Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a powder containing zirconia particles and a fluorescent agent that enables easy production of a zirconia sintered body having both high translucency and high strength despite containing a fluorescent agent. The present invention relates to a method for producing a zirconia particle- and fluorescent agent-containing powder, comprising: a mixing step of mixing a zirconia particle-containing slurry and a liquid-state fluorescent agent; and a drying step of drying the slurry containing the zirconia particles and the fluorescent agent. Preferably, the fluorescent agent comprises a metallic element, and the powder comprises the fluorescent agent in an amount of 0.001 to 1 mass % in terms of an oxide of the metallic element relative to a mass of zirconia. Preferably, the zirconia particles have an average primary particle diameter of 30 nm or less. Preferably, the zirconia particles comprises 2.0 to 9.0 mol % yttria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a zirconia particle-containing powder that enables easy production of a zirconia sintered body having both high translucency and high strength. The present invention relates to a method for producing a zirconia particle-containing powder, comprising a drying step of spray drying a slurry containing zirconia particles, wherein the zirconia particles have an average primary particle diameter of 30 nm or less, and the slurry comprises a dispersion medium containing a liquid having a surface tension at 25° C. of 50 mN/m or less. Preferably, the zirconia particles comprise 2.0 to 9.0 mol % yttria. Preferably, wherein the content of the liquid in the dispersion medium is 50 mass % or more.

Abstract: A negative thermal expansion material made of zirconium phosphate tungstate containing an Al atom, and having a thermal expansion coefficient of ?2.0×10?6 to ?3.3×10?6/K. According to the present invention, a negative thermal expansion material made of zirconium phosphate tungstate having various thermal expansion coefficients, and an industrially advantageous manufacturing method thereof can be provided.

Abstract: An engineered ceramic matrix is provided to blunt and self-heal matrix cracks to reduce oxygen ingress into a fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: A mechanical bearing contains a first component and a further component, wherein the mechanical bearing is designed such that the first component and the further component are able to execute a bearing movement relative to each other, wherein the first component or the further component contains a cermet or both contain a cermet. The invention further relates to an implantable medical device containing the mechanical bearing, in particular to a blood pump, and also to a use of a cermet for producing a mechanical bearing, and to a use of the mechanical bearing for supporting a component of an implantable medical device.

Abstract: A component includes a body including zircon (ZrSiO4) grains, the body having a free silica intergranular phase present between the zircon grains and distributed substantially uniformly through the body. The body comprises a content of free silica not greater than about 2 wt. % for the total weight of the body.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pulverulent compound of the formula NiaM1bM2cOx(OH)y where M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Zn, Cu and mixtures thereof, M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, B, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Si and mixtures thereof, 0.3?a?0.83, 0.1?b?0.5, 0.01?c?0.5, 0.01?x?0.99 and 1.01?y?1.99, wherein the ratio of tapped density measured in accordance with ASTM B 527 to the D50 of the particle size distribution measured in accordance with ASTM B 822 is at least 0.2 g/cm3·?m. The invention is also directed to a method for the production of the pulverulent compound and the use as a precursor material for producing lithium compounds for use in lithium secondary batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a high-strength zirconia sintered body in which the progression of low-temperature degradation is inhibited. The zirconia sintered body contains partially-stabilized zirconia as a matrix phase and contains at least one element from among phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi). The content of the abovementioned element(s) in the zirconia sintered body ranges from 4×10?4 mol to 4×10?2 mol with respect to 1 mol of zirconium(IV) oxide. Preferably, the zirconia sintered body further contains 0.03% to 3% by mass of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: A thermal spray powder of the present invention contains a rare earth element and a group 2 element, which belongs to group 2 of the periodic table. The thermal spray powder, which contains a rare earth element and a group 2 element, is formed, for example, from a mixture of a rare earth element compound and a group 2 element compound or from a compound or solid solution containing a rare earth element and a group 2 element. The thermal spray powder may further contain a diluent element that is not a rare earth element or a group 2 element and is not oxygen, which is at least one element selected, for example, from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, zinc, boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, germanium, and phosphorus.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided comprising a substrate and a epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises B; and one or more element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Al and has a thickness greater than 50 nm. Further, methods for integrating Group III nitrides onto a substrate comprising, forming an epitaxial buffer layer of a diboride of Zr, Hf, Al, or mixtures thereof, over a substrate; and forming a Group III nitride layer over the buffer layer, are provided which serve to thermally decouple the buffer layer from the underlying substrate, thereby greatly reducing the strain induced in the semiconductor structures upon fabrication and/or operation.

Abstract: A glass ceramic composition includes a SrZrO3 ceramic, a Li2O—MgO—ZnO—B2O3—SiO2-based glass, Mg2SiO4 in an amount of about 5 to 40 weight percent, and a SrTiO3 ceramic in an amount in the range of about 0 to about 6 weight percent of the total. The Li2O—MgO—ZnO—B2O3—SiO2-based glass accounts for about 1 to about 12 weight percent of the total.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrophobic catalyst layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell to which hydrophobicity is imparted so that the dissipation property of produced water is improved and which simultaneously has an increased effective surface area and an increased utilization ratio of a catalyst, and a method of producing the same. The catalyst layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a catalyst obtained by reducing a platinum oxide, a hydrophobic agent, and a proton conductive electrolyte, wherein the hydrophobic agent is mainly composed of alkylsiloxane. An Si compound containing a hydrophobic substituent is brought into contact with a platinum oxide to subject the Si compound to hydrolysis and a polymerization reaction by the catalytic action of the platinum oxide, and then it is reduced, thereby obtaining a hydrophobic catalyst layer carrying an alkylsiloxane polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of modifying synthetic garnets used in RF applications to reduce or eliminate Yttrium or other rare earth metals in the garnets without adversely affecting the magnetic properties of the material. Some embodiments include substituting Bismuth for some of the Yttrium on the dodecahedral sites and introducing one or more high valency ions to the octahedral and tetrahedral sites. Calcium may also be added to the dodecahedral sites for valency compensation induced by the high valency ions, which could effectively displace all or most of the Yttrium (Y) in microwave device garnets. The modified synthetic garnets with substituted Yttrium (Y) can be used in various microwave magnetic devices such as circulators, isolators and resonators.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for easily producing a hexagonal zirconium phosphate powder having excellent dispersibility and a specific particle size distribution by the use as a starting material of a zirconium carbonate powder for which a specific particle size is easily obtainable. A hexagonal zirconium phosphate powder having a specific particle size distribution and high crystallinity can be produced by making zirconium carbonate be present in an aqueous solution containing phosphate ion and at least one of ion selected from an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, and ammonium ion, aging by a wet method, and then heating under dry conditions.

Abstract: Ceramic coatings for a component that is subjected to high temperatures, especially for a turbine blade are provided. The ceramic coatings contain one or more compounds that are selected from alkaline earth silicates, ZrV2O7 and Mg3(VO4)2. A layer system including at least one coating of the ceramic coating is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a glass ceramic composition which can be fired at a temperature of 1000° C. or lower, and a sintered body of which has a low relative permittivity and a high Q value, stable temperature characteristic and high reliability, and is excellent in plating solution resistance. The glass ceramic composition provides a low dielectric constant layer for inclusion in a laminate glass ceramic substrate in a ceramic multilayer module. It includes a first ceramic having forsterite as the main constituent, a second ceramic having at least one of SrTiO3 and TiO2 as the main constituent, a third ceramic having BaZrO3 as the main constituent, a fourth ceramic having at least one of ZrO2 and MnO as the main constituent, and 3 weight % or more of a borosilicate glass containing Li2O, MgO, B2O3, SiO2 and ZnO, which further contains an additive constituent including at least one of CaO and SrO.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided comprising a substrate and a epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises B; and one or more element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Al and has a thickness greater than 50 nm. Further, methods for integrating Group III nitrides onto a substrate comprising, forming an epitaxial buffer layer of a diboride of Zr, Hf, Al, or mixtures thereof, over a substrate; and forming a Group III nitride layer over the buffer layer, are provided which serve to thermally decouple the buffer layer from the underlying substrate, thereby greatly reducing the strain induced in the semiconductor structures upon fabrication and/or operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder compound of the formula NiaMbOx(OH)y, wherein M represents Co and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Zn, Al, Sr, Mg, or Ca and mixtures thereof, or M represents Co Mn and Fe, wherein 0.6?a<1.0, 0<b?0.4, 0<x?0.60, and 1.4?y<2, wherein the powder compound has a particle size distribution d50 value, measured in accordance with ASTM B 822, of <5 ?m, and wherein a ratio of tap density, measured in accordance with ASTM B 527, to the particle size distribution d50 value is at least 0.4 g/cm3. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the compound and its uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions based on ZrO2, and single- and multi-coloured blanks made from oxide ceramics, and a process for their preparation, in which a) oxide ceramic powder is coated with a colouring substance, b) the coated powders are preferably graded and at least one coloured powder is filled into a compression mould, c) the coloured powder or powders are compressed to produce a shaped body, and d) the compressed shaped body is sintered to produce a blank, and to the use of these blanks for the preparation of dental restorations.

Abstract: An article which includes a structure of a ceramic material that has a composition SiOxMzCy, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen, M is at least one metal and C is carbon and wherein x<2, y>0 and z<1 and x and z are non-zero.

Abstract: A powder including, in percentages by weight: (a) 94% to 99% of particles of at least one refractory material, the main constituent(s) of which are alumina and/or zirconia and/or silica; (b) 1% to 6% of a hydraulic cement; (c) 0 to 0.03% of organic fibers; (d) optionally, 0.075% to 1% of a surfactant; and (e) optionally, a setting accelerator, where the fraction of particles having a size below 40 ?m being distributed, in percentages by weight relative to the weight of the powder, in the following manner: (1) fraction<0.5 ?m: ?4%, (2) fraction<2 ?m: ?5%, fraction<10 ?m: ?16%, and fraction<40 ?m: 29-45%, where the proportion of zirconia in the fraction of particles having a size smaller than 10 ?m, called “fines”, is between 35% and 75% by weight relative to the total weight of said fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermally sprayed coatings of a high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder, said high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder comprising from about 0 to about 0.15 weight percent impurity oxides, from about 0 to about 2 weight percent hafnium oxide (hafnia), from about 6 to about 25 weight percent yttrium oxide (yttria) or from about 10 to about 36 weight percent ytterbium oxide (ytterbia), and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia). Thermal barrier coatings for protecting a component such as blades, vanes and seal surfaces of gas turbine engines, made from the high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powders, have a density greater than 88% of the theoretical density with a plurality of vertical macrocracks homogeneously dispersed throughout the coating to improve its thermal fatigue resistance.

Abstract: Provided are a zirconia sintered body that has excellent mechanical characteristics, as well as semiconductivity that can allow static electricity to escape at an appropriate rate, and a manufacturing method that can manufacture the same at lower cost than in the past. The zirconia sintered body is made of 66-90 parts by weight of zirconia that contains a stabilizer, and a total of 10-34 parts by weight of iron, chromium and titanium oxides. Of the iron, chromium and titanium oxides, the proportion of iron oxide is 70-99.5 wt %, the proportion of chromium oxide is 0.4-20 wt % and the proportion of titanium oxide is 0.1-10 wt %. The combined proportion of tetragonal and cubic crystals in the zirconia crystal phase is 90% or more and the mean crystal grain size of the zirconia is 0.3-0.5 ?m. The mean crystal grain size of the iron, chromium and titanium oxides is 0.5-2.0 ?m. It has excellent mechanical characteristics, as well as semiconductivity.

Abstract: The optoceramics are transparent to visible light and/or infrared radiation. The optoceramics each consist of a crystal matrix, i.e. of polycrystalline material, wherein at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight, of the single crystallites have a cubic pyrochlore or a fluorite structure. Refractive, transmissive or diffractive optical elements made with the optoceramics, their uses and an optical imaging system comprising at least one of the optical elements are also disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the optoceramics are described.

Abstract: A refractory object can include a beta alumina. In an embodiment, the refractory object is capable of being used in a glass fusion process. In another embodiment, the refractory object can have a total Al2O3 content of at least 10% by weight. Additionally, a Mg—Al oxide may not form along a surface of the refractory object when the surface is exposed to a molten glass including an Al—Si—Mg oxide. In a particular embodiment, a refractory object can be in the form of a glass overflow forming block used to form a glass object that includes an Al—Si—Mg oxide. When forming the glass object, the glass material contacts the beta alumina, and during the flowing of the glass material, a Mg—Al oxide does not form along the beta alumina at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides biocidal ceramic compositions incorporating a bioactive ionic species that is chemically bound in a substantially single-phase, crystalline, [NZP]-type structure, methods for producing the crystalline structures, and articles of manufacture incorporating the crystalline structures, and uses of the articles of manufacture. Bioactive ionic species can be, but are not limited to, Ag, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Sn, Co, H, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a boron suboxide composite material having improved fracture toughness.

Abstract: The invention relates to fine-particulate zirconium titanates or lead zirconium titanates and a method for production thereof by reaction of titanium dioxide particles with a zirconium compound or a lead and zirconium compound. The titanium dioxide particles have a BET surface of more than 50 m2/g. The lead zirconium titanates can be used for the production of microelectronic components.

Abstract: Method for producing a mold for use in casting reactive metals comprising preparing a slurry of a yttria-based refractory composition and a binder, and using said slurry as a mold facecoat by applying said slurry onto a surface of a mold pattern, wherein said yttria-based refractory composition is obtainable by (a) mixing particles of a yttria-based ceramic material and a fluorine containing dopant, and (b) heating the resulting mixture to effect fluorine-doping of said yttria-based ceramic material.

Abstract: Provided is a modified perovskite type composite oxide in which the dielectric characteristics are equal to or better than those prior to modification, there is no substantial elution of coating components from the modifying coating components, and change in the specific surface areas over time and elution of the A-site metals are suppressed effectively, while the cracking traits are good. A modified perovskite type composite oxide in which the particle surface of a perovskite type composite oxide is coated with a first component of at least one selected from TiO2 and SiO2 and a second component of at least one selected from a group consisting of Al, Zr, Nd, La, Ce, Pr, and Sm, wherein the coating is formed by hydrolyzing at least one selected from a hydrolyzable TiO2 precursor and a hydrolyzable SiO2 precursor as a source of the first component and a salt of at least one selected from a group consisting of Al, Zr, Nd, La, Ce, Pr, and Sm as a source of the second component, and then calcining them.

Abstract: A boron suboxide composite material having improved fracture toughness consists of particulate or granular boron suboxide distributed in a binder phrase, such as AlxByOz, for example.

Abstract: Proposed is a zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, wherein the purity of the zirconium crucible is 99.99 wt % or higher. In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, the present invention provides a zirconium crucible for melting an analytical sample, a method of preparing such analytical sample, and a method of analysis that enables the analysis of high purity materials by inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible regardless of difference in the analysts and their skill.

Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and the use of a nonmetal-ion-containing strong base can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Examples of the precipitants used include tetraalkylammonium hydroxides. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A ceramic powder contains a principal component that is a perovskite-type complex oxide represented by the formula ANbO3 (A is at least one selected from alkali metal elements and contains 10 mole percent or more of K) and also contains 0.0001 mole or more of an element per mole of the principal component. The element is at least one selected from the group consisting of Yb, Y, In, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Sm, Ho, Er, Tb, and Lu. The ceramic powder preferably further contains at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, and Sn. This enables that a non-deliquescent alkali niobate-based ceramic powder is produced at a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for easily producing a hexagonal zirconium phosphate powder having excellent dispersibility and a specific particle size distribution by the use as a starting material of a zirconium carbonate powder for which a specific particle size is easily obtainable. A hexagonal zirconium phosphate powder having a specific particle size distribution and high crystallinity can be produced by making zirconium carbonate be present in an aqueous solution containing phosphate ion and at least one of ion selected from an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, and ammonium ion, aging by a wet method, and then heating under dry conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic sheet having uniform quality over its entire surface with a decreased number of detects such as foreign matters and flaws. When the ceramic sheet was divided into sections of 30 mm square or smaller, each divided section has 5 or less defects detected based on an image obtained with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the ceramic sheet. In this method, a green sheet or a calcined sheet mainly including spherical ceramic particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to less than 5 ?m was used as a spacer. By using this spacer, the green sheet for ceramic sheet slides smoothly on the spacer surface when it shrinks in baking, and the friction resistance between the green sheet for ceramic sheet and the spacer is lowered. In this manner, the method of the present invention can mass-produce the above-described high quality ceramic sheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low density and porous zirconia (ZrO2) powder partially alloyed with one or more of yttria, scandia, dysprosia, ytterbia, or any of the oxides of lanthanide or actinide. The total amount of alloying oxides should be less than about 30 weight percent. The powder is manufactured by controlled sintering or light plasma densification of physically agglomerated, or chemically derived zirconia composite powder that contains proper amounts of yttria, scandia, dysprosia, ytterbia, or any of the oxides of lanthanide or actinide, or any combination of the aforementioned oxides. The resulting coating from use of the inventive powder has a monoclinic phase content of less than 5 percent.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and fabrication method is provided for integrating wide bandgap nitrides with silicon. The structure includes a substrate, a single crystal buffer layer formed by epitaxy over the substrate and a group III nitride film formed by epitaxy over the buffer layer. The buffer layer is reflective and conductive. The buffer layer may comprise B an element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Al. For example, the buffer layer may comprise ZrB2, AlB2 or HfB2. The buffer layer provides a lattice match with the group III nitride layer. The substrate can comprise silicon, silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), sapphire or Al2O3. The group III nitride material includes GaN, AlN, InN, AlGaN, InGaN or AlInGaN and can form an active region. In a presently preferred embodiment, the buffer layer is ZrB2 and the substrate is Si(111) or Si(100) and the group III nitride layer comprises GaN.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a refractory ceramic body is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a zirconia precursor, a silica precursor, a sol-gel forming agent, and a preformed zircon. The method can further comprise forming the composition into a desired shape and firing the desired shape to form a dense, creep resistant refractory body. An article made by the methods above is disclosed, wherein a fine particle zircon is formed within and/or between grains of a preformed zircon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method that can improve the sintering ability of calcium sulfate. The material can be used as a bio-material. This method is prepared by pre-mixing +1 and/or +2 and/or +3 and/or +4 and/or +5 valence element and/or its chemical compounds which serves as a sintering additive to calcium sulfate. During sintering, the sintering additive may form a compound and/or a glass and/or a glass-ceramic to assist the densification of the calcium sulfate. The strength and biocompatibility of the specimen after sintering are satisfactory.

Abstract: Non-volatile resistance-switching oxide films, and devices therewith, are disclosed. One embodiment of a suitable device is composed of a SRO-CZO thin film having a thickness of from about 6 to about 30 nm, and composed of from about 3 to about 10 molar % of a SrRuO3 conducting oxide dopant and from about 90 to about 97 molar % of a CaZrO3 insulating oxide material.

Abstract: A zirconia porous body with excellent stability of heat resistance is manufactured. This relates to a zirconia porous body having peaks at pore diameters of 8 to 20 nm and 30 to 100 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more, and to a zirconia porous body having a peak at a pore diameters of 20 to 110 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more.

Abstract: A zirconia porous body with excellent stability of heat resistance is manufactured. This relates to a zirconia porous body having peaks at pore diameters of 8 to 20 nm and 30 to 100 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more, and to a zirconia porous body having a peak at a pore diameters of 20 to 110 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more.

Abstract: A precursor of a ceramic adhesive suitable for use in a vacuum, thermal, and microgravity environment. The precursor of the ceramic adhesive includes a silicon-based, preceramic polymer and at least one ceramic powder selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, boron oxide, boron nitride, hafnium boride, hafnium carbide, hafnium oxide, lithium aluminate, molybdenum silicide, niobium carbide, niobium nitride, silicon boride, silicon carbide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, tin oxide, tantalum boride, tantalum carbide, tantalum oxide, tantalum nitride, titanium boride, titanium carbide, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, yttrium oxide, zirconium diboride, zirconium carbide, zirconium oxide, and zirconium silicate. Methods of forming the ceramic adhesive and of repairing a substrate in a vacuum and microgravity environment are also disclosed, as is a substrate repaired with the ceramic adhesive.

Abstract: A substrate for an information recording medium, which has high heat resistance and high acid resistance and is formed of a glass having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 600° C. or higher and having an etching rate of 0.1 ?m/minute or less with regard to a hydrosilicofluoric acid aqueous solution that is maintained at a temperature of 45° C. and has a hydrosilicofluoric acid concentration of 1.72% by weight, and an information recording medium having an information recording layer formed on the above substrate.

Abstract: In dental ceramics containing zirconium dioxide and silicon-dioxide with a Zr/Si ratio of between 0.5 and 1.0, 1 to 12 wt % of aluminum oxide and up to 2 wt % of an alkali- or earth alkali metal oxide, those materials are selectively mixed with yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide with a Zr/Si ratio of the mixture being between 0.5 and 1 wt % and also a silicon organic compound as well as a compression aid, and a green body is formed from the mixture by milling, which green body is then sintered.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pre-sintering process for reducing non-uniformities in the density of a sintered material comprising (a) providing a mixture of (i) a first sinterable material containing a contaminant the presence of which during sintering of the first sinterable material results in a higher vapor pressure than would occur during sintering of pure first sinterable material and (ii) a second material having a higher affinity for the contaminant than does the first sinterable material; and (b) heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to allow the second material to at least partly mitigate the propensity of the contaminant to raise the vapor pressure during the sintering of the first sinterable material. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated plastic substrate module (100) includes a plastic substrate (110), an organic coating (130), and a modulating film (120) sandwiched therebetween. The modulating film is made from partially stabilized zirconia. A method for manufacturing a coated plastic substrate module includes the following steps: providing a plastic substrate; forming a modulating film on the plastic substrate, the modulating film being made from partially stabilized zirconia; forming an organic coating on the modulating film; and annealing the treated plastic substrate having the modulating film and organic coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel binder and slurry formulations used to form molds for casting metal alloys and, more particularly, reactive metal alloys. The shell molds lead to more uniform castings which exhibit limited alpha case as compared to other currently available shell mold systems.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a refractory ceramic body is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a zirconia precursor, a silica precursor, a sol-gel forming agent, and a preformed zircon. The method can further comprise forming the composition into a desired shape and firing the desired shape to form a dense, creep resistant refractory body. An article made by the methods above is disclosed, wherein a fine particle zircon is formed within and/or between grains of a preformed zircon.