeder equipment includes highly efficient, durable, and wear and abrasion resistant sliding contact elements. In particular, the equipment has a feeder box and a ware plate arranged for sliding contact, each having high precision tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic or, alternatively, zirconia-alumina composite.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing ceramic components, a resin mold is initially filled with a paste containing a ceramic material. Next, a ceramic powder is applied on the paste. The ceramic powder and paste are then press-formed and removed from the resin mold. Finally, the ceramic powder and paste are baked. The method allows manufacturing of ceramic components having a microstructure without collapse. Additionally, ceramic components having a large area can be manufactured without warping.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for manufacturing a part made of high temperature-resistant, ceramic material based on aluminum nitride and reaction sintering. The process comprises the steps of preparing a homogeneous mixture of boron nitride powder, aluminum powder and a paste-like binder, capable of solidifying by chemical reaction and by solvent loss through drying. The mixture is formed by mold casting and then pressed and heated, to a temperature not exceeding approximately 70° C., to harden the binder and to obtain a solid and manipulable unfired part. The binder is eliminated by heating to a temperature of approximately 300° C. Pores of the unfired part are impregnated by immersing the part in a bath of molten aluminum or aluminum alloy to form an impregnated preform. Thereafter, the impregnated preform is removed from the bath, cooled, and machined to the final dimensions of the part. A ceramic is obtained by reaction sintering the machined part at a temperature of 900 to 1000° C.

Abstract: The gas filter module of the invention has: a housing which has a gas inlet port at one end and a gas outlet port at another end, and which is divided into two portions in a longitudinal direction; a filter body consisting of a porous ceramics member which is loaded into the housing and through which an inflow gas passes; and a ring-like support member consisting of dense ceramics which is fittingly coupled to a step portion formed inside the housing and which is joined to the filter body. The ring-like support member is fixed via two metal O-rings to a fixing gap of the step portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method for making molded glass and ceramic articles including dispersing fine base articles in water, adding coarse base particles to form a bimodal dispersion of base particles, adding aqueous fluorine, agitating the dispersion of base particles and fluorine, and molding the dispersion of base particles and fluorine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing high-strength construction and decoration materials which resemble natural stone, are in the form of panels and are used for cladding facades, walls and floors, both indoors and outdoors, from mixtures of broken glass, mineral components and finely divided additives, with a specified composition. A sintering aid, in the form of a solution of metal oxychlorides or metal alkoxides or tetrachlorides, preferably titanium tetrachloride, is added to the mixture, which is then introduced into a heat-resistant mould. In this mould, the mixture is subjected to a conventional sintering operation. The sintering aid which has been added makes it possible in particular to reduce the maximum sintering temperature and to improve the quality of the surface considerably.

Abstract: A ceramics dress substrate of the present invention capable of both performances of cutting a cut material with a high accuracy and dressing a diamond cutting grindstone with an excellent cutting property and an reduced wearing amount of the grindstone. This ceramics dress substrate comprises sintering a mixture of ceramics grinding particles and a silicate mineral, The ceramics grinding particles are preferably uniformed and have a scratch hardness ranging from 6 to 10. Alumina grinding particles, silicon carbide and mullite are preferably used as the ceramics grinding particles, and a kaolin mineral, pyrophyllite, montmorillonite, sericite, talc and chlorite are preferably used as the silicate mineral. The ceramics dress substrate is preferably coated with glass.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride sintered body has characteristics such that an amount of total metal elements other than aluminum is smaller than 100 ppm, and a volume resistivity at room temperature is greater than 1.0×109 &OHgr;·cm and is smaller than 1.0×1013 &OHgr;·cm. A metal including member has such a construction that a metal member is embedded in the aluminum nitride sintered body mentioned above. An electrostatic chuck is made by the metal including member mentioned above. In the metal including member mentioned above in which the metal member is embedded in the aluminum nitride sintered body mentioned above, a volume resistivity thereof can be controlled without adding a low resistance material in aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A multi-layer roll having a thin fluoropolymer top coat on an elastomeric base layer bonded to a substantially rigid insert is provided. The top coat is formed by placing a thin non-self supporting fluoropolymer sleeve and about the insert, or wrapping within extruded fluoropolymer film about the insert which is placed in a mold sleeve and positioned in a book mold to holds the membrane in place. Liquid or flowable elastomer is injected into the space between the insert and flexible top coat at a point downstream of where the top layer is held in position between mold elements to prevent wrinkling. The mold is then heated to cure the elastomer.

Abstract: A method for preparing high density titanium diboride ceramic bodies in which titanium diboride powder is first mixed with a preceramic organosilicon polymer. The mixture is then molded and sintered under pressure or by a pressureless process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an anti-oxidation system for porous ceramics on the basis of SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4. By means of infiltration into the pore inner spaces of a sol containing at least one metal component, conversion of the sol to a gel (sol-gel process) and a subsequent high-temperature treatment, it is possible successfully to provide a crystalline anti-oxidation layer, which is resistant to temperatures of up to at least 1650.degree. C. even under cyclic temperature stresses, and reveals a heat expansion behavior adapted to the SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 over the entire temperature range used.

Abstract: A method for making multilayer ceramic substrates having substantially reduced planar shrinkage and distortion resulting from the firing or sintering process. Contact sheets are employed in the fabrication process on the surface of the multilayer ceramic substrate to be fired with the contact sheets being prepared from a composition containing a non-sinterable non-metallic inorganic material such as alumina having an average particle size approximately about 1 micron or less and an organic binder and preferably a plasticizer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multilayer structure to be fired containing the contact sheet of the invention is provided with a beveled or chamfered edge at an angle of greater than about 60 degrees. A fabrication process employing only chamfering of the edge or the use of a contact sheet of the invention also provides improved multilayer ceramic substrate products.

Abstract: A method for making an alpha prime SiAlON-based ceramic article, including the steps of providing an admixture of starting materials and densifying said admixture. The admixture includes: beta silicon nitride; a source of aluminum selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, alumina, and mixtures thereof; at least one oxide compound; and a plurality of alpha prime SiAlON seeds.

Abstract: Metal carbide supported polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compacts having improved abrasion/impact resistance properties and a method for making the same under high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) processing conditions. The PCD compact is characterized as having a mixture of submicron sized diamond particles and large sized diamond particles.

Abstract: 845 A method of producing a ceramic-metal-halide (CMH) discharge lamp having a monolithic seal between a sapphire (single crystal alumina) arc tube and a polycrystalline alumina end cap. The method includes the steps of providing an arc tube of fully dense sapphire and providing an end cap made of unsintered compressed polycrystalline alumina powder. The end cap is heated until it is presintered to remove organic binder material at a low temperature relative to the sintering temperature. The presintered end cap is placed on an end portion of the arc tube to form an interface therebetween. The assembled presintered end cap and arc tube are then heated to the sintering temperature wherein the end cap is fully sintered onto the arc tube and the sapphire tube grows into the end cap. A monolithic seal is formed at the previous interface between the end cap and the arc tube as the sapphire tube grows into the polycrystalline alumina end cap.

Abstract: A female mold (2, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62) having a desirable pattern is formed on a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61). Next, ceramic material (3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63) is filled in spaces in the female mold. Thereafter, the female mold is removed by heating the entire substrate, whereby a desirable thick film pattern can be finely and easily formed. The inorganic paste material comprising inorganic liquid vehicle containing water glass as main ingredient and powdery solid dispersed in the inorganic liquid vehicle is used as the ceramic material. The volume change of the inorganic paste material is small during the drying and calcinating processes, thus the inorganic paste material is prevented from being broken.

Abstract: A high pressure/high temperature process is disclosed for making polycrystalline diamond or CBN compacts having chip control surfaces formed thereon. Making these chip control surfaces is accomplished by pre-forming the indentations or raised dimples within the can used in the HP/HT process.