Abstract: A low-thermal-expansion, rigid and wear-resistant ceramic is provided. The low-thermal-expansion ceramic of the invention includes 60 vol % to 99.9 vol % of at least one selected from the group consisting of cordierite, spodumene and eucryptite and 0.1 vol % to 40 vol % of at least one selected from the group consisting of carbides, nitrides, borides and silicides of group IVa elements, group Va elements and group VIa elements, and boron carbide. The ceramic has a porosity of 0.5% or less and a thermal expansion coefficient, at 10° C. to 40° C., of 1.5×10?6/° C. or less.

Abstract: A compound having a space spinel structure and the formula Si3-x Cx N4 wherein 0<x?1. An example of the compound is spinel silicon carbonitride. The compound of the invention may be made by providing a silicon carbo-diimide compound and subjecting the compound to elevated temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A ceramic composite made by compacting a starting powder blend. The composite includes between about 50 volume percent and about 99 volume percent of a ceramic matrix; and between about 1 volume percent and about 50 volume percent as-processed silicon carbide whiskers. The ceramic composite having a fracture toughness (KIC) of greater than about 4.0 MPam1/2. The ceramic has a silicon carbide whisker density as measured in whiskers per square millimeter equal to or less than about 1500 times the volume percent of silicon carbide whiskers, but in a density sufficient for the ceramic composite to have the fracture toughness.

Abstract: A photo-catalyst comprising of oxynitride of at least one transition metal and oxynitride of transition metal further containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkali earth and IIIB group. Especially, the transition metal contained in said photo-catalyst comprising of oxynitride of transition metal is selected from the group consisting of La, Ta, Nb, Ti and Zr, and further containing metal is selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Na, K and Rb. Desirably, a promoter comprising Pt or Ni is loaded on said oxynitride of transition metal.

Abstract: A preform for use in a metal matrix composite, particularly for a magnesium metal composite. In the preform the reinforcing material typically is silicon carbide, boron nitride, titanium nitride, carbon or graphite. The binder used in the preform is sintered magnesium fluoride, which avoids the known problems which result from the high reactivity of molten magnesium metal with other binders, such as silica and alumina, which results in the formation of magnesium oxide in the reinforced composite. The presence of magnesium oxide crystals in the metal matrix adversely affects the properties of the composite. The preform generally has a void volume of from about 50% to about 95%.

Abstract: A nanocomposite having titanium aluminum carbon nitride and amorphous carbon is disclosed, and the nanocomposite comprises a titanium aluminum carbon nitride grain of nanometer scale and an amorphous carbon matrix, wherein the titanium aluminum carbon nitride grain of nanometer scale is embedded into the amorphous carbon matrix. The method for coating the nanocomposite of titanium aluminum carbon nitride-amorphous carbon on a substrate comprises: depositing the substrate in a reaction chamber; and igniting plasma to clean and remove an oxide layer and adsorptive on the substrate; injecting a reaction gas. The reaction gas is activated and thermal decomposed by plasma to form the nanocomposite coating layer of titanium aluminum carbon nitride-amorphous carbon on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: After an alloy powder including W, Cr, at least one of Ti, Zr, and Hf, and at least one of V, Nb, and Ta is produced, the alloy powder, a powdery carbon material, and a catalyst are heat-treated in the presence of a nitrogen gas. The alloy powder is carbonitrided into a multicomponent ceramics powder, and sintered into a sintered body. Alternatively, a powder of a first substance including at least two of Ti, Al, V, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mo, Ta, Cr, and W is molded into a molded body. Then, the surface of the molded body is surrounded by a second substance including a metal element which is not contained in the powder of the first substance, and the molded body is heat-treated in an atmosphere in which N is present. A porous sintered body thus produced is crushed into a multicomponent ceramics powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon carbide-boron nitride composite material, which synthesised according to an in-situ chemical reaction between silicon nitride, boron carbide and carbon, and which contains fine boron nitride particles dispersed in a silicon carbide matrix, wherein aforementioned composite material is obtained by molding a powder mixture containing each of the components required in the in-situ reaction and sintering the mixture.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte, a method of manufacturing the same, and a lithium battery and a thin-film battery that employ the solid electrolyte are provided. The solid electrolyte contains nitrogen to enhance the ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability of batteries.

Abstract: An alumina-based composite sintered material comprising alumina as a main ingredient and containing one or more carbonitridation products of groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table and/or two or more carbonitridation products of solid solutions of groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table. The content of nitrogen solid solute in the carbonitridation product increases from the interior to the surface of the sintered material, and the Vickers hardness at the surface of the sintered material is 19.5 GPa or more.

Abstract: Composite cordierite honeycomb structures especially suitable for diesel exhaust filtration applications comprise a non-oxide polycrystalline phase constituting 10-70% by weight, with the remainder of the ceramic material constituting a cordierite phase, the non-oxide polycrystalline phase being selected from the group consisting of carbides, nitrides, and borides. Preferably the non-oxide phase is either polycrystalline silicon carbide or polycrystalline silicon nitride and has a particle aspect ratio of less than 3. Inventive ceramic bodies are porous with an open porosity of at least 30%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and a median pore size of at least 5 micrometers, more preferably greater than 8 micrometers and less than 12 micrometers.

Abstract: A molded part of a ceramic material derived from polymers includes a composite body of a single-phase or multi-phase, amorphous, partially crystalline or crystalline matrix of silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon dioxide (SiO2) or mixtures thereof. The matrix contains graphite inclusions and the density of the ceramic material is at least 85% of the theoretical value. The molded part is produced by subjecting a mixture formed of a polymer component in an amount of 30 to 80 wt. % referred to the total weight of the mixture, fillers in an amount of 0 to 30 wt. % and graphite in an amount of 10 to 70 wt. %, to a forming process with heating to effect crosslinking of the polymer components, followed by a pyrolysis process. In particular, the molded parts are produced from polymers of the group including polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polysilazanes or polycarbosilanes. A process for producing ceramic molded parts and a sliding element having a molded part are also provided.

Abstract: A titanium based composite which includes a Ti(Al,O) base matrix, discrete ceramic particles, and an oxide layer on the surface of the composite. The discrete ceramic particles are integrally associated with the Ti(Al,O) base matrix and the oxide layer, so that at a temperature of above about 600° C., the composite is substantially resistant to oxidation and spallation.

Abstract: A conductive paste for defogging heat wires of automobile windows contains a silver powder having particle size in the range of about 0.1 to 20 &mgr;m, a molybdenum compound such as molybdenum silicide or molybdenum boride, a glass frit having a softening point of 730° C. or less and an organic vehicle. The conductive paste can uniformly darken the conductive heat wire regions of the automobile window without producing any harmful substances. Also, it can ensure sufficient bonding strength of lead wires.

Abstract: Blocks of material are prepared in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of models for dental restorations. The material comprises a partially sintered ceramic material. The blocks are used to manufacture molds using CAD/CAM methods and equipment. The molds are useful in the manufacture of dental restorations using ceramics, metals, alloys, or powders thereof, and composite materials. The models milled from the blanks may be used to manufacture a variety of dental restorations including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, orthodontic retainers, dentures, posts, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, splints, partial crowns, teeth, cylinders, pins, and connectors.

Abstract: In order to reduce wear on refractory linings due to corrosion and the infiltration of slags and molten metals, particulate materials containing TiO2 are added to the refractory products consisting of a mixture of aggregates and binding agents.

Abstract: A coated tool, and a method of making the same, wherein the tool has a substrate with a cutting edge. The tool has a lubricous coating which comprises hexagonal boron nitride in a state of residual compressive stress.

Abstract: An electroconductive low thermal expansion ceramic sintered body is disclosed which containing a &bgr;-eucryptite phase in a quantity of not less than 75 vol. % and not more than 99 vol. % and having an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient of not more than 1.0×10−7/K at a temperature of 0° C. to 50° C., a volumetric specific resistance of not more than 1.0×107 &OHgr;·cm, and a specific rigidity of not less than 40 GPa/g/cm3.

Abstract: A ceramic bearing ball in which at least a portion of a constituent ceramic is formed of an electrically conductive inorganic compound phase, whereby a proper electrical conductivity is imparted to the ceramic. Thus, electrifying of a bearing ball is prevented or effectively suppressed. This prevents the problem involved in production of balls of small diameter wherein such balls adhere to an apparatus (e.g., a container) during production thereof, thus hindering smooth progress of the production process. In addition, when ceramic balls are used in precision electronic equipment, such as a hard disk drive of a computer, which is operated at high rotational speed, adhesion of foreign substance due to electrification of the balls, and resultant generation of abnormal noise or vibration can be prevented or effectively suppressed.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic material. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: Fused, crystalline eutectic material comprising aluminum oxycarbide/nitride-Al2O3.rare earth oxide eutectics. Examples of useful articles comprising the fused eutectic material include fibers and abrasive particles.

Abstract: A homogeneous bulky porous ceramic material is provided, the average pore diameter D50 of which is less than 4 &mgr;m and the closed porosity of which is less than 2 &mgr;m, and having a bubble point that matches the pore diameter measured on the material. A hollow fiber based on the material and a module employing such fibers together with a paste constituting a precursor for the material and including a pore-forming agent are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxides on suitable substrates, as converted from nitride precursors. A composition comprising a solid solution of zirconium nitride and yttrium nitride (YZN) represented by the formula (ZrxY1−x)N where x is a value from 0.1 to 0.9 is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cubic boron nitride-based sintered material excellent in durability and usable for a cutting tool material capable of carrying out high speed cutting of at least a high grade cast iron represented with a Ni-Resist cast iron and an austempered cast iron and having a long life. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the cubic boron nitride-based sintered material. The method for the production of a cubic boron nitride-based sintered material includes preparing a starting mixture by mixing particles of cubic boron nitride with a binding powders based on the system of TiCN, Si3N4, Al2O3, and CrxN, wherein x varyies from 1 to 2.7; and subjecting the starting mixture to a sintering process under pressure and at the same time at a high temperature; and recovering a sintered product.

Abstract: A composition including a first phase selected from nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides, sulphides, chalcogenides, oxides, and silicides, and a second phase selected from nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides, sulphides, chalcogenides, oxides, and silicides, wherein said second phase comprises a multiplicity of discrete portions positioned into the first phase, with these multiplicity of portions comprising a continuous second phase, and made thereof, coatings and articles, especially, machining, cutting and shaping tools, wearparts, and methods of making and using the composition, coating and articles.

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-lubricating ceramic composite characterized as having a low porosity derived from a mixture of at least one ceramic powder preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, alumina, zirconium nitride, tungsten carbide, and titanium carbide; a cemetitious binder, effective amounts of at least one metal silicide, and at least one metal oxide. The ceramic powder mixture can be slurried with sufficient amounts of water and subsequently subjected to pressures of about 6.0 to 7.0 MPa in a mold at temperatures of about 125° to 175° C. to form a self-lubricating ceramic composite capable of maintaining hot-hardness temperatures above 750° C. These self-lubricating ceramic composites are particularly useful in the manufacture of high-performance turbine engines, including engine parts, bearings, gears, rotors and in other areas where high-heat lubricating properties of the ceramic composite are required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic composite, in particular for use in secondary metallurgy, consisting of at least a first layer comprised of a carbon-containing, oxide refractory material, and a second layer comprised of a carbonless oxide refractory material bound with a binding agent.

Abstract: A dry refractory composition having superior insulating value. The dry refractory composition also may have excellent resistance to molten metals and slags. The composition includes filler lightweight material, which may be selected from perlite, vermiculite, expanded shale, expanded fireclay, expanded alumina silica hollow spheres, bubble alumina, sintered porous alumina, alumina spinel insulating aggregate, calcium alumina insulating aggregate, expanded mulllite, cordierite, and anorthite, and matrix material, which may be selected from calcined alumina, fused alumina, sintered magnesia, fused magnesia, silica fume, fused silica, silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium diboride, zirconium boride, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, Sialon, titanium oxide, barium sulfate, zircon, a sillimanite group mineral, pyrophyllite, fireclay, carbon, and calcium fluoride.

Abstract: Fused, crystalline eutectic material comprising aluminum oxycarbide/nitride-Al2O3.Y2O3 eutectics. Examples of useful articles comprising the fused eutectic material include fibers and abrasive particles.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising eutectic material. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: Fused abrasive particles comprising at least one eutectic. The fused abrasive particles can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, non-woven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: A ceramic granule, obtained by granulating at least one ceramic particle into a granule together with a binder, optionally classifying the ceramic granule to remove fine particle having a particle size of not more than 10 &mgr;m, moistening the granulated ceramic granule in an agitation fluidized bed under the conditions of not aggregating said ceramic granule and regulating the water content of the moistened ceramic granule by fluidizing and drying the moistened ceramic granule in the agitation fluidized bed in such a manner that the resultant granule has a water content within the range which maintains a flowability sufficient for packing the ceramic granule in a mold in which the ceramic granule exhibits well-balanced properties of a crushing property at a low pressure and an anti-collapse property, excels in flowability, packing property into a mold, and anti-sticking property, and has a well-balanced properties of a crushing property at a low pressure and an anti-collapse property.

Abstract: A cutting tool according to the present invention is coated with one or more Al2O3 layers on at least a part of the surface of a cBN-based sintered material substrate taking part in cutting. The sintered material substrate is made of cBN in an amount of from 20% to 99% by volume and Al2O3 having an average crystalline particle diameter of not more than 1 &mgr;m in an amount of from not less than 1.0% to less than 10% by volume. The Al2O3 layer has a thickness (d) of from 0.5 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. The average crystalline particle diameter (s) of Al2O3 is from 0.01 &mgr;m to 4 &mgr;m if the thickness (d) of the Al2O3 layer is from 0.5 &mgr;m to 25 &mgr;m or from not less than 0.01 &mgr;m to not more than 10 &mgr;m if the thickness (d) of the Al2O3 layer is from more than 25 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The polycrystalline cubic baron nitride cutting tool has a particle size in the range of from 10-17 microns. In addition to CBN, the tool has from 2%-15% by weight of a refractory compound selected from the group consisting of titanium carbonitride, titanium aluminum carbonitride, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium diboride and aluminum diboride. When using one of the carbonitrides, the carbon to nitrogen proportion is preferably in the range of from 30 atomic percent carbon and 70 atomic percent carbon to 70 atomic percent carbon and 30 atomic percent nitrogen, and preferably is about 50/50. In addition, there is an infiltrate containing aluminum and/or silicon. A quantity of diamond crystals more than stoichiometric with the amount of silicon infiltrated is included in the composition for forming silicon carbide. The cutting tool is not formed on a cemented tungsten carbide substrate so is substantially free of cobalt.

Abstract: A refractory material powder of a carbide-forming metal or alloy is formed into an intermediate body having a shape and size corresponding to the desired shape and size of the article. The intermediate body is exposed to a gaseous hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons at a temperature exceeding the decomposition temperature for the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons until the mass of the intermediate body has increased by at least 3%. The intermediate body is thereafter exposed to a temperature of 1000-1700° C. in an inert atmosphere if the temperature during exposure to the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons was too low to ensure a complete carbidization of the intermediate body.

Abstract: A composite material has a quartz glass phase and a complex compound phase compounded with the quartz glass phase, which is made of one or more compounds selected from a group of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon, titanium nitride and titanium carbide, as a main ingredient. The composite material can be used instead of quartz glass, and can prevent the generations of microcrack, tipping and particles after the mechanical working.

Abstract: A method comprising incorporation of an inorganic polymer precursor of a grain growth inhibitor into superfine materials or intermediates useful for the production of superfine materials. The precursor/nanostructured material composite is optionally heat treated at a temperature below the grain growth temperature of the superfine material in order to more effectively disperse the precursor. The composites are then heat treated at a temperature effective to decompose the precursor and to form superfine materials having grain growth inhibitors uniformly distributed at the grain boundaries. Synthesis of the inorganic polymer solution comprises forming an inorganic polymer from a solution of metal salts, filtering the polymer, and drying. Alloying additives as well as grain growth inhibitors may be incorporated into the superfine materials.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic-metal composite, includes (1) mixing TiO2, and optionally Ti, with at least one of a boron-containing or carbon-containing material to give a green body mix; (2) heat treating the green body mix to a temperature from 900° C. to 1900° C. and below a temperature which leads to an autocatalytic reaction; (3) carrying out an exchange reaction between the material and the TiO2 to give a reaction product comprising at least one of TiBx and TiCy, wherein 0≦x 23 2 and 0≦y≦1; (4) producing a porous green body from the reaction product; (5) filling the porous green body with liquid aluminum after the exchange reaction; and (6) carrying out a reaction between the reaction product in the green body and the aluminum to form the ceramic-metal composite comprising a ceramic phase selected from the group consisting of TiBx-, TiCy-, TiCN- and Al2O3 and a comprising a metallic phase comprising an intermetallic compound of Ti and Al.

Abstract: A sintered body contains a high pressure form boron nitride in the range of 20 to 70% by volume, a first binding material surrounding the high pressure form boron nitride with a thickness in the range of 5 nm to 300 nm and a second binding material of the balance. The first binding material is composed of at least one of nitride and boride of Ti and Al. The second binding material is composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of nitride, carbide, carbonitride, boride and oxide of Al and transition metals belonging to the group 4a, 5a and 6a in the periodic table and mutual solid solution thereof. Supposing that X is the amount of Al contained per unit volume in the first binding material and Y is the amount of Al contained per unit volume in the second binding material, the ratio X/Y is not less than 1.

Abstract: The present invention related to methods of manufacturing oxide, nitride, carbide, and boride powders and other ceramic, organic, metallic, carbon and alloy powders and films and their mixtures having well-controlled size and crystallinity characteristics. This invention relates, more particularly, to a development in the synthesis of the ceramic, metallic, composite, carbon and alloy nanometer-sized particles with precisely controlled specific surface area, or primary particle size, crystallinity and composition. The product made using the process of the present invention and the use of that product are also claimed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic cutting tool comprising in its essential part a ceramic material comprising, in one aspect, a titanium carbonitride-based hard phase and an alumina-based phase, wherein the ceramic material satisfies the following relationships: 10 wt %≦weight of Al2O3≦45 wt %; 51 wt %≦weight of TiCN≦89.5 wt %; and 96 wt %≦weight of Al2O3+weight of TiCN≦99.5 wt % wherein the weight of Al2O3 indicates the weight content of aluminum as calculated in terms of Al2O3; and the weight of TiCN indicates the weight content of said titanium carbonitride hard phase,with the proviso that the weight of TiCN is defined by the weight of Ti+ the weight of C+ the weight of N, in which weight of Ti, C, and N are the weight contents of the titanium component, carbon component, and nitrogen component, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to boron-containing carbosilanes, a process for their preparation, boron-containing oligo- or polycarbosilazanes, a process for their preparation and their use and silicon borocarbonitride ceramics and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: A ceramic composition produced by the consolidation of a blend of starting components. The composition comprises a matrix with one or more of the carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of hafnium, molybdenum, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and tungsten, titanium nitride, and titanium carbonitride in an amount that is greater than 50 volume percent of the matrix. The matrix comprises between 60 and 99.8 volume percent of the composition. Ceramic whiskers are uniformly dispersed throughout the matrix wherein the ceramic whiskers comprises between 0.2 and 40 volume percent of the composition.

Abstract: A thermally insulating coating system for curved and/or hardened glass panes includes at least one layer of noble metal enclosed by a lower and an upper blocker layer. An underoxidic NiCrOx layer with a thickness between one Å and two nm is embedded into the noble-metal layer. The advantage is that the optical qualities of the coating system are not influenced by the tempering and curving of the glass pane.

Abstract: A boron and silicon oxynitride obtained by preparing a polyborosiloxane precursor, conducting nitriding pyrolysis of the precursor to obtain an amorphous boron and silicon oxynitride, and optionally conducting additional pyrolysis to obtain a crystallized boron and silicon oxynitride. The polyborosiloxane precursor is prepared by condensation, in the presence of a catalyst, of (2) a polychlorosilane represented by the formula R3R4SiCl2 in which the substituents R3 and R4 are identical or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl or alkynyl radical having 5 or less carbon atoms, or an aryl or aralkyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, with (2) an alkyl borate represented by the formula (R5O)3B in which R5 represents a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A ceramic compound which undergoes martensitic transformation comprises a compound represented by compositional formula Ln1-xSixAlO3+0.5x obtained by substituting a part of LnO1.5 in LnAlO3-type compounds with SiO2, where Ln represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb, and x=0.01 to 0.3.

Abstract: A silver-colored sintered product having excellent corrosion resistance containing titanium, carbon and boron as indispensable constituent elements, and including in the sintered product composition a titanium boride phase or a boride phase which contains titanium as a chief metal element and a titanium carbide phase or a carbide phase which contains titanium as a chief metal element and a method of producing the same. The sintered product has a flexural strength of not smaller than 700 MPa, a Vickers' hardness of not smaller than 9.0 GPa and a fracture toughness of not smaller than 5.0 MPa·m½.

Abstract: Metal nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder with high surface area (up to 150 m2/g) is prepared by using sol-gel process. The metal organic precursor, alkoxides or amides, is synthesized firstly. The metal organic precursor is modified by using unhydrolyzable organic ligands or templates. A wet gel is formed then by hydrolysis and condensation process. The solvent in the wet gel is then be removed supercritically to form porous amorphous hydroxide. This porous hydroxide materials is sintered to 725° C. under the ammonia flow and porous nitride powder is formed. The other way to obtain high surface area nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder is to pyrolyze polymerized templated metal amides aerogel in an inert atmosphere. The electrochemical capacitors are prepared by using sol-gel prepared nitride, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride powder. Two methods are used to assemble the capacitors.