Abstract: A method for creating a vessel with a noise chamber comprising casting slip into a mold defining a vessel with a void in the foot, controlling the hardening process to facilitate the foot becoming leather-hard prior to the other parts of the vessel, placing a bead within the void in the foot, attaching a foot slab with a hole to the foot of the vessel to create a noise chamber out of the void in the foot, drying the vessel beyond a leather-hard state, applying a temporary cover to the hole in the foot slab, glazing the vessel, firing the vessel and applying a seal to the hole in the foot slab.

Abstract: In a known composite material with a fused silica matrix there are regions of silicon-containing phase embedded. In order to provide a composite material which is suitable for producing components for use in high-temperature processes for heat treatment even when exacting requirements are imposed on impermeability to gas and on purity, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the composite material be impervious to gas, have a closed porosity of less than 0.5% and a specific density of at least 2.19 g/cm3, and at a temperature of 1000° C. have a spectral emissivity of at least 0.7 for wavelengths between 2 and 8 ?m.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate.

Abstract: Fused silica ceramics plays demanding role in high velocity missile/aircraft'radome development. Slip casting is the most common and commercially viable process utilized for radome production. Unfortunately slip casting cannot afford high density due to its poor green packing density which in turn results in poor rain erosion resistance. Present invention discloses process for preparing high density fused silica bodies by adding boron oxide (B2O3) with the commercially available high purity fused silica as sintering aid cum de-vitrification inhibitor. Various concentrations of B2O3 were added to high purity fused silica. Thus formed compositions were made into slip-castable slurries in aqueous medium without any addition of dispersing agents. The reheological properties like mild shear thinning and low thixotropic behaviour of the slurries were established. These slurries were then slip-casted in plaster of parries mold. The green and sintered properties of the casted samples were studied.

Abstract: The invention provides a porous glass ceramic composition manufactured using conventional raw materials and one or more waste materials, wherein the waste materials are capable of producing glass forming oxides, glass modifying oxides and pore forming oxides. The waste materials are selected from a group that includes cullet, pozzolanic waste and fly ash. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing the porous glass ceramic composition.

Abstract: A method for creating a vessel with a noise chamber comprising casting slip into a mold defining a vessel with a void in the foot, controlling the hardening process to facilitate the foot becoming leather-hard prior to the other parts of the vessel, placing a bead within the void in the foot, attaching a foot slab with a hole to the foot of the vessel to create a noise chamber out of the void in the foot, drying the vessel beyond a leather-hard state, applying a temporary cover to the hole in the foot slab, glazing the vessel, firing the vessel and applying a seal to the hole in the foot slab.

Abstract: Sintered bodies containing zirconia-based ceramic materials and partially sintered bodies that are intermediates in the preparation of the sintered bodies are described. The zirconia-based ceramic material is doped with lanthanum and yttrium. The grain size of the zirconia-based ceramic material can be controlled by the addition of lanthanum. The crystalline phase of the zirconia-based ceramic material can be influenced by the addition of yttrium.

Abstract: The process for the synthesis of a silica monolith comprises the following steps: hydrolysis of a silicon alkoxide in order to form a hydrolysis precursor followed by a condensation of said hydrolysis precursor in the presence of an organic solvent, in the presence of water and of a basic catalyst in order to form oligomeric clusters containing several silicon atoms; dispersion of said oligomeric clusters in a solution in order to form a sol; polymerization of the sol in order to obtain a gel via a first heat treatment, at a temperature below the boiling point of the constituents of the sol; drying of the gel via a second heat treatment; conversion of the gel to a xerogel via a third heat treatment; dehydration and densification of the xerogel until the silica monolith is obtained via a fourth heat treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method allowing cost-effective production of doped quartz glass, particularly laser-active quartz glass, that is improved with regard to the homogeneity of the doping material distribution, in that a suspension is provided comprising SiO2 particles and an initial compound for at least one doping material in an aqueous fluid, the fluid being removed under formation of a doped intermediate product comprising particles of the doping material or particles of the precursor substance or the doping material, and the doped quartz glass is formed by sintering the doped intermediate product, wherein at least part of the particles of the doping material or the particles of the precursor substance of the same is generated in the suspension as a precipitate of a pH-value-controlled precipitation reaction of the initial compound.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a substrate having an energy generating element configured to generate energy required to discharge liquid, a discharge port configured to discharge the liquid and provided in an opposed relationship to the energy generating element, a wall member defining a chamber adapted to store the energy required to discharge liquid the energy being generated by the energy generating element, a discharge portion defining a fluid path connecting the chamber and the discharge port, a supply path facilitating supplying the liquid into the chamber, and a pair of hollow portions provided in the wall member, wherein the hollow portions oppose each other and sandwich at least the entire discharge port in a direction from the discharge port to the substrate, and the hollow portions are independent of the chamber.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing indium tin oxide (ITO) sputtering targets is provided. The process includes: precipitating indium and tin hydroxides, calcining the hydroxides to produce granulated ITO powder, preparing an aqueous slurry of the ITO powder with additives such as special sintering aids, dispersing agent and binders, milling the slurry to obtain a slip, preparing compacted ITO green bodies by casting the slip using porous molds or drying the slip to yield granulated ITO powder and cold isostatic pressing the powder, and sintering the green body to yield ITO target of high density greater than 99% of theoretical.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous structure from a first material. The method comprises the acts of mixing the first material with a second material to form a mixture, the first material having a melting point which is lower than the second material, heating the mixture under pressure to a temperature between a melting point of the first material and a melting point of the second material, cooling the molten mixture until it hardens and removing the second material from the first material. The method may also include a subsequent annealing step. There is also described a material suitable for implant, illustratively vertebral or spinal implants, comprising a rigid biocompatible polymer such as PEEK comprising a plurality of interconnected pores. The polymer illustratively has a porosity of between 50% and 85% by volume and in a particular embodiment is able to withstand pressures of up to 20 MPa. The porous PEEK material may also have a minimum thickness in any dimension of one (1) inch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming desired patterns on ceramic tile from a slurry comprising: a means for preparing a slurry; at least one slurry holding tank for holding at least one type of slurry; at least one pattern forming tray; at least one means for connecting said at least one tank to at least one pattern forming tray and a filter pressing unit; wherein the pattern forming unit dispenses a predetermined type, amount, colors of slurry at a predetermined order into the pattern forming tray to form a desired pattern, said slurry with desired pattern is pressed with the filter pressing unit to form ceramic tiles or slabs with a desired pattern running though its entire thickness.

Abstract: A method for making a porous material, includes melt-blending two or more non-miscible polymers to obtain a co-continuous melt, solidifying the melt to obtain a solid mass consisting of two co-continuous polymer phases, and selectively extracting one of the co-continuous phases thereby creating within the solid mass an essentially continuous pore network having an internal surface. The method further includes replicating the internal surface of the pore network within the solid mass by coating the internal surface with successive layers of materials, and selectively extracting the solid mass without extracting the layers of materials, to thereby yield the product porous material, formed of the layers of materials. The material has a void fraction higher than about 75%, and mainly having essentially fully interconnected sheath-like non-spherical pores and essentially non-fibrous walls.

Abstract: Shaped bodies having catalytic properties which can be obtained by a process comprising the steps: a) production of a shaped body by means of a powder-based rapid prototyping process, b) if appropriate, a heat treatment of the shaped body, c) if appropriate, application of at least one catalytically active component to the shaped body, d) if appropriate, a further heat treatment, where steps b), c) and/or d) can be carried out a number of times, are used as reactor internals in heterogeneously catalyzed chemical reactions.

Abstract: An installation (100) for the manufacture of ceramic products comprises a mold (1) divided into at least two parts (2, 3) forming an internal cavity (C) where the ceramic product is formed, and mobile towards and away from each other, under the action of respective drive means (4) acting in both directions along a predetermined clamping line (S), in such a way as to join or detach the parts (2, 3) to/from each other; each part (2, 3) of the mold (1) comprises at least one rear outside surface (2p, 3p) and one lateral outside surface (2s, 3s); at least one of the parts (2, 3) is equipped with means (6) for containing and controlling a fluid and encompassing the rear (2p, 3p) and lateral (2s, 3s) outside surfaces of the mold (1) part (2, 3); the containment means (6) are associated with the part (2, 3) of the mold (1) in such a way that during the product casting cycle the forces (SF) acting on the part (2, 3) of the mold (1) are constantly compensated by correlated forces (FR).

Abstract: A method of making a transparent ceramic including the steps of providing nano-ceramic powders in a processed or unprocessed form, mixing the powders with de-ionized water, the step of mixing the powders with de-ionized water producing a slurry, sonifing the slurry to completely wet the powder and suspend the powder in the de-ionized water, separating very fine particles from the slurry, molding the slurry, and curing the slurry to produce the transparent ceramic.

Abstract: A process for the functional regeneration of the porosity of the materials used to make molds (2) for molding ceramic objects, when the pores have been damaged by use of the mold (2), comprises the sequential execution of at least two successive steps of an ordered sequence which includes the steps of: eliminating contamination caused by organic substances from the mold (2); eliminating contamination of biological origin from the mold (2); attacking inorganic encrustations and eliminating inorganic substances which have infiltrated the pores of the mold (2), the initial step of the process being preset according to the nature of a predetermined contaminating agent.

Abstract: Method of glazing ceramic articles, consisting of preparing a glaze compound in liquid suspension, preferably aqueous; feeding the glaze compound in liquid suspension, preferably aqueous, into the forming cavity of a porous mould, for the time required to create a glaze film of desired thickness on the surface of the cavity by absorption of the liquid phase; feeding the slip into the same cavity for the time required to create the wall of the article by absorption of the liquid phase.

Abstract: Slip containing at least one aluminium oxide powder and at least one unstabilized zirconium dioxide powder, wherein a) the zirconium dioxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of less than 300 nm, ii) shows only the monoclinic phase and the tetragonal phase in the X-ray diffraction pattern, with the proportion of tetragonal phase at room temperature being from 20 to 70%, and iii) is present in a proportion of from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, b) the aluminium oxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of more than 300 nm and ii) is present in a proportion of from 80 to 98% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, and c) the solids content, as the sum of aluminium oxide and zirconium dioxide, is from 50 to 85% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining a structure made from a porous ceramic material comprising at least 95% of silicon carbide SiC, said process being characterized in that said structure is obtained from a mixture of SiC grains comprising at least: a first fraction of ?-SiC grains whose median diameter is less than 5 microns; a second fraction of ?-SiC grains whose median diameter is at least two times greater than that of the first fraction of ?-SiC grains and whose median diameter is greater than or equal to 5 microns; and a fraction of ?-SiC grains or of at least a precursor of ?-SiC grains. The invention also relates to the porous structure obtained according to the process.

Abstract: A sintered alumina product includes, as a percentage by weight, more than 99.95% of alumina (Al2O3), the grain size of the alumina being in the range 0.2 ?m to 1.5 ?m, and has a density greater than 99.95% of the theoretical density of the alumina.

Abstract: A method for reducing the loss of magnesium during the sintering of aluminum oxide articles, such as ceramic discharge vessels for lighting applications. Magnesium oxide is added to aluminum oxide articles to control grain growth during sintering, but the sintering causes magnesium loss from the article. In order to address this problem, one or more aluminum oxide articles that are enriched in magnesium oxide are added to the sintering furnace to stem the loss of magnesium oxide in the remaining articles. The enriched aluminum oxide article is made by soaking a porous aluminum oxide article in an aqueous solution of magnesium nitrate and heating the porous article to convert the magnesium nitrate to magnesium oxide. The enriched articles may then be added in one or several locations to the sintering furnace, where the magnesium from the enriched articles is released to suppress the magnesium loss.

Abstract: Slip containing at least one aluminium oxide powder and at least one unstabilized zirconium dioxide powder, wherein a) the zirconium dioxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of less than 300 nm, ii) shows only the monoclinic phase and the tetragonal phase in the X-ray diffraction pattern, with the proportion of tetragonal phase at room temperature being from 20 to 70%, and iii) is present in a proportion of from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, b) the aluminium oxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of more than 300 nm and ii) is present in a proportion of from 80 to 98% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, and c) the solids content, as the sum of aluminium oxide and zirconium dioxide, is from 50 to 85% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip.

Abstract: A wet-type compacting method of a ceramic powder using a solvent, wherein the ceramic powder is coated with a high polymer organic substance which is substantially insoluble in the solvent so that homogeneity of a compact is kept, while generating no problem during each process and excellent plasticity and/or strength are exhibited by the compact, and if a sintering process follows a compacting process, sintering characteristics are improved.

Abstract: A process for the functional regeneration of the porosity of the materials used to make molds (2) for moulding ceramic objects, when the pores have been damaged by use of the mold (2), comprises the sequential execution of at least two successive steps of an ordered sequence which includes the steps of: eliminating contamination caused by organic substances form the mold (2); eliminating contamination of biological origin from the mold (2); attacking inorganic encrustations and eliminating inorganic substances which have infiltrated the pores of the mold (2), the initial step of the process being preset according to the nature of a predetermined contaminating agent. A station implementing the process is also an integral part of the present invention.

Abstract: A slip-cast article former containing ternary ceramics, particularly of carbide and nitride materials, having the formula Mn+1AXn(MAX), where M is a transition metal, A is an element from Groups IA and IVA of the periodic table, X is nitrogen or carbon and n is 1, 2, or 3. The ternary ceramic article may be a glove or condom former. A process for making a ternary ceramic article employing a slip cast method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of an electrode for use at high temperatures, in which an electrode green compact is formed from a ceramic slip. The slip is formed from at least one solid electrolyte material as well as a metal oxide powder. The green compact is dried and sintered. A porous hard granular material of solid electrolyte material is used in the slip, the mean diameter of the metal oxide powder grains not exceeding or not substantially exceeding the mean diameter of the pores of the hard granular material. An electrode having a temperature-stable conductivity is obtained according to the invention. The area of use of the electrode is typically in high-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: A thermochemically stable oxidic thermal insulating material presenting phase stability, which can be used advantageously as a thermal insulating layer on parts subjected to high thermal stress, such as turbine blades or such like. The thermal insulating material can be processed by plasma spraying and consists preferably of a magnetoplumbite phase whose preferred composition is MMeAl11O19, where M is La or Nd and where Me is chosen from among zinc, the alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and rare earths, preferably from magnesium, zinc, cobalt, manganese, iron, nickel and chromium.

Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.

Abstract: A method for making a thermal insulating material includes the steps of: providing a chamber, placing hollow geometric shapes in the chamber, closing the chamber, evacuating air from the chamber, feeding a slurry into an adjacent slurry chamber, pressurizing the slurry chamber and forcing the slurry in to the sphere chamber around the spheres against a fibrous material adjacent a side wall of the sphere chamber. The fibrous material allows capillary wicking of the liquid from the slurry around the spheres. Due to this pressure the spheres and slurry are semi dried into a green state. The material in its green state green is subsequently dried and fired to form the insulating material.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a sulfoaluminate or ferroaluminate cement, and an apparatus for the manufacture. The cement is manufactured from a mixture containing CaCO3, Al3 and/or Al(OH)3, CaSO4, SiO2 and/or a product containing silica or silicates such as clay, these compounds being present in the anhydrous or hydrated form. In this process, the mixture is treated up to clinkering by movement in a center of a kiln, in a sheet with approximately constant thickness, at approximately constant speed, along a treatment path having a positive temperature gradient, and for a treatment time during which the mixture remains below its melting temperature. The mixture is clinkered to produce a clinkered mixture that is cooled upon exit from the treatment path.

Abstract: A method for forming plate-like ceramic articles, comprising at least one step for deposition by pouring of at least one layer of a ceramic mixture that comprises an aqueous vehicle on a substantially absorbent transfer surface adapted to draw the aqueous vehicle, at least one step for drying so as to obtain a continuous material strand, and a cutting step for cutting the strand into a plurality of ceramic articles. An apparatus for performing the method comprising a framework for supporting an absorbent transfer surface, at least one unit for depositing at least one mixture layer onto the surface, at least one drying unit for at least partial drying of the mixture layer to obtain a continuous strand of plastic ceramic material, and a cutting unit.

Abstract: A method for producing high-alumina bodies with superior chemical properties at reduced sintering temperatures, including the steps of providing an alumina powder precursor, adding about 4 weight percent magnesia powder precursor, homogenizing the resultant green powder precursor, pressing a green body from the green powder precursor, removing residual moisture and organic material from the green body, and firing the green body to about cone 13, wherein the resulting high-alumina body is substantially non-vitreous, has a substantially uniformly sized grain structure, is very resistant to dissolution in molten aluminum, and has superior resistance to chemical attack over substantially the entire pH range.

Abstract: Colloidal isopressing provides a rapid method to form an engineering shape from a powder slurry, previously filtered to remove strength degrading inclusions. A slurry composed of a weakly attractive particle network, produced with a short-range, repulsive interparticle par potential, is consolidated to make a body with a high particle density that is easily fluidized by vibration. The fluid-like body is injected into a flexible mold and subjected to a larger isostatic pressure to force particles into contact. This creates a strong, elastic body with the shape of the mold. Because the particles are forced into contact at a high pressure, the liquid remaining within the component can be removed by evaporation without shrinkage, avoiding fracture during rapid drying.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel enclosing a discharge space. The discharge vessel is provided with a ceramic wall which is formed through sintering of a body shaped by sludge molding. The sludge molding process comprises the steps of: injecting an outer porous mold with sludge, precipitating the sludge against the outer mold, and removing the excess sludge, removing the outer mold, and pre-firing of the molded body. According to the invention, the sludge is injected into the outer mold by means of a hollow needle which extends to inside the hollow mold.

Abstract: A powder bed (32) is built up by repeated deposition of a slurry that contains powder. Layers are made by depositing a liquid dispersion of the desired powdered material, which then slip-casts into the forming powder bed to make a new layer (34). The slurry may be deposited in any suitable manner, such as by raster or vector scanning, or by a plurality of simultaneous jets that coalesce before the liquid slip-casts into the bed, or by individual drops, the deposits of which are individually controlled, thereby generating a regular surface for each layer.

Abstract: An improved porous article and a method for forming such porous article are provided. A mixture of ceramic or metal particles and pliable organic hollow spheres is prepared in a liquid, typically as a suspension. The article is formed by pressing, slip casting, extruding or injection molding the mixture. The article is dried to remove the liquid, and then is fired so that the particles are bonded such as by sintering, and the organic spheres are eliminated, resulting in a strong porous article having uniformly spaced interconnected voids.

Abstract: A sol-gel process for producing dry porous gel monoliths, e.g., silica glass monoliths, in which the successive process steps of gelling, aging and drying all occur within a mold formed of a selected porous material, e.g., graphite. The mold is inert to the gel solution and it has sufficient strength to withstand the temperatures and pressures encountered during the process. The mold and gel thereby can remain within a sealed autoclave during these process steps, and mechanical handling of the mold and the gel are minimized. This substantially enhances the process' efficiency. Alternatively, the mold can have a non-porous inner skin to enhance ease of cleaning of the mold, and of removal of the gel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an SiC preform of a high volume fraction used for the manufacture of a metal matrix composite. The method involves the steps of mixing SiC particles of different particle sizes each selected from a range of 0.2 to 48 &mgr;m with an organic binder, an inorganic binder, an aggregating agent, and distilled water, thereby producing a mixture, and stirring the mixture in accordance with a ball milling process, thereby producing a slurry containing the SiC particles, pouring the slurry containing the SiC particles into a mold having upper and lower molds respectively provided with absorbent bodies, and squeezing the slurry in the mold, thereby reducing a residual moisture content of the slurry, completely drying the slurry reduced in residual moisture content, thereby producing an SiC preform, and calcinating the SiC preform. The preform is impregnated with a metal matrix while maintaining a high reinforcement volume fraction of 70 vol % or more.

Abstract: This invention provides a production method of a ceramic body that can use waste and defectives generated during a production process. The invention includes a dust removal step of removing dust below a predetermined particle size from granulated powder in a slurry, a molding step of molding the slurry containing granulated powder into a primary molded body, a cutting step of cutting the resulting primary molded body into a non-sintered molded body having a desired shape, a deflocculation step of deflocculating the dust removed in the dust removal step so that at least 50 wt % of particles having a particle size of not greater than 5 &mgr;m are contained, and mixing water to obtain a regenerated slurry, and a step of molding a non-sintered molded body from at least the regenerated slurry so obtained, and sintering it to obtain a ceramic body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a solid molded article, in particular a ceramic and/or metallic article made of pulverized particles. The invention also relates to stable dispersions of pulverized particles in an aqueous fluid medium, solid molded articles made of pulverized particles, and sintered ceramic and/or metallic molded articles.

Abstract: Ceramic oxide pre-forms comprising substantially continuous, alpha alumina fibers, and methods for making the same. The ceramic oxide pre-forms are useful, for example, as in making metal matrix composites reinforced with substantially continuous, alpha alumina fibers.

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 method for forming a ceramic part with an internal structure includes aqueous slip-casting and a polystyrene foam insert. An aqueous slurry is poured over the insert to form a green body. The insert is shaped to produce the desired internal structure upon being encased by the slurry. The insert is then removed from the green body by dissolving it in trichloroethylene. Because the polystyrene foam does not expand when exposed to trichloroethylene and rapidly dissolves, build up of shrinkage stress in the green body is avoided. The green body is then sintered to produce the ceramic part with an internal structure.

Abstract: A method for preparing ceramic particle slurries having controlled rheological properties to allow further processing to ceramic green bodies with improved compaction, green strength and green density is disclosed. Polymer additives containing 0.1 to 20% of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid monomer units are especially useful in controlling the viscosity of high solids aqueous slurries of ceramic particles and acting as binders to improve the strength of finished ceramic articles, such as sinks, spas, bathroom fixtures and sanitaryware.

Abstract: A ceramic composition is provided to insulate ceramic matrix composites under high temperature, high heat flux environments. The composition comprises a plurality of hollow oxide-based spheres of various dimensions, a phosphate binder, and at least one oxide filler powder, whereby the phosphate binder partially fills gaps between the spheres and the filler powders. The spheres are situated in the phosphate binder and the filler powders such that each sphere is in contact with at least one other sphere. The spheres may be any combination of Mullite spheres, Alumina spheres, or stabilized Zirconia spheres. The filler powder may be any combination of Alumina, Mullite, Ceria, or Hafnia. Preferably, the phosphate binder is Aluminum Ortho-Phosphate. A method of manufacturing the ceramic insulating composition and its application to CMC substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Ceramics with a glaze applied to the surface of ceramic blank, the bending strength of which ceramic blank is 100 Mpa or higher or the firing shrinkage rate is 7% or higher and the porosity is 7.5% or higher.

Abstract: A process for producing a body having a porous matrix of at least one recrystallized ceramic material, or for producing a similar fiber-reinforced body, includes shaping a raw material batch which contains a raw material powder and then sintering. A raw material powder is used which has grain size distribution of a fine grain fraction of an average grain size of at most approximately 2 &mgr;m and a coarse grain fraction of an average grain size of approximately 1.5 &mgr;m to approximately 30 &mgr;m, and the sintering process is carried out at a temperature of at most approximately 1,800° C. Because of the selected grain sizes and grain size distributions, the sintering process can be carried out at lower temperatures. In particular, reinforcing fibers can be worked in which can withstand higher sintering temperatures. By defining the grain size of the powder, a porosity can also be set which permits a good impregnating with organic and/or inorganic substances.

Abstract: An improved porous ceramic article and a method for forming such porous ceramic article. A mixture of ceramic particles and pliable organic hollow spheres is prepared in a liquid, typically as a suspension. The article is formed by pressing, slip casting, extruding or injection molding the mixture. The article is dried to remove the liquid, and then is fired so that the ceramic particles are bonded such as by sintering, and the organic spheres are burned off, resulting in a strong porous ceramic article having uniformly spaced interconnected voids.