Abstract: The present invention relates to ferroxanes and a method of making wherein a ferroxane may be defined by the general formula [Fe(O)x(OH)y(O2CR)z]n wherein x, y and z may be any integer or fraction such that 2x+y+z=3 and n may be any integer. The ferroxanes may be doped with at least one other element other than iron. The present invention further relates to a ceramic made from the ferroxanes of the present invention and a method of making. The present invention still further relates to supported and unsupported membranes made from the ceramic of the present invention.

Abstract: A black pigment substantially free of objectionable transition metal materials is disclosed. This pigment is particularly useful for coloring glass since the absence of the transition metal gives it excellent recycling properties. The pigment is an alkaline earth (preferably strontium) iron maganese oxide material as specifically defined the in the present invention.

Abstract: The positive active material for secondary battery according to the invention comprises O, Fe in an amount of higher than 25% by weight, and V in an amount of from higher than 0% by weight to less than 35% by weight. The positive active material, when it is free of lithium, exhibits the following main peaks by the X-ray diffractometry using CuK&agr; rays: a peak within a 2&thgr; range of from greater than 26° to less than 29° and a peak within a 2&thgr; range of from greater than 29° to less than 32°. The non-aqueous secondary battery having a positive electrode comprising this positive active material exhibits a high capacity and good cycle life performance and is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating an aqueous acid halide leachant from a spent aqueous metal halide leach liquor. The process comprises introducing into a fluidized bed or spray roaster a hydrocarbon fuel, an oxygen-enriched oxidizing gas and the aqueous metal halide leach liquor; pyrohydrolyzing the aqueous metal halide leach liquor by combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel with the oxygen-enriched oxidizing gas to produce an acid halide-containing gas fraction and a metal oxide-containing solid fraction; separating the gas fraction from the solid fraction, recovering heat energy from the acid halide-containing gas fraction and absorbing the gas fraction in water to produce the aqueous acid halide leachant. The oxygen-enriched oxidizing gas has an oxygen concentration of greater than about 21 percent by volume, preferably greater than about 50 percent by volume, more preferably greater than about 80 percent by volume, and even more preferably greater than about 90 percent by volume.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of particles composed of an intimate admixture of barium or strontium ferrite and ferric oxide from a chloride solution containing barium or strontium ions and ferrous ions by a pyrohydrolysis reaction. The presence of carbon dioxide in the heated atmosphere in which pyrohydrolysis of an admixture of alkaline earth metal chloride and iron chloride is carried out has been discovered to substantially decrease the temperature required for reaction to occur.

Abstract: A process for efficiently removing titanium oxide or red oxide from an ethylene glycol solvolysis product of a polyester containing titanium oxide or red oxide. The process comprises the steps of: (1) mixing at least one calcium compound selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide with a polyester decomposition product containing titanium oxide which is an ethylene glycol solvolysis product of a polyester containing titanium oxide to agglomerate titanium oxide contained in the polyester decomposition product, or mixing titanium oxide with a polyester decomposition product containing red oxide which is an ethylene glycol solvolysis product of a polyester containing red oxide to agglomerate red oxide contained in the polyester decomposition product; and (2) subjecting the agglomerates to solid-liquid separation to remove titanium oxide or red oxide from the polyester decomposition product.

Abstract: The process for producing granular hematite particles of the present invention, comprises passing an oxygen-containing gas through an aqueous ferrous nitrate solution in the presence of iron materials and hematite seed crystals at a temperature of 80 to 90° C., thereby obtaining reddish brown precipitates containing granular hematite particles as a main component; subjecting the reddish brown precipitates to filtration, water-washing and then drying; and heat-treating the reddish brown precipitates in air at a temperature of 450 to 900° C. In accordance with the process of the present invention, the granular hematite particles exhibiting a high purity, a small equilibrium water content and a reduced oil absorption can be produced using inexpensive iron raw materials without use of a specific device such as autoclave in an industrially and economically useful manner.

Abstract: The invention allows the fabrication of small, dense, highly polished spherical beads of hexagonal ferrites with selected compositions for use in nonreciprocal microwave and mm-wave devices as well as in microwave absorbent or reflective coatings, composites, and the like. A porous, generally spherical bead of hydrous iron oxide is made by a sol-gel process to form a substantially rigid bead having a generally fine crystallite size and correspondingly finely distributed internal porosity. The resulting gel bead is washed and hydrothermally reacted with a soluble alkaline earth salt (typically Ba or Sr) under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to convert the bead into a mixed hydrous iron-alkaline earth oxide while retaining the generally spherical shape. This mixed oxide bead is then washed, dried, and calcined to produce the desired (BaFe12O19 or SrFe12O19) crystal structure.

Abstract: The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) film.

Abstract: The process for producing granular hematite particles of the present invention, comprises passing an oxygen-containing gas through an aqueous ferrous nitrate solution in the presence of iron materials and hematite seed crystals at a temperature of 80 to 90° C., thereby obtaining reddish brown precipitates containing granular hematite particles as a main component; subjecting the reddish brown precipitates to filtration, water-washing and then drying; and heat-treating the reddish brown precipitates in air at a temperature of 450 to 900° C. In accordance with the process of the present invention, the granular hematite particles exhibiting a high purity, a small equilibrium water content and a reduced oil absorption can be produced using inexpensive iron raw materials without use of a specific device such as autoclave in an industrially and economically useful manner.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of iron oxide pigments from the waste acid resulting from the preparation of titanium dioxide by the sulfate process, characterized in that in a first stage a partial neutralization of the sulfuric acid contained in the waste acid is performed with compounds from the group comprising metallic iron and/or iron compounds, the sulfuric acid is optionally further neutralized with a further alkaline compound, the precipitate containing Ti, Al, Cr and V compounds is separated from the resultant reaction product and an iron oxide yellow pigment or iron oxide black pigment is precipitated from the resultant iron sulfate-containing solution by addition of alkaline compounds as well as an oxidizing agent, each pigment being able to be baked to form an iron oxide red pigment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for preparing hydrous iron oxide spherules, hydrous iron oxide gels such as gel slabs, films, capillary and electrophoresis gels, iron monohydrogen phosphate spherules, hydrous iron oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form composite sorbents and catalysts, iron monohydrogen phosphate spherules having suspendable particles of at least one different sorbent homogeneously embedded within to form a composite sorbent, iron oxide spherules having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite of hydrous iron oxide fiber materials, iron oxide fiber materials, hydrous iron oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, iron oxide fiber materials having suspendable particles homogeneously embedded within to form a composite, dielectric spherules of barium, strontium, and lead ferrites and mixtures thereof, and composite catalytic spherules of barium or s

Abstract: A process for producing chlorine and iron oxide from iron chloride (which may be generated as a by-product of the direct chlorination of titaniferous ores) comprises the steps of converting ferrous chloride to ferric chloride by reaction with chlorine, separating the solids from the gaseous products, reacting the gaseous ferric chloride with oxygen, condensing unreacted ferric chloride onto iron oxide particles, separating the gaseous products from the iron oxide particles and recycling the iron oxide particles to the oxidation or condensation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing iron oxide red pigments containing the step of forming a suspension of haematite nuclei by reaction between dilute nitric acid and elemental iron above 90° C. and to pigments of pure color and their use.

Abstract: The invention allows the fabrication of small, dense, highly polished spherical beads of hexagonal ferrites with selected compositions for use in nonreciprocal microwave and mm-wave devices as well as in microwave absorbent or reflective coatings, composites, and the like. A porous, generally spherical bead of hydrous iron oxide is made by a sol-gel process to form a substantially rigid bead having a generally fine crystallite size and correspondingly finely distributed internal porosity. The resulting gel bead is washed and hydrothermally reacted with a soluble alkaline earth salt (typically Ba or Sr) under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to convert the bead into a mixed hydrous iron-alkaline earth oxide while retaining the generally spherical shape. This mixed oxide bead is then washed, dried, and calcined to produce the desired (BaFe12O19 or SrFe12O19) crystal structure.

Abstract: A process for adjusting a circulating fluidized bed, wherein a part of the carrier gas is recovered, mixed with a propellant and returned to the fluidized bed as a carrier gas.

Abstract: A composite metal material of formula (I) are stable and not deteriorated for a long time and have excellent activities in photolyzing water with visible light: x(A)y(B)z(C)-p(P)n(N)  (I) wherein, (A) is Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 or Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3, (B) is PbTiO3, (C) is LiTaO3, (P) is a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Au, Ag, Pd and Rh, (N) is an oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe, Sr, Sc, Ru, Cu and Cd, x is a number in the range of 0.65 to 0.98, y is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.34, z is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.1, and p and n are each independently a number in the range of 0.01 to 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an aluminum-containing iron oxide nucleus with an &agr;-FeOOH crystal structure from FeCl2. This nucleus is a suitable starting material for the preparation of iron oxide yellow and for use as a yellow coloring pigment.

Abstract: A new method for combining elemental iron and other metals to form an inexpensive ceramic to stabilize arsenic, alkaline red mud wastes, swarfs, and other iron or metal-based additives, to create products and waste forms which can be poured or dye cast.

Abstract: The present invention provides particles for a non-magnetic undercoat layer of a magnetic recording medium, which comprises acicular hematite particles having an average major axial diameter of not more than 0.3 &mgr;m, a geometrical standard deviation in the major axial diameter of not more than 1.50 and a BET specific surface area of not less than 40 m2/g, and containing a total amount of sodium of not more than 50 ppm calculated as Na. The acicular hematite particles have an excellent dispersibility in a vehicle so that a non-magnetic undercoat layer containing the particles is excellent in surface smoothness and strength. A magnetic recording medium using the non-magnetic undercoat layer is excellent not only in electromagnetic performance, but in storage stability.

Abstract: Spindle-shaped hematite particles obtained form the spindle-shaped goethite particles, can be prevented as highly as possible from causing destruction of particle shape when subjected to a heat-reduction step for producing magnetic spindle-shaped metal particles and magnetic spindle-shaped metal particles containing iron as a main component produced from the spindle-shaped goethite particles or the spindle-shaped hematite particles as a starting material, exhibit a high coercive force, an excellent particle coercive force distribution, a large saturation magnetization and an excellent oxidation stability, and are excellent in a squareness (Br/Bm) of the sheet due to a good dispersibility in a binder resin.

Abstract: Spindle-shaped goethite particles of the present invention contain Co of 8 to 45 atm %, calculated as Co, based on whole Fe, Al of 5 to 20 atm %, calculated as Al, based on whole Fe, and have an average major axial diameter of 0.05 to 0.18 &mgr;m, each of said spindle-shaped goethite particles comprising a seed portion and a surface layer portion, the weight ratio of said seed portion to said surface layer portion being 30:70 to 80:20 and the relationship of the Co concentration of the seed portion with that of the hematite particle being 50 to 95:100 when the Co concentration of the hematite particle is 100, and said Al existing in said surface layer portion. Such spindle-shaped goethite particles are fine particles and exhibit a good particle size distribution.

Abstract: A process for the production of a black iron oxide pigment from Fe2O3 hematite iron oxide which may be an impure oxide produced by the “Ruthner” process or by other means, or which may be a mineral hematite. The process may be used to upgrade poor quality synthetic or natural hematite, or to improve their performance as red pigments, by conversion to black pigment with subsequent oxidation of the magnetite so produced back to hematite. The process uses a low temperature aqueous slurry reaction in which the hematite is contacted with a soluble source of Fe(II) ions in the presence of a soluble source of Fe(III) ions in an aqueous alkaline medium to convert the same to Fe3O4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering the chlorine value from a particulate feed stream of metal chlorides wherein the total energy and reactant mass flow are managed to minimize the build up of deposits of solids on the reactor walls and maximize the conversion of the metal chlorides to metal oxides and chlorine.

Abstract: A fine red iron oxide pigment of the present invention comprises hematite particles and having a geometrical standard deviation of major axial diameter of not more than 1.5, a geometrical standard deviation of minor axial diameter of not more than 1.3 and an average major axial diameter of 0.005 to 0.1 &mgr;m. Such fine red iron oxide pigment is uniform in both major axial diameter and minor axial diameter thereof and exhibits an excellent transparency.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for regenerating spent acid liquor includes a primary roasting furnace for evaporating a substantial portion of the liquid from the spent acid to produce acid vapors and partially roasted metal salts. The partially roasted metal salts are transferred to a secondary roasting chamber where the acids adhering to the surface of the metal salts is vaporized and the metal salts are oxidized. The acid vapors from the primary roasting furnace are then transferred to an absorption column to regenerate the acid. The primary roasting furnace is operated at a different temperature from the secondary roasting chamber and has different retention times for the metal salts. The secondary roasting chamber includes a raking device to mix and convey the metal salts during the secondary roasting step to produce a uniformly roasted metal oxide.

Abstract: A new, cost effective process for the production of ultrafine particles which is based on mechanically activated chemical reaction of a metal compound with a suitable reagent. The process involves subjecting a mixture of a metal compound and a suitable reagent to mechanical activation to increase the chemical reactivity of the reactants and/or reaction kinetics such that a chemical reaction can occur which produces a solid nano-phase substance. Concomitantly, a by-product phase is also formed. This by-product phase is removed so that the solid nano-phase substance is left behind in the form of ultrafine particles. During mechanical activation a composite structure is formed which consists of an intimate mixture of nano-sized grains of the nano-phase substance and the reaction by-product phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to iron oxide red pigments, a process for the production of iron oxide red pigments by calcining iron oxide yellow pigments or iron oxide black pigments, and the use thereof.

Abstract: A process for oxidation of ferrous ions in solution, and more particularly a process for improved base metal and/or uranium leaching from ores, concentrates or tailings using ferric ion as an oxidizing agent. A reaction vessel (10) holds a ferrous ion-containing solution, for example, a copper sulphide leach slurry or concentrate. An agitator (12) may be provided to promote leaching of the base metal into solution. Some of the ferrous ion-containing solution is drawn off from the reaction vessel (10) and pumped through an in-line mixer (14) via a feed pump (16). Oxygen is injected into the reactor (14) to facilitate oxidation of the ferrous sulphate to form ferric sulphate. The ferric ion-containing solution is then recirculated back to the reaction vessel (10) where the ferric ions are reused in the dissolution of copper sulphide into soluble copper sulphate.

Abstract: Method of preparing colored roofing granules (18) from granulated mineral-containing matter having an elemental iron content of about 15% to about 70% is disclosed. The method comprises heating the granules (18) to a temperature of from about 450.degree. C. to about 1,000.degree. C. and maintaining the temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect a color change in the granules. The resulting oxidized granules are permanently colored and will not fade in use.

Abstract: Acicular hematite particles of the present invention contain zirconium of 0.05 to 30% by weight (calculated as Zr) based on the total weight of the particles, which is present within the particle, which have an average major axis diameter of not more than 0.3 .mu.m and a pH value of not less than 8, and contain not more than 300 ppm of soluble sodium salt, calculated as Na and not more than 150 ppm of soluble sulfate, calculated as SO.sub.4.Such acicular hematite particles are suitable as non-magnetic particles for a non-magnetic undercoat layer of a magnetic recording medium which exhibits a low light transmittance, an excellent smooth surface, a high strength and an excellent durability, and can be prevented from being deteriorated in magnetic properties due to the corrosion of magnetic acicular metal particles containing iron as a main component which are dispersed in a magnetic recording layer thereof.

Abstract: A fine yellow composite iron oxide hydroxide pigment of the present invention has an average major axial diameter of not less than 0.005 .mu.m and less than 0.1 .mu.m, which comprises:fine goethite particles as core particles, containing aluminum inside thereof in an amount of 0.05 to 50% by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of said core particles; anda composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al, coated on the surface of each core particle. Such fine yellow composite iron oxide hydroxide pigment are excellent in transparency and heat resistance.

Abstract: Acicular hematite particles of the present invention comprise a geometrical standard deviation of major axis diameter of not more than 1.50, a geometrical standard deviation of minor axis diameter of not more than 1.35, a BET specific surface area of 35.9 to 150 m.sup.2 /g and an average major axis diameter of 0.004 to 0.295 .mu.m. Such acicular hematite particles are suitable as non-magnetic particles for a non-magnetic undercoat layer of a magnetic recording medium having a low light transmittance, an excellent smooth surface, a high mechanical strength and an excellent durability.

Abstract: Heated iron oxide particles are combined with membrane filtration to remove contaminants from water. The use of the heated particles reduces fouling of the membrane typically encountered when membranes alone are used to remove contaminants from water. The heated particles of iron oxide are regenerable and can be reconditioned to revive their adsorption capacity. The heated particles can be added to the stream of contaminant containing water upstream of the membrane.

Abstract: Pelletized adsorbent compositions and methods of adsorbing toxic target compounds are provided for the destructive adsorption or chemisorption of toxic or undesired compounds. The pelletized adsorbents are formed by pressing together powder nanocrystalline particles comprising a metal hydroxide or a metal oxide at pressures of from about 50 psi to about 6000 psi to form discrete self-sustaining bodies. The pelletized bodies should retain at least about 25% of the surface area/unit mass and total pore volume of the starting metal particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of synthetic (synthetically produced) iron raw materials to prepare iron oxide pigments in the Penniman process and other iron-dissolution processes.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shielding material is formed from a shielding composition made with magnetic particles and a binder, where the magnetic particles have an average diameter less than about 1000 nm and are substantially crystalline. The magnetic particles can be formed from Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, Fe.sub.3 C, or Fe.sub.7 C.sub.3. The shielding composition can be formed into a layer or into composite particles. The binder can be a metal or an electrically conducting polymer. A conducting layer can be placed adjacent to the shielding composition. The shielding material can be used to protect sensitive electronic devices. Methods are described for forming iron oxide particles by laser pyrolysis.

Abstract: Monolithic metal oxide structures, and processes for making such structures, are disclosed. The structures are obtained by heating a metal-containing structure having a plurality of surfaces in close proximity to one another in an oxidative atmosphere at a temperature below the melting point of the metal while maintaining the close proximity of the metal surfaces. Exemplary structures of the invention include open-celled and closed-cell monolithic metal oxide structures comprising a plurality of adjacent bonded corrugated and/or flat layers, and metal oxide filters obtained from a plurality of metal filaments oxidized in close proximity to one another.

Abstract: The disclosure describes plastic formed products comprising:one selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin; and0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one selected from the group consisting of ferric oxide hydroxide particles, hematite particles, magnetite particles and maghemite particles;wherein (1) the average major axial diameter or the plate diameter of said ferric oxide hydroxide particles is 0.02 or 2.0 .mu.m and the average aspect ratio or the plate ratio thereof is 2 to 20, (2) the average particle size of said hematite particles, magnetite particles and maghemite particles is 0.01 to 1.0, the BET specific surface area thereof is 1 to 120 m.sup.2 /g and the water content on the surfaces thereof is not less than 0.02 wt %/m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for producing a commercially usable iron oxide material by treating iron contaminated water. A clean effluent is also produced. Iron contaminated water is sampled to determine a bicarbonate to iron molar ratio. The flow of the water is directed to a collection basin assembly when the bicarbonate to iron molar ratio is at least 2 to 1. Iron oxide material precipitates in the collection basin assembly. The water from the collection basin assembly is directed to a constructed wetland. After a period of time, the iron oxide material in the collection basin assembly can be harvested and used for commercial purposes without excessive further treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iron oxide yellow pigments by the process of precipitation from iron(II) chloride and from an alkaline component as well as the use thereof.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of iron oxides having low chloride ion content comprising charging of a free HCl containing iron chloride solution into a spray roaster with a feeding device and a spray boom for charging the iron chloride containing solution into a reaction chamber heated by combustion gases thermally decomposing the solution into iron oxide, HCl gas and reaction gases a discharging device for the iron oxide and a cooling zone between the burner's focal plane and the discharging device cooling of iron oxide granules to temperatures at less than 450.degree. C. reducing the concentration of HCl gas to less than 10 volume percent charging the layer of iron oxide granules onto a conveyor plate charged with hot steam and feeding the exhaust gases into the central combustion duct of the spray roaster. The resulting iron oxide has a residual chloride ion content of less than 500 ppm Cl.sup.- and a specific surface area in excess of 3.5 m.sup.3 /g.

Abstract: In a process for producing hydrated iron oxide which comprises the steps of adding an aqueous alkali solution to an aqueous solution of a ferrous salt in an amount no more than a neutralizing equivalent amount with respect to said ferrous salt, oxidizing the resulting ferrous hydroxide containing suspension to produce the seed crystals of hydrated iron oxide and subsequently supplying an additional amount of alkali and oxidizing the hydrated iron oxide to grow, sulfurous acid or a sulfite is added to either the aqueous ferrous salt solution or the aqueous alkali solution or the suspension containing ferrous hydroxide before the oxidation of ferrous hydroxide starts. The resulting hydrated iron oxide may be used as a raw material to produce berthollide, maghemite or a cobalt-doped ferromagnetic iron oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of yellow, highly transparent iron oxide pigments of elevated chemical purity, to yellow iron oxide pigments obtainable in this manner and to the use thereof to color lacquers and plastics.

Abstract: The invention relates to very highly transparent iron oxide pigments with high color saturation, to a process for their production and to their use for pigmenting paints and plastics.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oxide (P), which includes the steps of (i) forming a solid phase compound (O) based on an oxide containing molecular entities (1) chosen from optionally substituted ammonium, diammonium, diazan-ium or diazandium, the entities being distributed within the solid matrix, and (ii) eliminating the entities (1) from the solid phase compound (O) by reacting the solid phase compound (O) with a gaseous stream containing a break-down reactant for the entities (1), and isolating the resulting solid material (P).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of iron oxide brown, red and black pigments and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of synthetic (synthetically produced) iron raw materials to prepare iron oxide pigments in the Penniman process and other iron-dissolution processes.

Abstract: A method of contrast enhanced ultrasonic diagnostic imaging comprising administering to a subject a contrast enhancing amount of spheres or particles comprising a matrix enclosing a contrast agent which reflects sound waves, said matrix being a biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic, non-polyamino acid polymer; and generating an ultrasonic image of said subject.

Abstract: A thin-walled monolithic iron oxide structure, and process for making such a structure, is disclosed. The structure comprises a monolithic iron oxide structure obtained from oxidizing a thin-walled iron-containing, preferably plain steel, structure at a temperature below the melting point of iron. The preferred wall thickness of the steel is less than about 0.3 mm. The preferred iron oxides of the invention are hematite, magnetite, and combinations thereof. The thin-walled structures of the invention have substantially the same physical shape as the iron starting structure. Thin-walled iron-oxide structures of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, including gas and liquid flow dividers, corrosion resistant components of automotive exhaust systems, catalytic supports, filters, thermal insulating materials, and sound insulating materials.