Abstract: An object is to provide a sintered body causing less chipping and having a sufficiently higher polishing rate than a conventional AlTiC sintered body, and providing a sufficiently smooth air bearing surface. The sintered body according to the present invention consists of Al2O3, a compound represented by the chemical formula (1) below, and a composite oxide containing Al and Ti, TiCxOy??(1) wherein x+y?1, x>0 and y>0.

Abstract: A composite material consisting essentially of ZrSiO4 and sintering additives selected from Type I, Type II and Type III sintering additives and combinations thereof in amounts indicated below: Type I: 0.0-0.1 wt % selected from Fe2O3, SnO2, oxide glasses, and mixtures and combinations thereof Type II: 0.1-0.8 wt % selected from TiO2, SiO2, VO2, CoO, NiO, NbO, and mixtures and combinations thereof Type III: 0.0-0.8 wt % selected from Y2O3, ZrO2, CaO, MgO, Cr2O3, Al2O3, and mixtures and combinations thereof wherein the amount of sintering additives are weight percentages on an oxide basis of the total weight of the composition, as well as method for making such composite material. The present invention is particularly useful for making large-size refractory bodies resistant to creep at an elevated operating temperature, such as an isopipe for fusion draw glass making processes.

Abstract: A deep-grooved ball bearing including a rolling contact member formed of a sintered ?-sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a plurality of balls arranged in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring on an annular raceway. The ball is configured of a sintered body that contains as a main component a ?-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1?z?3.5 and has a remainder formed of an impurity.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy process for the manufacture of powders of a refractory ceramic material, comprising the consecutive steps of: (i) obtaining a dry mixture of a hafnium dioxide HfO2 powder and an yttrium oxide Y2O3 powder; (ii) step of granulation by pelletization of the dry mixture under stirring in order to obtain a granulated mixture, this granulation step comprising the spraying, into the dry mixture, of an aqueous solution comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG); (iii) drying of the granulated mixture; (iv) filling of a mold with said granulated mixture; (v) isostatical or semi-isostatical pressing of the granulated mixture in order to obtain a compact mixture; (vi) sintering of the compact mixture in order to obtain a refractory ceramic material at a solidus temperature in the range between 2500° C. and 2800° C.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sintered compact having high density, and a sintered compact manufactured by the manufacturing method are provided. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of preparing hydroxyapatite powder, molding a green compact, shaping the green compact, and sintering the green compact. Further, a method for manufacturing a sintered compact having high light permeability, and a sintered compact manufactured by the manufacturing method are provided. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of preparing hydroxyapatite powder, molding a green compact, shaping the green compact, primary sintering, and secondary sintering. Furthermore, a cell culture base formed from the sintered compact described above is provided, by which affinity of various cells with bone can be properly determined. Moreover, a cell culture base by which affinity of various cells with bone can be properly determined is provided.

Abstract: In the process for producing dental phostheses such as bridges, crowns implants, etc. from ceramic material, production is carried out at least by way of one CAD/CAM machining station. The ceramic material to be worked consists of an unsintered disk-shaped blank or one which has not been subjected to final sintering, working of the blank into dental prostheses being undertaken at a right angle or quasi-right angle to the parallel or quasi-parallel surfaces of the blank.

Abstract: Lasing systems utilizing YAG and methods for producing a YAG suitable for lasing are provided. The lasing system comprises a laser activator and a laser host material is provided. The laser host material comprises a transparent polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet material defined by a low porosity of less than about 3 ppm.

Abstract: A low temperature process for making radiopac materials is disclosed. The process utilizes industrial/agricultural waste as raw materials and includes mixing 11-88% w/w of the industrial/agricultural waste materials, 11-88% w/w of an alkali or alkaline earth metal compound and 7-15% w/w of a phosphatic binder to obtain a homogenized mixture. The homogenized mixture is compressed at a pressure in the range of 100-300 Kg/cm2 to obtain compacted green material samples. The compacted green material samples are baked for 1-3 hours in an Air oven in the temperature range of 90-130° C., and are sintered at a temperature in the range of 920 to 1300° C. for a soaking period of 1-3 hours under air environment in a muffle furnace to obtain the radiopac material.

Abstract: A method of producing an insert which is to be embedded in a concrete structure comprises preparing a flexible mold, setting a cylindrical core in the flexible mold, pouring a powdered ceramic material into the flexible mold in such a manner to fully cover the cylindrical core, compressing the flexible mold from the outside to compress the powdered ceramic material thereby to produce a molded green body that holds therein the cylindrical core, removing the molded green body together with the cylindrical core from the flexible mold, removing the cylindrical core from the molded green body proper by turning the cylindrical core in a releasing direction, and baking the molded green body proper to produce the insert. The cylindrical core has a male thread portion formed thereon and thus, upon removal of the cylindrical core from the molded green body proper, the molded green body has a female thread bore portion.

Abstract: To provide a large sputtering target excellent in discharge characteristics during sputtering and in characteristics of a thin film thereby obtainable. Further, a process for producing a sintered body is provided, whereby a large green body excellent in shape accuracy can be obtained by means of cold isostatic pressing directly without preforming, and a sintered body capable of providing the above-mentioned excellent sputtering target, can be produced efficiently at a low cost. The sputtering target is produced by using a sintered body having the content of carbon contained as an impurity reduced to less than 0.005 wt %. Such a sintered body is obtainable by molding a raw material powder by cold isostatic pressing directly without adding a binder containing an organic substance or a molding aid, followed by firing.

Abstract: A method of producing a solid electrolyte (3, 13) is disclosed wherein solid electrolyte material is prepared having a composition expressed by a formula: (1-x) ZrO2 {xSc2O3 (where x is a number equal to or greater than 0.05 and equal to or less than 0.15), and a spark plasma method is carried out to sinter solid electrolyte material, resulting in a solid electrolyte. Such spark plasma method is executed by applying first compression load, equal to or less that 40 MPa, to solid electrolyte material, to sinter the solid electrolyte material to obtain sintered material, which is then cooled by applying second compression load, less than first compression load, to the sintered material, resulting in a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrically conductive titanium dioxide sputter target with an electrical resistivity of less than 5 ?-cm, which contains as an additive at least one doping agent or a mixture of doping agents in an amount of less than 5 mole %. The doping agent or agents are selected from the group including indium oxide, zinc oxide, bismuth oxide, aluminum oxide, gallium oxide, antimony oxide, and zirconium oxide. This treatment renders the titanium dioxide sputter target suitable for use in a direct-current sputtering process without any negative effects on the properties of the coating.

Abstract: A composite sintered magnetic material comprises a kind of metal powder at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Fe—Si type, Fe—Ni type, Fe—Ni—Mo type, and Fe—Si—Al type, and a ferrite layer formed from a kind of ferrite powder at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni—Zn type, Mn—Zn type, and Mg—Zn type, wherein a diffusion layer is formed by sintering between both of these to integrates the both.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroxylapatite metal composite material. This being, it is provided that this material is obtained by (a) producing a mixture of powdery hydroxylapatite and powdery metal; (b) prepressing of the mixture obtained in step (a) to a green compact and (c) sintering of the green compact obtained in step (b) at a pressure of 1,4 to 7,7 GPa and a temperature of 500 to 900° C.

Abstract: A method for producing high-density, translucent, scintillator ceramics by way of a pressure-less sintering carried out at an elevated temperature. According to the method, particles of a MOS composition are prepared using a specific wet milling method whereby being reduced, in particular, to a particle size of less than 10 ?m. The particles are compacted to form compacted bodies with green densities of up to 50% and higher. The sintering may be carried out under specific sintering parameters.

Abstract: A nanocomposite ceramic includes a uniform combination of a ceramic spinel phase and an alumina phase, wherein each phase exhibits a grain size in the range of from about 0.1 nm to 10,000 nm.

Abstract: This invention relates to refractory mixes produced by mixing a refractory material with an organic binder and heating to a temperature of typically from about 50° C. to about 100° C. to form a stable composite granulate. The refractor mixes comprise a major amount of a refractory material and a minor amount of a binder composition comprising (a) condensed tannin and (b) furfuryl alcohol. The refractory mixes are used to prepare shaped (e.g. bricks) and unshaped (e.g. blast furnace tap holes, troughs, and tundish liners) refractory products. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the refractory products using the refractory mixes.

Abstract: Device in connection with the lithography of structures of nanometer size, which device comprises a first main part (1) with a first principally plane surface (2a) and a second main part (3) with a second principally plane surface (9a), said first surface and second surface being opposite to one another and being arranged in principle parallel in relation to one another, with an adjustable interval between them, and said first and second surface being arranged to form a support for a substrate (5) and a template (10) respectively, or vice-versa. According to the invention, said second main part (3) also comprises a cavity (6) for a medium, and means for adjusting a pressure of said medium, a wall of said cavity consisting of a flexible membrane (9), of which one side, which side faces away from the cavity (6), forms said second surface (9a). The invention also relates to a method that utilizes the device.

Abstract: A dense polycrystalline aluminum oxynitride body is produced. According the method of production, aluminum oxide (alumina) powder and 26 to 40 mole % aluminum nitride powder is mixed to form a very fine powder mixture. The powder mixture is shaped and hot pressed at a moderate temperature, preferably about 1600° C., which is below the temperature of aluminum oxynitride (AlON) formation to produce a dense intermediate body. The dense intermediate body is reacted to produce a highly dense polycrystalline aluminum oxynitride body. The dense body is particularly useful for ballistic armor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ceramic balls useful as ball bearings is described, wherein spherical green bodies are formed into ceramic balls having few pores and substantially uniform strength distribution, using a rubber die having a hardness not higher than 65.

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: Fully dense, diamond-silicon carbide composites are prepared from ball-milled microcrystalline diamond/amorphous silicon powder mixture. The ball-milled powder is sintered (P=5-8 GPa, T=1400K-2300K) to form composites having high fracture toughness. A composite made at 5 GPa/1673K had a measured fracture toughness of 12 MPa·m1/2. By contrast, liquid infiltration of silicon into diamond powder at 5 GPa/1673K produces a composite with higher hardness but lower fracture toughness. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra indicate that amorphous silicon is partially transformed into nanocrystalline silicon at 5 GPa/873K, and nanocrystalline silicon carbide forms at higher temperatures.

Abstract: Fully dense, diamond-silicon carbide composites are prepared from ball-milled microcrystalline diamond/amorphous silicon powder mixture. The ball-milled powder is sintered (P=5-8 GPa, T=1400K-2300K) to form composites having high fracture toughness. A composite made at 5 GPa/1673K had a measured fracture toughness of 12 MPa·m1/2. By contrast, liquid infiltration of silicon into diamond powder at 5 GPa/1673K produces a composite with higher hardness but lower fracture toughness. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra indicate that amorphous silicon is partially transformed into nanocrystalline silicon at 5 GPa/873K, and nanocrystalline silicon carbide forms at higher temperatures.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing optical components for infrared-light or ultraviolet-light applications, by lessening the expense consumed during finishing processes, a technique for manufacturing ceramic optical components inexpensively is realized.

Abstract: A melt-infiltrated, fiber-reinforced composite ceramic containing high-temperature-resistant fibers, in particular fibers based on Si/C/B/N, which are reaction-bonded to a matrix based on Si and also a process for producing such a composite ceramic are described. The silicon melt which is used for the melt infiltration contains additions of iron, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, nickel or aluminum, with particular preference being given to a silicon melt containing from about 5 to 50% by weight of iron and from about 1 to 10% by weight of chromium. This gives a simplified production process compared with conventional silicon melt infiltration and improved properties of the composite ceramic (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.

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: The compression molded article includes an outer plastic film layer, a first plastic layer adhered to the outer plastic film layer and a second plastic layer adhered to the first plastic layer. Long fibers having a length of from 8 to 100 mm are admixed with the second plastic layer. The article is formed by compression molding.

Abstract: A ceramic powder of grains having a shape-anisotropy is mixed with a calcined or uncalcined (or both) powder of a ceramic raw material. A ceramic slurry containing the produced mixed powder, a solvent and a binder is prepared and the ceramic slurry is formed into a sheet. A laminate comprised of a plurality of the sheets laminated to each other is uniaxially pressed to form an oriented product in such a manner that the length of the laminate in the direction parallel to the pressing axis becomes larger than that before the pressing, and the area of a plane perpendicular to the pressing axis of the laminate becomes larger than that before the pressing. The oriented formed product is fired and sintered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing high-density, translucent, scintillator ceramics by means of a pressure-less sintering carried out at an elevated temperature. According to the method, particles of a MOS composition are prepared using a specific wet milling method whereby being reduced, in particular, to a particle size of less than 10 &mgr;m. The particles are compacted to form compacted bodies with green densities of up to 50% and higher. The sintering is carried out under specific sintering parameters.

Abstract: An infrared optical element, and methods for its manufacture. The optical element is made by cold working an ingot of a soft crystalline ionic solid such as silver halide or a thallium halide inside a sacrificial split die. The solid preferably includes at most one part per million of metallic impurities and at most ten parts per million total impurities. Preferably, the Knoop hardness of the ionic solid is at most about 20, and the elongation ratio of the ionic solid is at least 10% at a temperature of 120-180° C. The optical element maybe a bulk element or a surface element. The optical element may be a refractive element, a diffractive element or a hybrid element. One such element is a flat sensor for attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. In one embodiment of the sensor, a thin layer of silver halide or thallium halide is formed by diffusion or deposition on the surface of a substrate having a lower index of refraction than the layer.

Abstract: A guide block is provided for supporting a blade within a saw, such as a band saw, the guide block being formed from a ceramic material. A ceramic material is provided in powder form initially and is pressed into a billet of compressed ceramic powder. This billet of compressed ceramic powder is machined into a desired shape for the guide block but oversized in all of its dimensions by an oversized percent similar to an amount of shrinkage experienced by that ceramic material upon firing into a final hardened state. The machined compressed powder billet forms a pre-firing guide block which is fired at sufficient temperature and for sufficient duration so that it achieves its final hardened state as a ceramic guide block having dimensions precisely matching those of a prior non-ceramic guide block being replaced. The ceramic guide block can then be substituted into the saw for use in supporting the saw blade.

Abstract: In the production of a silicon nitride sintered body through a hot press method, a sintering aid protecting agent is added to the raw material. The employable protecting agents are metallic elements such as Ta, W and Mo and compounds of the metallic elements such as nitrides and silicides. Conversion of these elements and compounds to carbides occurs preferentially to reduction of the sintering aid. Thus, it becomes possible to suppress reduction of the sintering aid in a reducing atmosphere formed, for example, of carbon monoxide, which is generated particularly when a graphite pressing die is employed.

Abstract: A method for producing electroceramic materials of high sintered density from hydroxide and/or oxalate precursors is disclosed. In this method the precursor(s) are compacted to form a preform, thermally treated, recompacted and then sintered to form finished products.

Abstract: A polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7. The material can be in the form of a dental mill blank, dental prosthesis or other dental article or non-dental article.

Abstract: The invention comprises ferroelectric vapor deposition targets and to methods of making ferroelectric vapor deposition targets. In one implementation, a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target has a predominate grain size of less than or equal to 1.0 micron, and has a density of at least 95% of maximum theoretical density. In one implementation, a method of making a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target includes positioning a prereacted ferroelectric powder within a hot press cavity. The prereacted ferroelectric powder predominately includes individual prereacted ferroelectric particles having a maximum straight linear dimension of less than or equal to about 100 nanometers. The prereacted ferroelectric powder is hot pressed within the cavity into a physical vapor deposition target of desired shape having a density of at least about 95% of maximum theoretical density and a predominate maximum grain size which is less than or equal to 1.0 micron.

Abstract: A long-lived cleaning vessel for ultrasonic cleaning is provided which is easily manufactured and is also easy to handle due to a simple structure thereof, and has excellent durability, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance. A cleaning vessel 1 of the present invention includes a layer of silicon carbide sintered body 3 which propagates ultrasonic waves. Further, a silicon carbide sintered body is provided which can be applied to components for semiconductor production apparatuses, components for electronic information equipment, and various structural components for vacuum devices and the like, and which can particularly suitably be used as an ultrasonic resonance plate or an ultrasonic diaphragm, and can be easily processed, and further which can be made thinner while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength. The silicon carbide sintered body can propagate ultrasonic waves and an acoustic velocity of ultrasonic waves propagated therethrough is 4000 to 20000 m/s.

Abstract: A thermal insulation molding having a density of 150-500 kg/m3, includes a thermal insulation material, containing 5-75% by weight of pyrogenic silica (HDK), 5%-50% by weight of electric-arc silica, 5%-50% by weight of opacifier, wherein the electric-arc silica has a bulk density of <200 kg/m3, a carbon content of <0.1% by weight, an alkali metal oxide content of <0.2% by weight, an alkaline-earth metal oxide content of <0.3% by weight, an SO3 content of <0.05% by weight and a specific surface area of >30 m2/g.

Abstract: A structure suitable for partial or full use in a spacer (24) of a flat-panel display has a porous face (54). The structure may be formed with multiple aggregates (100) of coated particles (102) bonded together in an open manner to form pores (58). A coating (88) consisting primarily of carbon and having a highly uniform thickness may extend into pores of a porous body (46). The coating can be created by removing non-carbon material from carbon-containing species provided along the pores. A solid porous film (82) whose thickness is normally no more than 20 &mgr;m has a resistivity of 108 -1014 ohm-cm. A spacer for a flat-panel display contains a support body (80) and an overlying, normally porous, layer (82) whose resistivity is greater parallel to a face of the support body than perpendicular to the body's face.

Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.

Abstract: A ceramic powder of grains having a shape-anisotropy is mixed with a calcined or uncalcined (or both) powder of a ceramic raw material. A ceramic slurry containing the produced mixed powder, a solvent and a binder is prepared and the ceramic slurry is formed into a sheet. A laminate comprising a plurality of the sheets laminated to each other is uniaxially pressed to form an oriented product in such a manner that the length of the laminate in the direction parallel to the pressing axis becomes larger than that before the pressing, and the area of a plane perpendicular to the pressing axis of the laminate becomes larger than that before the pressing. The oriented formed product is fired and sintered.

Abstract: The invention comprises ferroelectric vapor deposition targets and to methods of making ferroelectric vapor deposition targets. In one implementation, a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target has a predominate grain size of less than or equal to 1.0 micron, and has a density of at least 95% of maximum theoretical density. In one implementation, a method of making a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target includes positioning a prereacted ferroelectric powder within a hot press cavity. The prereacted ferroelectric powder predominately includes individual prereacted ferroelectric particles having a maximum straight linear dimension of less than or equal to about 100 nanometers. The prereacted ferroelectric powder is hot pressed within the cavity into a physical vapor deposition target of desired shape having a density of at least about 95% of maximum theoretical density and a predominate maximum grain size which is less than or equal to 1.0 micron.

Abstract: A hot pressing method involves the simultaneous application of high pressure (1.5-8 GPa) at a relatively low temperature (0.2-0.6 Tm) High compaction pressure causes particle deformation, such that the green density increases with pressure up to a maximum at about 8 GPa. Low sintering temperature mitigates grain growth during the consolidation process. Another factor that promotes densification is the occurrence of a pressure-induced phase transformation (typically from a metastable structure to a more stable structure), accompanied by a significant reduction in free volume for example greater than about 1 to about 2 vol. %. Such transformation-assisted consolidation has been successfully applied to produce sintered oxide and non-oxide bulk nanocrystalline ceramics having a grain size less than 100 nm, starting with even finer-scale ceramic nanopowders. Under appropriate high pressure conditions, a sintered grain size can be realized that is actually smaller than the original powder particle size.

Abstract: A cold isopressing method in which first and second layers of at least two layers are formed within an isopressing mold and the second of the layers is isostatically pressed against the first of the layers to compact the second layer. The layers can be formed from different materials, for instance granular materials or slurries. Each layer can additionally have different levels of materials. The granular materials can have pore formers to produce intermediate porous layers. Channel forming materials can be positioned between layers during isopressing. Alternatively, the first layers can be preformed by extrusion, slip casting or injection isopressing molding. One or more of the layers can have two or more regions of different ceramic materials.

Abstract: A transparent scintillator material for rapid conversion of exciting radiation, such as x-rays, to scintillating radiation. The scintillator material has a cubic garnet host, and has praseodymium as an activator. The scintillator material may be a polycrystalline ceramic material. The polycrystalline ceramic is formed by sintering a powder formed by precipitation. The scintillator material may be integrated into computed tomography (CT) equipment or other x-ray imaging equipment. The scintillator material may also be integrated into a fast response x-ray detector system.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an apatite ceramic, especially for biological use involves the preparation of a homogeneous mixture of powders to form a hydroxyapatite of formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric, possibly containing other additives or flaws, compacting the mixture under a pressure of 100 to 500 Mpa at room temperature, and subjecting it to hydrothermal treatment at low temperature (100 to 500° C.) in the presence of water and in a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A method for providing improved compaction, green density, green strength and surface finish properties in simulated stone and mineral-like materials from ceramic green bodies, based on addition of selected polymer additives during ceramic processing, is disclosed. Polymer additives having weight-average molecular weights from 30,000 to 1,000,000, glass transition temperatures from −50 to +90° C., and low hygroscopicity are particularly useful in providing enhanced properties of ceramic products involving processing of large-size granule intermediates.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing scintillator ceramic by hot pressing a powder containing at least one rare earth oxisulfide (rare earth oxisulfide powder), in order to avoid light propagation due to carbonized imperfections in the ceramic, sulfur oxyacid anions are added to the rare earth oxisulfide powder prior to hot pressing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite body consisting of a hard metal, cermet or ceramic substrate body and at least one layer of a mechanically resistant material, a ceramic substance, a diamond-like layer, amorphous carbon and/or hexagonal boron nitride. The invention also concerns a method of producing this composite body, wherein, when the green compact has been dewaxed, with its pores still open and whilst it continues to be heated as from a temperature of between 600° C. and 1100° C., it is acted upon by sublimable solids and/or reaction gases which are necessary for coating purposes. The temperature of the green compact is then further increased and the latter is fully compressed by sintering, before one or more layers of the above-mentioned type is/are applied.

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.