Abstract: This moldable refractory composition is intended to be used in the production of cast refractory pieces resistant to molten metals, especially molten aluminum. It comprises 8 to 25% by weight of an aqueous phosphoric acid solution having a concentration of phosphoric acid ranging from 40 to 85% by weight, with up to 50% of the primary acidic function of the acid phosphoric acid neutralized by reaction with vermiculite. It also comprises from 75 to 92% by weight of a mixture containing wollastonite and an aqueous suspension containing from 20 to 40% by weight of colloidal silica. The weight ratio of the aqueous suspension to the wollastonite within the mixture ranges from 0.5 to 1.2. The composition according to the invention is particularly interesting in that it can be unmolded within a very short period of time that is less than 2 hours and can be as small as 10 minutes.

Abstract: A ceramic and method of producing the same are disclosed, the ceramic having as principal ingredients natural zeolite and shells, wherein silver nitrate, magnesium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide selenium oxide and ferric oxide are added thereto, and the resultant mixture fired to produce a granular ceramic. The granular ceramic enables the production of deoxidized water having an appropriately low oxidation reduction potential, for use as drinking water and the like.

Abstract: Castable refractory for a slide gate plate is mainly formed of alumina raw material and amorphous carbon raw material of 2 to 15 wt %, and contains silicon carbide and/or boron carbide, the total content thereof being equal to 0.5 to 10 wt % (the content of boron carbide is equal to or less than 3 wt %, and when the content of boron carbide is less than 0.5 wt %, silicon carbide is set to 3 wt % or more), 2 to 10 wt % magnesia of 1 mm or less in particle size, 0.2 to 3 wt % silica fine powder of 5 micrometers or less in particle size, and 0.1 to 5 wt % salt of condensate of formalin and aromatic sulfonate.

Abstract: Spherical metal-oxide powder particles are used as finely ground raw and filler materials in mineral, ceramic and refractory construction, technical and auxiliary materials, as well as for polishing and grinding agents. There is a process for producing the powder particles, and there is a process for treating ceramic and refractory residual materials.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ceramic composite that has not only excellent dynamic characteristics, but also good electromagnetic characteristics, typified by dielectric characteristics, and the present invention relates to a ceramic composite, characterized in that an oxide having a perovskite structure which includes as raw materials lead and/or an alkaline earth metal is dispersed in a ceramic matrix, and in the above-mentioned ceramic composite, preferably the ceramic matrix is MgO, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, or ZrO.sub.2, and also, preferably in the above-mentioned ceramic composite, the perovskite structure oxide particles are covered with MgO, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, or ZrO.sub.2, and the ceramic matrix is Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A thermal shock-resistant alumina-mullite composite material and a preparation method thereof which are capable of concurrently obtaining the compactness of the material and a mullite formation. The material is comprised of 4.about.30 weight % of one aluminum silicate selected from the group consisting of kaolinite, silimanite, and kyanite, 75.about.94 weight % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 based on the total amount of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 0.5.about.6 weight % of an alkaline earth metal oxide, wherein the weight ratio of the alkaline earth metal oxide to SiO.sub.2 is 1:2.about.1:3. The composition is first sintered at a temperature of 1450.degree..about.1650.degree. C. for 1.about.5 hours, then cooled down to 1000.degree. C., and then crystallized at a temperature of 1200.degree..about.1500.degree. C. for 1.about.20 hours. This composition is usable to a maximum temperature 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A monolithic refractory composition, which can be rapidly dried after being mixed with water and applied to a desired portion by casting or spraying to form a furnace wall, and which comprises refractory aggregates, a refractory powder, an aluminum alloy powder and a dispersant, wherein the aluminum alloy powder is contained in an amount of from 0.04 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the refractory aggregates and the refractory powder.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-vapor phase process for forming a metal/ceramic composite containing a relatively inert metal such as silver, copper, or nickel by the reaction of a reactive metal or metal alloy containing the inert metal, and a sacrificial ceramic preform. The resulting metal/ceramic composite is essentially the same shape and dimensions as the sacrificial ceramic preform, and exhibits improved physical and mechanical properties, including improved corrosion and wear resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is a ceramic article of magnesium-X silicate, wherein X represents lithium, sodium, potassium or other monovalent ion from about 0.1 to 2 weight percent, and yttria stabilized zirconia and alumina composite from about 99.9 to 98 weight percent wherein the yttria stabilized zirconia has a molar ratio of yttria to zirconia of from 0.5:99.5 to 5:95 and the alumina comprises from 0.1 to 50 percent of the yttria stabilized zirconia and alumina composite.

Abstract: A whiteware ceramic composition is provided comprising a filler, 4 to 10% by weight of a flux having a median particle size of below 6 microns, a prefired ceramic material milled separately from the other components, and raw clay constituting from 5 to 20% by weight of the composition. Fired whiteware made by firing the composition of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an alumina-magnesia oxide which can be fine pulverulent bodies by pulverizing. In the alumina-magnesia oxide of the present invention includes: 70-73 WT % of alumina component, which is converted into alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3); and 27-30 WT % of magnesia component, which is converted into magnesia (MgO). The alumina-magnesia oxide is formed into a pulverulent body, which is a hollow grain having loosed bulk density of 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 or less and average grain diameter of 10 .mu.m or more.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed to novel ceramic compositions, and to stabilizer compositions for use with those ceramic compositions. The ceramic materials are formed of rare earth chromium oxides that include a novel combination of stabilizing compounds. Also, dryer or sterilizer devices which incorporate these ceramic compositions for generating infrared radiation for drying or sterilizing various articles.

Abstract: A castable refractory which comprises a matrix, making up 100 wt % in total, composed of 3-20 wt % of magnesia clinker having a particle diameter smaller than 0.21 mm and containing more than 95 wt % of MgO and 0.5-3.0 wt % of alumina cement in terms of CaO, with the remainder being alumina, and 0.1-3 wt % of ultrafine powder of amorphous silica and 3-9 wt % of alumina coarse grains having a particle diameter of 8-20 mm, both in terms of outer percentage of the amount of the matrix.

Abstract: A castable refractory which comprises a matrix, making up 100 wt % in total, composed of 3-20 wt % of magnesia clinker having a particle diameter smaller than 0.21 mm and containing more than 95 wt % of MgO and 0.5-3.0 wt % of alumina cement in terms of CaO, with the remainder being alumina, and 0.1-3 wt % of ultrafine powder of amorphous silica and 41-100 wt % of alumina coarse grains having a particle diameter of 10-50 mm, both in terms of outer percentage of the amount of the matrix.

Abstract: An unfired recycled material recovered in the course of the production of a cordierite ceramic body is comminuted to prepare a comminuted material. The comminuted material is then subjected to size separation to remove fine particles with diameters of less than 1 mm from the comminuted material while retaining coarse particles with diameters of not less than 1 mm. Water is added to the comminuted material with particle diameters of not less than 1 mm, and the mixture is kneaded to prepare a reprocessed clay. The reprocessed clay is formed into a shape which is then fired to prepare a cordierite ceramic body.

Abstract: A conductive ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of alumina, chromia, and magnesia, and is suitable for use as target electrodes in electrostatic fiber charging applications. Ceramics are disclosed which have exhibit volume resistivities of 10.sup.12 ohm-cm or less at 20.degree. C., and have excellent electrical stability and superior mechanical properties; and an electrostatic charging apparatus is disclosed which employs a ceramic electronic conductor having a volume resistivity of from about 1.times.10.sup.7 to 5.times.10.sup.10 ohm-cm and a hardness of at least 5 GPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramics and a method for making ceramics having very little dimensional change after sintering and high dimensional accuracies, so that the characteristics of inorganic functional material are fully maintained and utilized. The ceramics of the present invention comprise grains of inorganic functional material and grains of complex oxide. The pores existing between said grains of inorganic functional material are filled with said grains of complex oxide produced by a sintering reaction between an oxidized metal and an inorganic compound.

Abstract: Fused alumina particles are covered with a coating of aluminum titanate which is formed by applying a Ti-containing compound to the surface of the fused alumina particles and firing the same to cause a reaction between the Ti-containing compound and the alumina.

Abstract: A sintered, translucent ceramic article comprises alpha alumina and up to 0.050 wgt. percent magnesia and between 0.001 to 0.100 wgt. percent lutetium oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the lutetium oxide is at 0.050 wgt. percent and in a second preferred embodiment half the lutetium oxide is replaced by yttrium oxide. A method of making a translucent ceramic article comprises the steps of: forming an aqueous slurry to yield one of the composition described above; adding nitric acid to adjust the pH to 4.6; adding an aqueous binder and plasticizer in the amount of 2.5 solids wgt. percent; spray-drying the slurry; forming an article by wet-bag isopressing; prefiring said article in air at about 1325.degree. C. for about 2 hours; and sintering said air-fired article in hydrogen for about 3 hours at 1800.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic discharge vessel (6) for a high-pressure discharge lamp (1) made from a sintered body of optically translucent polycrystalline alumina ceramic which is doped with only 100-800 ppm MgO, only 200-1200 ppm ZrO.sub.2 and only 10-300 ppm Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 (by weight). This improves the loading capacity and operating characteristics of the vessel and of the lamp.

Abstract: A low thermal expansion cordierite aggregate, which consists mainly of cordierite crystals having a mean crystal diameter of at least 50 .mu.m and has little orientation in the crystal structure, shows hysteresis in its thermal expansion property accompanying a rise and fall of the temperature, and has a mean thermal expansion coefficient within a temperature range of from room temperature to 1000.degree. C. of at most 10.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a low density basic refractory lining material with improved resistance to corrosion by molten slag and metal that is especially adapted for use as a disposable liner in molten metal containing vessels. This material incorporates hollow ceramic microspheres of alumina, silica or mixtures thereof, having diameters of between about 5 and 500 microns as a density reducing material. This material may also include a stiffening agent, a set retarding agent, a foaming agent to further reduce the density, a plasticizer, and a low temperature binder. The addition of the ceramic microspheres has been found to provide reduced open porosity, improving resistance to corrosion. Also, the invention relates to methods for applying the disposable lining and vessels which include the lining applied thereon.

Abstract: A conductive ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of alumina, chromia, and magnesia, and is suitable for use as target electrodes in electrostatic fiber charging applications. Ceramics are disclosed which have exhibit volume resistivities of 10.sup.12 ohm-cm or less at 20.degree. C., and have excellent electrical stability and superior mechanical properties; and an electrostatic charging apparatus is disclosed which employs a ceramic electronic conductor having a volume resistivity of from about 1.times.10.sup.7 to 5.times.10.sup.10 ohm-cm and a hardness of at least 5 GPa.

Abstract: A sintered, translucent ceramic article comprises alpha alumina and up to 0.050 wgt. percent magnesia and between 0.001 to 0.100 wgt. percent lutetium oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the lutetium oxide is at 0.050 wgt. percent and in a second preferred embodiment half the lutetium oxide is replaced by yttrium oxide. A method of making a translucent ceramic article comprises the steps of: forming an aqueous slurry to yield one of the composition described above; adding nitric acid to adjust the pH to 4.6; adding an aqueous binder and plasticizer in the amount of 2.5 solids wgt. percent; spray-drying the slurry; forming an article by wet-bag isopressing; prefiring said article in air at about 1325.degree. C. for about 2 hours; and sintering said air-fired article in hydrogen for about 3 hours at 1800.degree. C.

Abstract: Cordierite honeycomb ceramics comprises a cordierite phase as a main ingredient. A value of [Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 wt %/(MgO wt %+Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 wt %)].times.100 is 2-10, where a ferric component is calculated as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. A thermal expansion coefficient of the cordierite honeycomb ceramics is less than 0.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. within a temperature range of 40.degree.-800.degree. C. in a direction parallel to a flow passage of a honeycomb body. In the cordierite honeycomb ceramics including a ferric component, a ferric component is added from a talc as raw materials. The cordierite honeycomb ceramics having a low thermal expansion coefficient is obtained by mixing raw materials for cordierite generation to obtain a batch, extruding the batch into a honeycomb formed body, drying the honeycomb formed body, and firing the dried honeycomb formed body at a temperature range of 1350.degree.-1450.degree. C. After that, the sintered honeycomb body is immersed in an acid solution if necessary.

Abstract: A low thermal expansion cordierite aggregate, which consists mainly of cordierite crystals having a mean crystal diameter of at least 50 .mu.m and has little orientation in the crystal structure, shows hysteresis in its thermal expansion property accompanying a rise and fall of the temperature, and has a mean thermal expansion coefficient within a temperature range of from room temperature to 1000.degree. C. of at most 10.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C.

Abstract: A firing underlying board having a long use life free from thermal expansion and which does not cause twisting of ribs, deformation of an end face, color change or cracking in a honeycomb structural body fired on the underlying board. The firing underlying board is composed mainly of 55-85 wt % of cordierite and 15-45 wt % of mullite. The firing underlying board is used to fire green ceramic honeycomb structural bodies placed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid electrolyte and a process for making the same for a sodium-sulfur secondary cell including a composition of 7.0 to 10.0 weight percent of Na.sub.2 O, 0.5 to 3.5 weight percent of MgO or 0.7 to 1.0 weight percent of Li.sub.2 O, 0.01 to 0.6 weight percent of WO.sub.3, and the balance of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The solid electrolyte is prepared by mixing Na.sub.2 O, MgO, Li.sub.2 O, WO.sub.3, and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, calcining the resulting mixture, pulverizing the calcined body, and subjecting the resulting powders to sintering. Alternatively, the solid electrolyte is prepared by mixing Na.sub.2 O, MgO, or Li.sub.2 O, and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 with one another, calcining the mixture, adding WO.sub.3 to the calcined body, pulverizing the resulting material, and subjecting the resulting powders to sintering.

Abstract: A ceramics binder mixture having from 4.3 to 7 parts by weight, as calculated as silica, of a silica-sol mixed to 100 parts by weight of a mixture comprising (1) from 25 to 60 parts by weight of cordierite aggregates prepared by melting and vitrifying a mixture of an approximate cordierite composition (2MgO.2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.5%SiO.sub.2), followed by crystallization to cordierite, and having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 mm, (2) from 6 to 17 parts by weight of a fine powder of silica having particle sizes of from 0.1 to 10 .mu.m, and (3) the rest being a powder composed mostly of cordierite particles and having particle sizes smaller than 0.1 mm, whereby the Na.sub.2 O content in the binder mixture excluding moisture is not higher than 0.3 wt %.

Abstract: In a process of forming cordierite-containing bodies, the water absorption capability or shrinkage of the bodies is controlled using the alumina-yielding ingredients. The process of controlling the water absorption capability or shrinkage includes the steps of providing alumina-yielding ingredients in the form of two aluminas having different particle sizes, wherein the ratio of the two particle sizes is in the range of from about 3:1 to 30:1 or 1:3 to 1:30. Next, a linear relationship between the cordierite-containing body's water absorption capability or shrinkage and the relative percentage of the alumina-yielding ingredients made up by the two aluminas is determined. After determining the linear relationship, a water absorption capability or shrinkage of the cordierite-containing body is selected in accordance with that relationship by adjusting the relative percentages of the two aluminas.

Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride-resistant articles are disclosed which have HF contact surfaces consisting essentially of sintered, single phase, polycrystalline, solid solution alumina and magnesia ceramic. The ceramic has a magnesia content equal to or less than the solubility limit of magnesia in alumina at the sintering temperature for the ceramic. Also disclosed are processes using such surfaces as HF contact surfaces.

Abstract: Cordierite-containing articles are produced by a method comprising the steps of providing raw materials including including alumina-yielding ingredients, magnesia-yielding ingredients, and silica-yielding ingredients, suitable to form an analytical batch composition by weight on an oxide basis of 9-20 weight percent MgO, 30-50 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 41-56.5 weight percent SiO.sub.2. The raw materials include talc having a BET surface area of no greater than about 4.0 m.sup.2 /g, and uncalcined clay having an average particle size of no greater than about 2.0 .mu.m. The raw materials are blended with an effective amount of vehicle and forming aids to form a plastic mixture. The plastic mixture is anisostatically formed into a green body and dried. The dried green body is fired at a temperature and for a time effective to form a cordierite/containing ceramic article. The cordierite-containing articles exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion of not greater than about 4.0.times.10.sup.-7 /.

Abstract: A composite substrate is provided, which comprises a cordierite-anorthite-boron base composite material and has a microstructure with anorthite included in the cordierite phase. This substrate can be used in the form of a circuit substrate, because it has high-enough mechanical strength, a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of silicon and a decreased dielectric constant and, moreover, can be sintered at a low temperature.

Abstract: A dry vibratable substantially alkali free refractory composition is disclosed for use as a disposable liner wherein the combination of a powdered metal utilized as a high temperature binder and an organic material utilized as a low temperature binder obviates the use of alkali oxides which previously caused degradation of the permanent refractory liner materials upon which the disposable lining was placed. Low density materials such as expanded inorganic materials can be added to the disclosed compositions to decrease the density. The invention also relates to a method of providing a disposable lining in a vessel having a permanent refractory lining, and to the resulting vessel thereof.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate ceramic has as main crystalline phases, a crystalline phase of aluminum titanate and a solid solution thereof, a crystalline phase of mullite and a crystalline phase of rare earth titanate represented by RE.sub.2 Ti.sub.2 O.sub.7 (RE represents Y, Yb, Er, Dy, Ho, Tm or Lu). The aluminum titanate ceramic is superior in casting property and has high heat cycle durability.

Abstract: A plastically deformable mixture and method for making a body from the mixture are disclosed. The mixture is composed of powder materials, which when fired form as predominant phases: ceramic, glass-ceramic, glass, and combinations thereof, 0 to an effective amount of burnout agent, water, organic binder which can be cellulose ether, cellulose ether derivatives or combinations thereof, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic additives, to increase the wettability and/or lubricity of the mixture. One advantageous composition for ram extrusion is composed of ceramic-forming powders, water, and in percent by weight based on the powders, about 2% to 8% organic binder which can be methylcellulose, methylcellulose derivatives, and combinations thereof, about 0.3% to 1.0% sodium stearate, and about 0.5% to 2.0% oleic acid.

Abstract: Ceramic products consisting principally of cordierite and a method for making them are provided, the method employing batches comprising a mineral component and a chemical component, the mineral component comprising clay and talc and the chemical component consisting essentially of a combination of the powdered oxides, hydroxides, or hydrous oxides of magnesium, aluminum and silicon. Ceramics made by extrusion and firing of the batches can exhibit low porosity, high strength and low thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: Abrasive material with particularly high abrasive performance is obtained in that the ceramic material contains an additive of 0.01 to 15 percent by weight, preferably 0.1 to 3 percent by weight of a chromium compound.

Abstract: Cordierite-forming green substrates having high wet strength are prepared from fine-particle size minerals, including about 5 to 30 weight percent of delaminated kaolin and, preferably, about 15 to 39 weight percent calcined kaolin. The other fine-particle size minerals utilized are preferably talc having a particle diameter of about seven microns or less and alumina having a particle diameter of about one micron or less.

Abstract: A process for producing dense-sintered cordierite bodies and zirconium dioxide-reinforced cordierite bodies with a maximum of 50% by weight of ZrO.sub.2 is described, wherein a powder of cordierite particles of stoichiometric composition and, if appropriate, ZrO.sub.2 of a particle size of less than 3 .mu.m is heated at temperatures above 800.degree. C. at a rate of temperature rise of less than 5.degree. C. per minute. Virtually pore-free sintered bodies having outstanding mechanical properties can be produced by the process.

Abstract: Green bodies suitable for use in manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. The bodies comprise a coherent mass of particles of aluminium oxide free of organic binder and having a fracture stress measured by a biaxial disc flexure test of at least 10 MPa. The particles of aluminium oxide are coated with at least one inorganic oxide or hydrous oxide.The green body can be shaped by drilling, sawing etc. to a desired shape approximating to that of the ceramic article which it is used to produce. Generally such shaping is considerably easier than shaping the finished ceramic article.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fired magnesia-carbon shape having a combination of properties making it especially suitable for slide gate plates, inserts for such plates and for pouring nozzles useful in casting aggressive steels. The fired refractory shape is formed from a batch consisting essentially of, by weight percent,2 to 8 finely divided graphite (natural or synthetic);3 to 8 aluminum metal powder;1 to 5 of finely divided silica and/or a silicon yielding powder;an effective amount of carbon bond forming resins;and the balance coarse and fine magnesia grains.The magnesia grains should contain less than about 0.02 weight percent boron oxide. After firing, the shape is characterized by a carbon bonding system including a spinel (magnesia-alumina) phase plus aluminum carbide bonding the magnesia-carbon matrix. The refractory shape is preferably carbon impregnated after firing to further enhance its properties.

Abstract: This invention provides a transparent aluminum magnesium oxynitride ceramic, wherein greater than 0.5 weight percent of the total ceramic composition is magnesium oxide. The ceramic article of the present invention is useful in applications where it is desirable to have a transparent ceramic including, for example, in orthodontic brackets, ferrules, and gas tight envelopes.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing MgO-based .beta."-alumina sintered bodies from a starting powder comprising an MgO-based .beta."-alumina as a main ingredient, through shaping and firing, in which process shaped bodies before firing contain 0.3.about.5 wt. %, preferably 1.about.3 wt. %, of Na aluminate. The resulting sintered bodies are high in density, ionic conductivity and strength and useful for solid electrolytes, for example, of sodium sulfur cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a self-supporting ceramic structure comprising an oxidation reaction product of a parent metal and a vapor-phase oxidant characterized by an altered microstructure attributable to the addition of one or more process modifiers relative to substantially the same oxidation reaction product produced without a process modifier.

Abstract: Calcium aluminum magnesium phosphate ceramic hard tiles and processes for them are described. The tiles have a density in excess of about 110 pounds per cubic foot, a curl value less than about 20 mils and a flexural strength of at least about 2500 pounds per square inch. To prepare the hard tiles 100 parts (by wt.) of an aluminum phosphate-phosphoric acid solution is mixed with at least 5 parts magnesium oxide and 50-110 parts wollastonite. If the acid has more than 15% by weight water, then mica or vermiculite is added.

Abstract: A process is presented for the fabrication of a metal/ceramic composite by a non-vapor phase oxidation of a molten metal by contacting said molten metal at an elevated temperature with a sacrificial ceramic preform. The shape of the preform is retained but the ceramic preform is reduced, oxidizing the molten metal. A preferred sacrificial ceramic preform is silica, but can also be, for example, mullite, titania or zirconia, and the preferred molten metal is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Thus, for example, is produced from immersing a silica preform into molten aluminum alloy, an Al/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 composite metal/ceramic article which does not contain silica or silicon and which is extremely tough.

Abstract: High purity fused grain and refractory compositions that contain a high purity fused grain made up of 35 to 85 wt. % chromia, 5 to 55 wt. % alumina, and 5 to 45 wt. % magnesia. Burned refractory brick having such a chemistry was found to unexpectedly possess superior resistance to AOD and electric furnace slags.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic composition for forming a glass-ceramic dielectric body having a dielectric constant of less than about 4.5, a firing temperature of less than about 950.degree. C. and a sintered density of greater than 95% theoretical density. The composition is formed from a mixture consisting essentially of finely divided particles of 40-50 vol. % borosilicate glass and 50-60 vol. % cordierite. The borosilicate glass comprises approximately 20-35 wt. % B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and approximately 60-75 wt. % SiO.sub.2. The exact particle size ratio of the cordierite to borosilicate glass that is used will depend on the proportions of the components, the desired fired density and the firing temperature. The mixture is fired at a temperature of less than 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: Novel compositions useful as fluid gelling agents, especially for use in subterranean applications such as drilling fluids, are prepared by reacting an aqueous dispersion of a clay, such as bentonite, with an aqueous gel of a monodispersed mixed metal layered hydroxide of the formula Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sup.n.sub.a.H.sub.2 O, where x is zero or more representing excess water of hydration, where D is a divalent metal, such as Mg, T is a trivalent metal, such as Al, and A represents other monovalent or polyvalent anions, the formula being described in detail in the disclosure.