Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic comprising: an aggregating step wherein ceramic fibrous material of 0.5 μm or more in diameter aggregate to produce fiber aggregate; a composite step wherein said fiber aggregate is placed on a first filter, and a dispersion liquid in which ceramic powder having one-tenth or less of the diameter of said ceramic fibrous material is dispersed in a dispersion medium and is transferred through said fiber aggregate from a side opposite said first filter to the other side, for passing said dispersion medium through said first filter and introducing said ceramic powder in a gap formed between said fibrous material of said fiber aggregate to form a composite of said fibrous material and said ceramic; and a sintering step wherein said composite prepared is heated to a sintering temperature of said ceramic powder and wherein, in said composite step, a second filter with large pores is placed on said fiber aggregate, means for compressing fiber aggregate is placed on said second filter and in said dispersion liquid, and said dispersion medium is transferred through the pores of said second filter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic comprising: an aggregating step wherein ceramic fibrous material of 0.5 μm or more in diameter aggregate to produce fiber aggregate; a composite step wherein said fiber aggregate is placed on a first filter, and a dispersion liquid in which ceramic powder having one-tenth or less of the diameter of said ceramic fibrous material is dispersed in a dispersion medium and is transferred through said fiber aggregate from a side opposite said first filter to the other side, for passing said dispersion medium through said first filter and introducing said ceramic powder in a gap formed between said fibrous material of said fiber aggregate to form a composite of said fibrous material and said ceramic; and a sintering step wherein said composite prepared is heated to a sintering temperature of said ceramic powder and wherein, in said composite step, a second filter with large pores is placed on said fiber aggregate, means for compressing fiber aggregate is placed on said second filter and in said dispersion liquid, and said dispersion medium is transferred through the pores of said second filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein in the aggregating step said ceramic fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of (Al 2 O 3 ) fiber, carbon (C) fiber, alumina-silica (Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 ) fiber, silicon carbide (SiC) fiber, silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) fiber,, zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) fiber, silicon carbide (SiC) whisker, silicon nitride (S3I.N 4 ) whisker and a mixture thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic powder is selected from the group consisting of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ), silica (SiO 2 ) and a mixture thereof, and has a particle diameter of 1 μm or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic powder contains a sintering agent in a range of from 2 to 20 wt % thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic powder includes a sintering agent which is one selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide (MgO), yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3 ), boron oxide (B 4 C), alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) and a mixture thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion liquid is selected from the group consisting of alcohol, ketones, amines and carboxylic acids and a mixture thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of producing a reinforced ceramic according to claim 1, wherein a vacuum of not more than 10 -3 Torr is applied to said other side of said filter in said composite step.