Abstract: A light transmitting sintered body of cordierite has a composition equal or close to the stoichiometric composition of cordierite which is represented as 2MgO.2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.5SiO.sub.2, consists mainly of a phase of cordierite crystals, and has a total transmittance of at least 20%. A method of preparing it is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hard crystalline sintered ceramic products, and a method for making them at substantially reduced sintering temperatures, are disclosed, the products being manufactured by the sintering of mixtures comprising one or more ceramic powders selected from among zirconia, stabilized zirconia, partially stabilized zirconia, alumina, mullite, cordierite, and MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4 spinal together with a combination sintering aide including TiO.sub.2 and at least one transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of copper oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide and zinc oxide, the mixture comprising at least about 3.5 mole percent TiO.sub.2, at least about 1.3 percent of transition metal oxides, about 4.8-50 mole percent total of TiO.sub.2 +transition metal oxides, and the remainder ceramic powder. Sintering of these mixtures at temperatures typically 200.degree.-350.degree. C.

Abstract: A Group IIA metal-Group IIIA metal-silicon substantially homogeneous liquid alkoxide is prepared from a reaction mixture of a Group IIA metal, a Group IIIA metal, a silicon tetraalkoxide, and a liquid defined by the formula ROR' where R is an alkyl group and R' is hydrogen or an alkyl group. The alkoxide can then be hydrolyzed, azeotropically distilled, dried, milled, and calcined to produce a ceramic powder. Advantageously, the ceramic powder can be compacted and sintered at relatively low temperatures which enable it to be used in electrical applications where high sintering temperatures would be deleterious.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of an anorthite sintered body, which comprises preparing a formed body of at least one powder selected from the group consisting of (i) a calcium type zeolite having an SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 molar ratio lower than 3, (ii) an amorphous calcination product obtained by calcining said calcium type zeolite and (iii) a mixture of said calcium type zeolite or said amorphous calcination product and an alkaline earth metal compound, and sintering the formed body at a temperature lower than 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A magnesia-based sintered body of a homogeneous composition having a porosity lower than 1% and a hydrateability lower than 0.3%, said sintered body having a chemical composition comprising 70 to 99.9% by weight of magnesia and 30 to 0.1% by weight of at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, phosphorus pentoxide, yttrium oxide, barium oxide, boron oxide, calcium oxide and lithium oxide. The sintered body is obtained by molding a powdery mixture of magnesia and the oxide other than magnesia.

Abstract: A self-supporting ceramic composite body produced by a method which comprises preparing a polycrystalline material as the oxidation reaction product of a parent metal with a vapor-phase oxidant, comminuting the resulting material to a particulate, forming a permeable mass of said particulate as filler, and infiltrating said particulate with an oxidation reaction product of a parent metal with a vapor-phase oxidant, thereby forming said ceramic composite body.

Abstract: A method of preparing a precursor or cordierite-forming particulate raw material mixture is improved upon by characterizing the talc particles utilized in the raw material mixture in accordance with a Morphology X-ray Diffraction Index or the surface area of the talc particles. Talc particles having a predetermined or desired Morphology X-ray Diffraction Index or surface area are utilized in preparing the raw material mixture. A cordierite article is produced having pores therethrough, which pores have shapes that are "blocky" or "platy" as a result of the talc morphology. "Platy" pores in the fired cordierite article result in higher Water Absorption values and an increase in coatability by high surface area washcoat and catalyst; conversely, "blocky" pores result in lower Water Absorption values and a decrease in coatability by high surface area washcoat and catalyst.

Abstract: A Group IIA metal-Group IIIA metal-silicon substantially homogeneous liquid alkoxide is prepared from a reaction mixture of a Group IIA metal, a Group IIIA metal, a silicon tetraalkoxide, and a liquid defined by the formula ROR' where R is an alkyl group and R' is hydrogen or an alkyl group. The alkoxide can then be hydrolyzed, azeotropically distilled, dried, milled, and calcined to produce a ceramic powder. Advantageously, the ceramic powder can be compacted and sintered at relatively low temperatures which enable it to be used in electrical applications where high sintering temperatures would be deleterious.

Abstract: A metal oxide dielectric dense body, comprising (I) grains having a predominant crystalline phase (a) a primary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon and magnesium oxide and (b) optionally a secondary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of aluminum and zinc oxide and (II) between about 1 and about 20 atom % bismuth, vanadium, or boron oxide or combinations thereof, discontinuously located at the boundaries of the crystalline grains or as inclusions in the crystalline grains, the atom %'s based on the total atoms of bismuth, vanadium, boron, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. The dense body has a density which is at least 95% of theoretical.

Abstract: A body is disclosed which is at least about 90% by weight cordierite, has a mean pore size of less than about 10.0 microns, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of no greater than about 9.0.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. from about 25.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the body. Raw materials are selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16 magnesium oxide, about 35 to 41 aluminum oxide, and about 43 to 53 silica. The raw materials are absent of clay and talc. The magnesium oxide is supplied by a magnesium oxide component having an average particle size of no greater than about 15.0 micrometers in diameter. The aluminum oxide is supplied by an aluminum oxide component having an average particle size of no greater than about 8.0 micrometers in diameter. The composition is capable of forming cordierite in the subsequent firing step.

Abstract: Ceramic bodies are bonded together via a layer of an oxidation reaction product of a molten metal, which metal is present in one or both of the ceramic bodies prior to bonding. At least one of the ceramic bodies comprises a ceramic product formed by the oxidation reaction of molten parent metal (e.g., alumina from molten aluminum) and grown as molten metal is transported through, and oxidized on the surface of, its own oxidation product. One or both of the ceramic bodies used in the bonding process contains surface-accessible channels of residual metal, i.e., metal channels which have resulted from molten-metal transport during the ceramic growth process. When the suitably assembled ceramic bodies are heated in the presence of an oxidant at a temperature above the melting point of the residual metal, molten metal at the surface of at least one of the body ceramic bodies reacts with the oxidant to form a layer of oxidation reaction product, which may or may not incorporate at least one filler material.

Abstract: A process for producing a high density ceramic of perovskite represented by the formula:ABO.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cordierite, which includes dissolving a silicon compound, an aluminum compound and a magnesium compound in a molar ratio of 1:0.7 to 1:0.3 to 0.5 in a complexing agent represented by the formula R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, wherein R is an alkyl group and n is an integer of 1 to 4; heating the resulting solution to bring about a ligand exchange reaction of the silicon compound, aluminum compound and magnesium compound with the complexing agent; conducting hydrolysis to form a gel; drying the gel and sintering the dried gel at 800.degree. to 1450.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-supporting ceramic strucutre 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: A process for producing strong alumina ceramics in which needle-shaped .beta.'"-alumina grains are homogeneously distributed in an .alpha.-alumina matrix to provide an increase in bending strength, as compared to the alumina ceramics without .beta.'"-alumina, when fired under similar conditions. The process comprises mixing .alpha.-alumina powder and salts of sodium and magnesium, in a Na:Mg mol ratio of 1:2; wet-mixing and calcining the mixture to form a mixture of (100-5X) mols of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +X(Na.sub.2 O+4MgO), wherein X is the number of mols and is not more than 3; forming a dense green body of the calcined mixture and sintering the green body at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form in-situ particles of .beta.'"-alumina distributed in the .alpha.-alumina.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure containing SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MgO primarily in the form of cordierite, mullite and corundum having a compositional gradient in the direction of the channels of the honeycomb and having extensive microcracking provides high resistance to thermal shock, and is useful as a substrate for catalysts.

Abstract: A metal oxide dielectric dense body, comprising (I) grains having a predominant crystalline phase (a) a primary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon and magnesium oxide and (b) optionally a secondary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of aluminum and zinc oxide and (II) between about 1 and about 20 atom % bismuth, vanadium, or boron oxide or combinations thereof, discontinuously located at the boundaries of the crystalline grains or as inclusions in the crystalline grains, the atom %'s based on the total atoms of bismuth, vanadium, boron, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. The dense body has a density which is at least 95% of theoretical.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing ceramic articles which are especially suited for electronic applications. The process involves taking a shaped article which has been formed from a magnesium exchanged zeolite powder, the zeolite selected from the group consisting of philipsite, harmotome, gismondine, zeolite B, zeolite ZK-19 and zeolite W, and sintering it at a temperature of about 1,000.degree. C. to 1,350.degree. C. for about 1 to about 6 hours. The magnesium exchanged zeolite has a SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio of about 2.3 to about 2.8 and a sodium content less than 0.5 weight percent. The ceramic article that is formed has a substantially crystalline cordierite phase and has a density of at least 90% of its theoretical density. A preferred process involves calcining the magnesium exchanged zeolite powder at a temperature of about 600.degree.-800.degree. C. to collapse the zeolite framework and give upon sintering a cordierite ceramic article which is substantially crack free.

Abstract: A self-supporting ceramic composite body produced by a method body which comprises preparing a polycrystalline material as the oxidation reaction product of a parent metal with a vapor-phase oxidant, comminuting the resulting material to a particulate, forming a permeable mass of said particulate as filler, and infiltrating said particulate with an oxidation reaction product of a parent metal with a vapor-phase oxidant, thereby forming said ceramic composite body.

Abstract: A method for making composite mullite/cordierite ceramics comprises the steps of:preparing a mullite-intensive sol by mixing alumina and silica sols together at an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of 1.37-1.76,preparing a cordierite-intensive sol by mixing alumina, silica and magnesia sols together,gelating a mixture of the mullite- and cordierite-intensive sols obtained at a weight ratio of 80:20-20:80calcinating the thus obtained gel at 1200.degree.-1400.degree. C., andcompacting and sintering the thus calcinated material at 1300.degree.-1450.degree. C.

Abstract: The ceramic sinter is composed of a metal oxide such as ZrO.sub.2 and 10-90 vol. % of metal fluoride which is selected from the group having not less than 2.5 electronegativity difference between fluoride and the metal element.The ceramic sinter has a thermal expansion coefficient of 15-20.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. and is suitable for bonding with general use metals such as stainless steel to form a composite body of the ceramic sinter and the metal without causing a substantial thermal stress at the juncture thereof.

Abstract: Compositionally triphasic nanocomposite gel is made by mixing two or more sols of ceramic precursor oxides. Such gel is then dried and ground to a fine powder which is pressed into compact bodies. The compact bodies are thereafter fired in a sintering oven at from 1100.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C. and, aided by the heat of reaction of the two or more nono gel powders, the (heterogeneous) mixture of such powders crystallizes into a homogeneous crystalline ceramic of .alpha.-cordierite at up to 100% of theoretical density. Thus, novel method of manufacture and novel ceramic end-product are provided.

Abstract: Cordierite compositions having increased porosity and improved thermal expansion characteristics are disclosed. The cordierite compositions comprise from about 0.025 to about 1.5 percent by weight germanium dioxide and exhibit reduced CTE. The cordierite compositions are made by heating a mixture of kaolin, talc, alumina, kyanite and germanium dioxide to temperatures of between 1350.degree. and 1475.degree.C. The cordierite compositions are preferably made from a mixture which includes a calcined material, such as calcined talc, so that the mixture is more easily processed and the resulting cordierite compositions are more porous, and thus, more easily coated.

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: A method of producing self-supporting ceramic composite bodies of desired shape by infiltrating a permeable self supporting preform with polycrystalline matrix material comprising an oxidation reaction product obtained by oxidation of a parent metal precursor, such as aluminum, and optionally containing therein metallic constituents. The composite body is formed by contacting a zone of a permeable self supporting preform, having at least one defined surface boundary spaced from said contacting zone, with a body of molten metal which is reacted with a suitable vapor-phase oxidant to form an oxidation reaction product.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a self-supporting ceramic body by oxidation of a molten precursor metal with a vapor-phase oxidant to form an oxidation reaction product and inducing a molten flux comprising said molten precursor metal through said oxidation reaction product. A second metal is incorporated into said molten flux during the oxidation reaction. The resulting ceramic body includes sufficient second metal such that one or more properties of said ceramic body are at least partially affected by the presence and properties of said second metal.

Abstract: A method of physically and chemically altering asbestos which comprises mixing the asbestos with a selected metal and reacting the mixture to form an end product including slag, in which the asbestos has been altered allowing its safe disposal or its formation into useful products.

Abstract: An alumina-spinel monolithic refractory consists essentially of 50-90 percent by weight of alumina clinker, 5-40 percent by weight of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 spinel clinker not larger than 1 mm in size and 1-25 percent by weight of alumina cement. Another alumina-spinel monolithic refractory consists essentially of 50-90 percent by weight of alumina clinker, 5-40 percent by weight of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 spinel clinker, 1-25 percent by weight of alumina cement and not more than 5 percent by weight of magnesia clinker. The alumina-spinel monolithic refractories are used for lining the inner walls of ladles, vacuum degassing vessels, hot-metal mixers, blast-furnace troughs and their covers, not-metal mixer cars, tundishes and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing ceramic articles which are especially suited for electronic applications. The process involves taking a shaped article which has been formed from a magnesium exchanged zeolite powder, the zeolite selected from the group consistig of phillipsite, harmotome, gismondine, zeolite B, zeolite ZK-19 and zeolite W, and sintering it at a temperature of about 1,000.degree. to 1,350.degree. C. for about 1 to about 6 hours. The magnesium exchanged zeolite has a SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio of about 2.3 to about 2.8 and a sodium content less than 0.5 weight percent. The ceramic article that is formed has a substantially crystalline cordierite phase and has a density of at least 90% of its theoretical density. A preferred process involves calcining the magnesium exchanged zeolite powder at a temperature of about 600.degree.-800.degree. C. to collapse the zeolite framework and give upon sintering a cordierite ceramic article which is substantially crack free.

Abstract: A porous cordierite ceramic and a process for making the same are provided by the present invention. Preferably, the ceramic material includes at least about 95 percent cordierite in the crystal phase, a porosity of at least about 30 volume percent, a crush load strength of at least about 6 pounds, and a thermal conductivity of less than about 5 watts/meter-.degree.K. The method of producing a porous cordierite ceramic includes (a) combining alumina, clay, talc, a pore-forming material and preferably free silica; (b) adding binder, water and other additives; and (c) shaping the mixture to form a green body. The green body is thereafter fired to form a sintered ceramic body. The porous cordierite is useful in a heat source retainer.

Abstract: A refractory brick for use in rotary cement kilns has improved properties by the addition of small quantities of MnO.sub.2 to the composition used to form the brick.

Abstract: A process is described for making shaped aggregates by mixing the material to be shaped with an aluminum solution and magnesium oxide. The magnesium oxide provides a delayed but strong gelating action to give time for ramming or casting the aggregate into a viable shape.

Abstract: A moldable composiion comprising a mixture of magnesia, alumina, and silicon carbide powders or agglomerates thereof, the powders having an overall average size of at most 5.0 micrometers, preferably an average size in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 micrometers, optionally a polymeric binder, optionally a fluxing agent, and optionally a plasticizer or lubricant which exhibits litle or no controlled dimensional stability upon being fired to a cordierite ceramic material in a novel process. The process involves incorporation of silicon carbide powder into the moldable composition and the reaction of this silicon carbide upon firing to produce silicon dioxide. The cordierite ceramic material is useful where the dimensions of a shaped or molded part must be preserved after firing, as, for example, in the preparation of dental articles or as a mold for casting metals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the improvement of the properties of cordierite sintered structures. The improvement consists essentially of heat treating the calcined kaolin component which when added to the batch of ray materials increases the thermal shock resistance and decreases the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate for densely integrated semiconductor arrays which is superior in a coefficient of thermal expansion, dielectric constant, strength of metallized bond, and mechanical strength, comprising a sintered body composed essentially of mullite crystals and a non-crystralline binder composed of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and MgO, is provided.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board comprises plural insulating layers integrated into one body, and internal wiring conductor layers located on the internal insulating layers, characterized in that conductor paths in each internal conductor layer are locally separated from the insulating layer by a cavity or porous layer provided at the boundaries between the path and insulating layer adjacent thereto. At least one insulating layer between internal conductor layers may be provided with a layered space or porous layer therein.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a self-supporting ceramic or ceramic composite body by the oxidation of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline ceramic material comprising the oxidation reaction product of said parent metal with an oxidant, including a vapor-phase oxidant, and optionally one or more metallic constituents dispersed throughout the polycrystalline ceramic material. The method comprises the steps of providing at least a portion of said parent metal with a barrier means at least partially spaced from said parent metal for establishing at least one surface of the ceramic body, and heating said parent metal to a temperature above its melting point but below the melting point of the oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten metal. At that temperature, the molten metal is reacted with the oxidant, thus forming the oxidation reaction product.

Abstract: In processes of forming a refractory mass on a surface, a mixture of refractory particles and oxidizable particles which react exothermically with oxygen to generate sufficient heat to soften or melt at least the surfaces of the refractory particles are sprayed against that surface to bring about formation of said refractory mass. To promote the reliable and consistent formation of a durable refractory mass, the granulometry of the particles which are sprayed in the mixture is such that the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the refractory particles (that is, the screen mesh sizes G.sub.80 and G.sub.20 through which respectively 80% and 20% by weight of the particles will pass) have a mean greater than the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the oxidizable particles and the size range spread factor f(G) of the refractory particles is at least 1.

Abstract: A method for producing a self-supporting ceramic composite structure comprising a ceramic matrix embedding a filler, includes oxidizing a parent metal to form a polycrystalline material comprising the oxidation reaction product of the parent metal and, optionally, one or more metallic constituents. The method includes heating the parent metal to provide a source of molten parent metal and a reservoir of molten metal which is in communication with the parent metal having a chemical composition which is different from the parent metal and contacting the molten parent metal with a permeable bedding of filler. The molten parent metal reacts with the oxidant to form the oxidation reaction product and is replenished by the reservoir as the reacting continues for a time sufficient to grow the oxidation reaction product to a desired extent and thereby embed at least a portion of the bedding of filler within the oxidation reaction product to form the ceramic composite structure.

Abstract: Stable alkaline sols of anionic alumina hydrate may be made by calcining alumina trihydrate and milling the monohydrate produced under alkaline conditions. Alkaline sols containing both anionic alumina hydrate and anionic colloidal silica may be used for bonding refractory bodies.

Abstract: Mixed lanthanide-magnesium aluminates and lasers using monocrystals of these aluminates.These lasers in particular incorporate two flash lamps for longitudinally pumping a monocrystalline rod of a magnetoplumbite-aluminate emitting visible or infrared light, amplified between a mirror, a polarizing prism being used for passing to the outside of the laser the amplified light beam. The aluminate is of formula:(La.sub.1-x Tr.sub.x).sub.1-y-v Mg.sub.1-z-t Al.sub.11-u+y+2z/3 Cr.sub.u O.sub.19-t-3v/3.in which Tr represents a) at least one single trivalent substance chosen from among lanthanides, Y.sup.3+, Sc.sup.3+, or b) at least one pair of lanthanides formed from a divalent element and a trivalent element, while retaining the electrical neutrality by adding aluminium or oxygen deficiencies, or any combination of (a) and (b); x is a number such that 0.ltoreq.x<1; y and v are numbers such that 0.ltoreq.y+v.ltoreq.0.4; z and t are numbers such that 0.ltoreq.z+t<1, provided that when z=t=0, y+v is .noteq.

Abstract: A high-temperature resistant blast pipe is primarily intended for delivering gas, such as oxygen, and, when appropriate, solid material to metallurgical processes, and incorporates a layer of refractory material comprising a refractory mixture of solid particles and an alkali-silicate based binder.The blast pipe is characterized in particular in that the major constituent of the binder is of the type polymerized alkali silicate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing amorphous cordierite-forming glasses from organometallic precursors. Either the sol-gel/.beta.-diketonate technique or the amorphous chelating hydroxycarboxylate process can be used advantageously. The method of the present invention can also be used to form 5 component comprised and 2 component comprised amorphous compositions wherein one of the components is an oxide of silicon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cordierite (2MgO.2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.5SiO.sub.2) type ceramic powder sintering at low-temperature defined in that its composition is: 60 to 50% SiO.sub.2, 5 to 20% MgO and 20 to 40% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and in that its specific surface area is not less than 50 m.sup.2 /g, this powder having a fritting temperature of less than 1,100.degree. C.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of this powder, which consists in preparing a mixed alcoholic solution of an aluminum and silicon salt, in preparing a solution of an alcohol-soluble magnesium salt, in mixing the two solutions, in padding a hydrolyzing agent in the form of a totally volatile weak base to the solution, which leads to the formation of a gel, in subjecting the said gel to a first thermal treatment at a temperature not exceeding 450.degree. C., and in subjecting the said powder to a second thermal treatment at a temperature of between 450.degree. C. and 900.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a self-supporting ceramic composite body having a plurality of spaced apart wall members, each wall member having a bounded cross-section for defining substantially continuous, fluid passageways. The wall members generally inversely replicate in opposed directions the geometry of a positive pattern. Each of the wall members, which are axially aligned, comprises a ceramic matrix having a filler embedded therein, and is obtained by the oxdiation reaction of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline material which comprises the oxidation reaction product of the parent metal with an oxidant and, optionally, one or more metals, e.g. nonoxidized constituents of the parent metal.

Abstract: New type porous cordierite ceramics having a new characteristic interconnecting open cellular structure and a hollow microspherical cordierite glass powder with a shell devoid of any pores or provided with a few or an abundance of open pores which is used as a starting material for the porous cordierite ceramics. The porous cordierite ceramics are produced by subjecting a starting solution containing an alkyl silicate, an aluminum salt and an magnesium salt optionally with other compounds in an organic or aqueous organic solvent to spray thermal decomposition to prepare the hollow microspherical cordierite glass powder, and then processing the cordierite glass powder to a shaped body after or before an optional heat treatment and firing the shaped body at a temperature below the melting point of cordierite. The porous cordierite ceramics are useful as a carrier for gas chromatography or various chemical reactions.

Abstract: A method for producing a self-supporting ceramic composite body having a negative pattern which inversely replicates the positive pattern of a parent metal precursor having thereon a positive pattern section which is emplaced in conforming engagement with a bed of conformable filler. The parent metal precursor, which also has a non-replicating section, is melted and reacted with an oxidant to form a polycrystalline oxidation reaction product which grows primarily only from the positive pattern section of the parent metal precursor and through the filler. The molten parent metal is drawn through the growing polycrystalline material and oxidized at the interface between the oxidant and previously formed oxidation reaction product. The reaction is continued for sufficient time to at least partially embed the filler within the oxidation reaction product and form the ceramic composite body containing a negative pattern which inversely replicates the positive pattern of the parent metal precursor.

Abstract: Ceramic moldings containing finely crystalline cordierite are described, which are obtainable by the intensive grinding of precrystallized cordierite powder, mixing the powder with second additive phases of higher modulus of elasticity, shaping the mixture, and sintering the greenware thus obtained in a siliceous atmosphere at temperatures between 900.degree. and 1400.degree. C. The moldings according to the invention have not only good mechanical strengths but also outstanding dielectric and thermal properties; they are therefore especially suitable for use as dielectrics and as thermal insulating components.

Abstract: These lasers in particular have two flashlamps (30, 32) for longitudinally pumping a monocrystalline aluminate bar (28) emitting in the visible and near infrared, two mirrors (38, 40) for amplifying the light emitted by the bath, a polarizer prism (42) used for feeding the amplified light beam to the outside of the laser cavity. The magnetoplumbite-type aluminate has in particular the formula:La.sub.1-x Mg.sub.1-y-z Mt.sub.v Al.sub.11+x+2y/ 3-v O.sub.19-z(II)in which Mt represents a transition metal chosen from titanium and zirconium; x is a number such that 0<x<0.3; y and z are numbers such that 0.ltoreq.y+z.ltoreq.1 with 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1; v is a number such that 0<v<1.

Abstract: A process for producing a cordierite ceramic body by using a reclaimed cordierite composition for a cordierite ceramic article which has a composition similar to that of the cordierite ceramic body. The process includes the steps of: forming a desired formed body under a pressure by using a starting material which includes the recovered reclaimed cordierite composition, or a mixture of the reclaimed cordierite composition and a fresh cordierite composition; firing the formed body at a temperature between 1280.degree.-1330.degree. C. into a sample of the cordierite ceramic body; measuring a reaction ratio (R) between the amount of protoenstatite and cordierite crystals present in the sample; and formulating the starting material so that the reaction ratio (R) is 0.3 or less.