Abstract A method of reducing surface resistance of ceramic bodies by coating the surface of a ceramic body with a metal salt solution and then subjecting the coated ceramic body to sintering conditions favorable for the formation of ceramic-metal combinations. A preferred metal salt solution comprises 32 grams of lithium polymolybdate (metal salt), 80 milligrams of lithium fluoride (wetting agent), 4 to 6 milliliters of aqueous methyl cellulose (organic binder) and 100 milliliters of deionized water. Comparable solutions of titanium are also included. Sintering conditions include temperatures of 1,000* to 1,300*C. in a decomposable gas atmosphere for about 30 minutes and then cooling in a dry inert gas atmosphere.
A method of producing defined surface resistance in ceramic bodies as defined in claim 1 wherein said aqueous metal salt solution consists essentially of about 32 grams of lithium polymolybdate, about 80 milligrams of lithium fluoride, about 4 to 6 milliliters of aqueous methyl cellulose solution and about 100 milliliters of deionized water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of producing defined surface resistance in ceramic bodies comprising; applying an aqueous generally uniform outer layer of a metal-salt solution which tends to be retained onto a body composed of aluminum oxide ceramic material and provide select amounts of a metal that undergoes solid-body reactions at sintering conditions with said aluminum oxide ceramic material onto at least one surface of said body by briefly contacting said solution with said one surface to produce a metal-salt coated ceramic surface; said metal-salt solution consisting essentially of about 32 grams of lithium polymolybdate, about 80 milligrams of lithium fluoride, about 4 through 6 milliliters of a 10 percent aqueous methyl cellulose solution and about 100 milliliters of deionized water; and subjecting said coated surface to sintering conditions conducive to solid-body reactions between aluminum oxide ceramic materials And said metal for the formation of metal-ceramic combinations including heating said coated ceramic surface to temperatures in the range of about 1,000* to 1,300* C. for periods of time ranging from about 10 to 60 minutes, first in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere, then in a reducing atmosphere and then cooling the heated surface to at least below 800* C. in an inert atmosphere.