Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide piezoelectric ceramic materials having far better strain characteristics than that of conventional piezoelectric ceramics, as well as a novel method for producing such piezoelectric ceramics, and the present invention involves solid solution piezoelectric ceramics primarily comprising the complex perovskite compound Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔)O3, the simple perovskite compound PbTiO3, and PbZrO3, wherein the aforementioned ceramics primarily comprise compositions within a triangle in which the compositional vertices are (X=52, Y=34, Z=14), (X=49, Y=37, Z=14), and (X=49, Y=34, Z=17), where Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔)O3 is X mol %, PbTiO3 is Y mol %, and PbZrO3 is Z mol % (X+Y+Z=100) among the triangular coordinates in the phase diagram in which the vertices are Pb(Ni⅓Nb⅔) O3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3, as well as a method for producing such solid solution ceramics.

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 ceramic molded body obtained by molding a raw material powder having a mean grain size of about 1 &mgr;m or less and a BET specific surface area of about 5 m2/g or more is fired in an atmosphere of about 95% or higher oxygen concentration at a temperature higher than an ordinary firing temperature for a time shorter than an ordinary time, whereby the sintering can be completed in a short time.

Abstract: Provided is an aluminum nitride sintered body excellent in thermal shock resistance and strength and applicable to a radiating substrate for a power module or a jig for semiconductor equipment employed under a strict heat cycle. An aluminum nitride sintered body obtained with a sintering aid of a rare earth element and an alkaline earth metal element contains 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of an alkaline earth metal element compound in terms of an oxide and 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a rare earth element compound in terms of an oxide, and the amount of carbon remaining in the sintered body is controlled to 0.005 to 0.1 percent by weight, thereby suppressing grain growth and improving thermal shock resistance and strength of the sintered body.

Abstract: There are provided methods and compositions for co-fired multilayer piezoelectric ceramic materials with base metal electrodes. The method of the invention is performed at low firing temperatures and without the oxidation of base metal or reduction of ceramic components. A variety of ceramic materials may be used and copper is the preferred base metal in the multi-layer piezoelectric devices of the invention.

Abstract: Porous metal-containing materials are provided for a variety of uses including filters, electrodes for batteries and fuel cells, light weight structural materials, heat exchangers and catalysts. A method is provided for making the porous metal-containing materials involving vapor phase sintering of a metal oxide green form followed by reduction to form a porous metal-containing material, typically without any significant shrinkage of the sample occurring during processing. The porous metal-containing materials may have porosities of from about 40 percent to as high as 90% in some embodiments. Furthermore, the pore volume is highly interconnected, which is particularly advantageous for many applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for the production of a sintered body consisting of an intimate solid solution of Cr2O3 and Al2O3 by using inexpensive materials, as well as sintered bodies produced thereby. More specifically, it relates to processes for the production of a sintered body which comprises the steps of providing a powder mixture consisting essentially of Cr2O3 powder and Al2O3 powder each having an average particle diameter of not greater than 0.5 &mgr;m, or a powder mixture obtained by mixing the aforesaid powder mixture with 1.5 to 15% by weight of TiO2 powder having an average particle diameter of not greater than 0.5 &mgr;m, and sintering the powder mixture at a temperature of 1,350 to 1,600° C. in a vacuum atmosphere of 10−20 to 10−5 atm. to yield a sintered body consisting of an intimate solid solution of Cr2O3 and Al2O3 and having a relative density of not less than 95%, as well as sintered bodies produced thereby.

Abstract: A method for making a BaTiO3-based dielectric having a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss wherein, a BaTiO3-based body is subjected to a pre-heat treatment in a hydrogen (H2) atmosphere or a reducing atmosphere containing mixed gas of hydrogen and nitrogen in a ratio of hydrogen:nitrogen=5 to 100%:0 to 95% prior to a sintering process in the manufacture of dielectrics, in order to obtain a reduced average grain size of BaTiO3. By virtue of the reducing average grain size of BaTiO3, a BaTiO3-based dielectric having a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss is obtained.

Abstract: The application discloses a number of unique sintered quartz glass products together with new silica compositions and processes for making and using such products. Nitrided clear and opaque nitrided quartz products are disclosed having incredible physical properties resulting from the incorporation of very small, but effective, amounts (e.g., 25 ppm or more) of chemically bound nitrogen. Opaque quartz glass heat shields with remarkable resistance to transmission of infrared radiation are disclosed which can have a high bubble population density, such as 80 to 120 per mm2. These heat shields make possible remarkable improvement in the performance of tube furnaces and other reactors used in processing silicon wafers and other electronic components.

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 non-reducing dielectric ceramic contains Ca, Zr and Ti as metallic elements and does not contain Pb. In a CuK&agr; X-ray diffraction pattern, the ratio of the maximum peak intensity of secondary crystal phases to the maximum peak intensity at 2&thgr;=25° to 35° of a perovskite primary crystal phase is about 12% or less, the secondary crystal phases including all the crystal phases other than the perovskite primary crystal phase. The non-reducing dielectric ceramic exhibits superior insulating resistance and dielectric loss after firing in a neutral or reducing atmosphere and high reliability in a high-temperature loading lifetime test and is useful for producing compact high-capacitance monolithic ceramic capacitors.

Abstract: A method for producing a translucent alumina sintered body comprising the steps of: forming a raw material powder, and sintering the formed product under the condition of hydrogen atmosphere from atmospheric pressure to vacuum at a temperature of from 1600 to 1900° C., wherein the raw material powder is a mixed powder comprising an &agr;-alumina powder (1) which comprises a polyhedral primary particle having substantially no fractured surface, has a BET specific surface area of 1 to 7 m2/g, and has a purity of 99.99% or more, an alumina powder (2) having a BET specific surface area of 5 to 200 m2/g in an amount of 10% by weight or less based on said &agr;-alumina powder, and a sintering agent, and satisfies the following formula: (BET specific surface area of alumina powder (2))−(BET specific surface area of &agr;-alumina powder (1))>2 m2/g.

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: Improved method of sintering for the manufacture of nuclear fuel comprising a fissionable ceramic material including a silica containing additive. The method includes controlling the sintering atmosphere to impede loss through vaporization of the silica.

Abstract: An indium oxide/tin oxide powder with 5-15 wt. % tin oxide is subjected to an annealing treatment at T≧1, 000° C. and is then partially reduced and subjected to hot isostatic pressing to produce a sputtering target with a density of at least 95% of the theoretical density and a thermal conductivity of at least 14 Wm−1K−1.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a conductive sintered body based on silicon carbide, in which a) silicon carbide particles, optionally pretreated with a surface modifier, are dispersed in an aqueous and/or organic medium and positive or negative surface charges are generated on the silicon carbide particles by adjustment of the pH of the dispersion obtained; b) carbon black and boron carbide are mixed in as sintering aids, where at least the carbon black particles have a surface charge opposite to the surface charge of the silicon carbide particles and the boron carbide can also be added, completely or in part, at a later point in time (stage c′)); c) the slip thus obtained is shaped directly to form a green body or c′) a sinterable powder is isolated from the slip obtained and is shaped to form a green body, where the above boron carbide can also be added to this sinterable powder; and d) the green body obtained is subjected to pressureless sintering to form a sintered body in essential

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to realize the piezoelectric ceramics which, even when used as high frequency elements utilizing third harmonics wave of thickness longitudinal vibration, are small in temperature coefficient of resonant frequency and high in mechanical Q value and easy to correspond to the trend toward miniaturization and low voltage driving. When the piezoelectric ceramics with lead titanate as its main component are manufactured in order to achieve this object, it was decided that the piezoelectric ceramics be manufactured by the manufacturing method, wherein a heat treatment is performed between a firing process and a polarization process in the atmosphere of oxygen partial pressure less than the oxygen partial pressure of the atmospheric pressure at temperatures more than 500.degree. C. and not more than the firing temperatures.

Abstract: A sintered ITO compact is provided which is capable of retarding nodule formation, or particle generation. The sintered ITO compact is composed of In, Sn, and O, and has avelage length of void size of not larger than 0.7 .mu.m. This sintered ITO compact is produced by sintering, substantially in an oxygen atmosphere, a green compact formed from a mixed powder of indium oxide power and tin oxide powder, the mixed powder containing the tin oxide powder at a content ranging from 5% to 15%, and the tin oxide powder having particles of a particle size of not more than 1 .mu.m constituting not less than 90% portion thereof; or produced by sintering, in an oxygen atmosphere, a green compact formed from a mixed powder of indium oxide powder and tin oxide powder, the mixed powder having a tap density of not less than 1.8 g/cm.sup.3, and the tin oxide powder having a maximum particle size of not larger than 1 .mu.m and a median diameter of not larger than 0.4 .mu.m.

Abstract: A number of unique processes are disclosed for manufacture of sintered high-purity quartz glass products in which a shaped silica body or preform is made from an aqueous slurry of micronized silica particles by gel casting, slip casting or electrophoretic deposition. The silica particles may comprise a major portion by weight of crystalline silica. In one embodiment of the invention the sintered quartz glass is transparent, substantially bubble-free and suitable for scientific or optical uses. In another embodiment the porous silica preform is fired in steam to increase the hydroxyl content and then nitrided in a nitrogen-hydrogen reducing atmosphere. A minute amount of chemically-combined nitrogen in the high-purity quartz glass is sufficient to provide a tremendous improvement in physical properties and an incredible increase in the resistance to devitrification.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monolithic ceramic electronic device includes the following steps: forming a first metal film on a PET film; forming a multilayered metal film by forming a second metal film on a part of the first metal film, the second metal film being thicker than the first metal film; forming a monolithic ceramic structure including the multilayered metal film; forming the first metal film, which is partially overlain by the second metal film in the monolithic ceramic structure, into an insulating structure in such a manner that metal components forming the first metal film are diffused into the ceramics; and firing the ceramics. Disclosed also is a monolithic ceramic electronic device manufactured by the method.

Abstract: A method for producing ceramic dielectrics containing a water soluble metal acid or salt includes making a mixture by kneading a water soluble metal acid or salt, particulates, sintering auxiliaries and water, mixing the mixture with a binder and plasticizer to form a slurry, and forming a sheet from the slurry by drying and sintering.

Abstract: The invention provides spacers for separating and supporting a faceplate structure and a backplate structure in a flat panel display, and methods for fabricating these spacers. Each spacer is typically made of ceramic, such as alumina, containing transition metal oxide, such as titania, chromia or iron oxide. Each spacer can be fabricated with an electrically insulating core and electrically resistive skins. The insulating core can be a wafer formed of ceramic such as alumina, and the resistive skins can be formed by laminating electrically resistive wafers, formed from alumina containing transition metal oxide, to the outside surfaces of the insulating core. Each spacer can also have a core of electrically insulating ceramic composition made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in its higher oxide states, and electrically resistive outside surfaces made of a ceramic containing a transition metal oxide in lower oxide states.

Abstract: A process for the production of dense polycrystalline silicon carbide shaped articles, includes the steps: (a) heating a powder compact containing silicon carbide and alumina or a precursor thereof together with a secondary sintering assist, to an intermediate temperature for an extended dwell, and then (b) heating the product of step (a) to a higher temperature for sufficient time to produce a dense polycrystalline silicon carbide product. The secondary sintering assist includes one or more rare earths or their precursors, for example scandia, yttria or dysprosia.

Abstract: A process for the production of dense polycrystalline silicon carbide shaped articles; includes (a) heating a powder compact containing silicon carbide and alumina or a precursor thereof to an intermediate temperature, and maintaining the said intermediate temperature for an extended dwell, and then (b) heating the product of step (a) to a higher temperature for sufficient time to produce a dense polycrystalline silicon carbide product.

Abstract: A sintered ITO compact having an ultra-high density of at least 7.08 g/cm.sup.3 is produced by a process wherein an aqueous slurry comprised of indium oxide, tin oxide, a binder, a dispersant and an aqueous medium is cast in a mold, and the thus-obtained cast green body is sintered. The aqueous slurry used is prepared by the steps of:dispersing uniformly a tin oxide powder and a dispersant in an aqueous medium to give an aqueous slurry;allowing the aqueous slurry to stand whereby coarse particles of tin oxide are sedimented;separating by decantation an upper liquid layer of the aqueous slurry containing finely divided particles of tin oxide (preferably, the secondary particle sizes of which are not larger than 4 .mu.m) and the dispersant from a lower liquid layer containing the sedimented coarse particles; and then,incorporating an indium oxide powder and a binder in the separated upper liquid layer containing finely divided tin oxide particles and the dispersant to give an aqueous slurry.