Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A mature, tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO and at least 0.5% of a primary stabilizer selected from 0.25% up to less than about 4% MgO, 0.25% up to less than about 4% Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , said fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure and at least 5% tetragonal structure by volume at room temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A mature, tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO and at least 0.5% of a primary stabilizer selected from 0.25% up to less than about 4% MgO, 0.25% up to less than about 4% Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , said fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure and at least 5% tetragonal structure by volume at room temperature.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of producing a tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure and at least 5% tetragonal structure at room temperature and being characterized by a retained strength upon thermal cycling below 2,900° F. comprising, (a) blending a raw material batch consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis 0.1-5.0% ZnO, at least 0.5% of a primary stabilizer selected from 0.25 up to less than about 4% MgO, 0.25 up to less than about 4% Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , (b) shaping said batch into a green body, and (c) sintering said body to bring about ceramic bonding at a temperature above about 2,550° F. for a time after which at least 0.1% of the ZnO remains in the fired body.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of producing a tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure and at least 5% tetragonal structure at room temperature and being characterized by a retained strength upon thermal cycling below 2,900° F. comprising, (a) blending a raw material batch consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis 0.1-5.0% ZnO, at least 0.5% of a primary stabilizer selected from 0.25 up to less than about 4% MgO, 0.25 up to less than about 4% Y 2 O 3 and combinations thereof, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , (b) shaping said batch into a green body, and (c) sintering said body to bring about ceramic bonding at a temperature above about 2,550° F. for a time after which at least 0.1% of the ZnO remains in the fired body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said firing temperature is less than about 2,950° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A mature, tetrastabilizer zirconia fired composition consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO and 0.25% up to less than about 4% MgO, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , said zirconia composition being less than 10% cubic structure and more than 5% tetragonal structure at room temperature and being characterized by a retained strength and lack of early destabilization upon thermal cycling or holding at temperatures in the range of about 1,650°-2,550° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A mature, tetrastabilizer zirconia fired composition consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO and 0.25% up to less than about 4% MgO, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , said zirconia composition being less than 10% cubic structure and more than 5% tetragonal structure at room temperature and being characterized by a retained strength and lack of early destabilization upon thermal cycling or holding at temperatures in the range of about 1,650°-2,550° F.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of producing a tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure at room temperature and which does not rapidly destabilize upon thermal cycling or holding at temperatures in the range of 1,650°-2,550° F. comprising (a) blending a raw material batch consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO, 0.5% up to less than about 4% MgO, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , (b) shaping said batch into a green body, and (c) sintering said body to bring about ceramic bonding at a temperature above about 2,550° F. for a time after which at least 0.1% of said ZnO remains in the body.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of producing a tetrastabilized zirconia fired composition having less than 10% cubic structure at room temperature and which does not rapidly destabilize upon thermal cycling or holding at temperatures in the range of 1,650°-2,550° F. comprising (a) blending a raw material batch consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.1-5.0% ZnO, 0.5% up to less than about 4% MgO, the balance substantially being ZrO 2 , (b) shaping said batch into a green body, and (c) sintering said body to bring about ceramic bonding at a temperature above about 2,550° F. for a time after which at least 0.1% of said ZnO remains in the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said firing temperature is less than about 2,950° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fired composition of claim 1 consisting essentially of, by weight on the oxide basis, 0.5-3% MgO, 0.5-2% Y 2 O 3 , 0.5-2.5% ZnO and the balance substantially being ZrO 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fired composition of claim 1 wherein ZnO is not more than 2% by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fired composition of claim 1 wherein the balance consists of ZrO 2 plus less than 0.5% by weight of minor impurities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fired composition of claim 7 wherein the balance consists of ZrO 2 plus less than 0.5% by weight of minor impurities.