Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A ceramic composition characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion in the temperature range from 25° C. to 500° C. of between about 14×10 -6 /°C. to about 16×10 -6 /°C. and further characterized by a transverse strength of about 18,000 psi or greater comprising from about 40 to 60% by weight of a finely ground, magnesium oxide dispersed in silicate glass matrix containing at least 3% by weight of zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A ceramic composition characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion in the temperature range from 25° C. to 500° C. of between about 14×10 -6 /°C. to about 16×10 -6 /°C. and further characterized by a transverse strength of about 18,000 psi or greater comprising from about 40 to 60% by weight of a finely ground, magnesium oxide dispersed in silicate glass matrix containing at least 3% by weight of zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A ceramic composition of claim 1 wherein said finely ground, magnesium oxide and said silicate glass matrix containing at least 3% by weight zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or mixtures thereof was obtained after being fired to about 1150° C. resulting in crystalline magnesium oxide particles dispersed in a matrix consisting of a glass phase containing a fine dispersion of forsterite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A ceramic composition of claim 2 wherein said crystalline magnesium oxide particles are less than about 74 μm in diameter.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of making a ceramic composition characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion in the temperature range of from 25° C. to 500° C. of between 14×10 -6 /°C. to about 16×10 -6 /°C. and further characterized by a transverse strength of about 18,000 psi or greater comprising the steps of: (a) mixing from about 40 to 60 parts by weight of a finely ground, magnesium oxide with a corresponding 60 to 40 parts by weight, respectively, of a modified silicate glass containing at least about 3% by weight zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or mixtures thereof said glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion between 9 to 12×10 -6 /°C.; (b) firing said mixture produced in step (a) at about 1150° C. for sufficient time to produce crystalline magnesium oxide particles dispersed in a matrix consisting of a glass phase containing a fine dispersion of forsterite; (c) cooling said fired mixture produced in step (b); and (d) recovering said resulting tough, high coefficient of thermal expansion, ceramic composition.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of making a ceramic composition characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion in the temperature range of from 25° C. to 500° C. of between 14×10 -6 /°C. to about 16×10 -6 /°C. and further characterized by a transverse strength of about 18,000 psi or greater comprising the steps of: (a) mixing from about 40 to 60 parts by weight of a finely ground, magnesium oxide with a corresponding 60 to 40 parts by weight, respectively, of a modified silicate glass containing at least about 3% by weight zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or mixtures thereof said glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion between 9 to 12×10 -6 /°C.; (b) firing said mixture produced in step (a) at about 1150° C. for sufficient time to produce crystalline magnesium oxide particles dispersed in a matrix consisting of a glass phase containing a fine dispersion of forsterite; (c) cooling said fired mixture produced in step (b); and (d) recovering said resulting tough, high coefficient of thermal expansion, ceramic composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 4 wherein said firing is performed in vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 5 wherein said cooling is by quenching in water.