Abstract:
This invention relates to a ceramic igniter comprising: (i) a pair of conductive ends, (ii) a hot zone disposed between the conductive ends, the hot zone having a density of at least about 95 % of theoretical density and a composition comprising: (a) between about 50 and about 80 vol % of an electrically insulating material selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, and mixtures thereof; (b) between about 10 and about 45 vol % of a semiconductive material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide and boron carbide; and (c) between about 5 and about 25 vol % of a metallic conductor selected from the group consisting of molybdenum disilicide, tungsten disilicide, titanium nitride, and mixture thereof, and (iii) a support upon which the hot zone is disposed, wherein at least a portion of the hot zone has a thickness of no more than 0.019".
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vertical rack for supporting a plurality of semiconductor wafers in a spaced, substantially horizontal, parallel relation, the vertical rack comprising: a) a vertical support means, and b) a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal support means extending substantially horizontally from the vertical support means to define a plurality of support levels for supporting the wafers, wherein the horizontal support means are projections, each projection comprising an arm terminating in a wafer platform such that the innermost contact between at least one wafer platform of each support level and its supported wafer is in the region of between 20 % and 80 % of the wafer radius, measured from the edge of the wafer, and wherein the arm projects at a continuous upward incline and terminates in the wafer platform.
Abstract:
Shaped ceramic articles can be obtained by screen printing the desired shapes from a dimensionally stable dispersion of a precursor of the ceramic onto a surface, drying the screen printed shapes so obtained and firing them to generate the shaped ceramic articles.
Abstract:
A bearing ball consisting essentially of: (a) at least about 94 w/o of a crystalline phase of silicon nitride, and (b) a single grain boundary phase consisting essentially of Mg, Al, Si and O.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a biojoint prosthesis comprising: a) a prosthetic comprising a first component, such as a femural head, having an outer surface comprising at least 90 mol % zirconia, and b) a second component, such as an acetabular cup, having a surface comprising a ceramic such as alumina, shaped to receive the outer surface of the first component, wherein the outer surface of the first component is received on the surface of the second component, and wherein (i) at least a portion of the surface of the second component receiving the first component comprises a ceramic having a surface roughness of no more than 100 nm, and (ii) the outer surface of the first component has a surface roughness of no more than 100 nm. Maintaining the surface roughness Ra at each surface below 100 nm substantially prevents surface damage nucleation when the articulation is in the low force regime common to hip joint prosthesis articulating surfaces. To attain low wear rates, surfaces are made smooth. Controlling the surface roughness of each surface to less than 15 nm reduces wear even more significantly.
Abstract:
This invention relates to polishing YTZP zirconia disk substrates with colloidal silica to achieve a surface roughness Ra of no more than 8 angstroms.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a drain cast silicon carbide ceramic tube characterized by a length (measured along the tube), a wall thickness, and an outer diameter, the ratio of the tube length to the outer diameter being at least 100:1, wherein the tube has a wall thickness variation of no more than about 0.3 mm/m.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a modular igniter system comprising: a) a ceramic igniter comprising: i) a ceramic hot surface element comprising first and second ends, and ii) a metallized coating which covers at least a portion of each end of the ceramic hot surface element; b) a socket comprising first and second contacts which are in electrical connection with the metallized coatings of the igniter, wherein the contacts have a melting point of at least 485 DEG C.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a refractory shield for protecting a superheater tube against fluid attack comprising first and second partial-tubes (2, 8), each partial-tube having a C-shaped cross section, the C-shaped cross section defining first (3, 9) and second (4, 10) ends; wherein the ends of the partial-tubes are opposably engaged, and wherein the partial-tubes comprise means (5) for preventing radial movement of the first partial-tube relative to the second partial-tube.