Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of: first particles of at least one member selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 , C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride; and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered material having porosity of 5 to 30%, and the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity ranging from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of: first particles of at least one member selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 , C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride; and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered material having porosity of 5 to 30%, and the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity ranging from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 1, wherein said first particles are of at least TiN.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 1, wherein the combined amount of said second particles and said whiskers is 20 to 90 parts by volume and the amount of said particles is 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 1, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include ferrosilicon containing no greater than 70% by weight Fe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of: a matrix of first particles of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and a second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles of the compound are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered material having a porosity of 5 to 30%, and the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity ranging from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of: a matrix of first particles of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and a second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles of the compound are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered material having a porosity of 5 to 30%, and the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity ranging from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 5, wherein said particles of the compound are of at least TiN.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 5, wherein the amount of said second particles and the whiskers is 20 to 90 parts by volume and the amount of said first particles is 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 5, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include ferrosilicon containing no greater than 70% by weight Fe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
236 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of a matrix of first particles of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles of the compound are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, said sintered ceramic material having a porosity of 5 to 30%, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity within the range from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
236 words
A sintered ceramic material consisting essentially of a matrix of first particles of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and second particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride; wherein said first particles of the compound are interlocked with each other by means of said second particles and said whiskers, said sintered ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, said sintered ceramic material having a porosity of 5 to 30%, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said second particles and said whiskers; said sintered material having a resistivity within the range from 4.2×10 -5 to 2.8×10 0 Ωcm, being substantially free from glass phase and having a bending strength ranging from 140 to 510 MN/m 2 at 1200° C., said bending strength being substantially the same as that at room temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 9, wherein said first particles of the compound are of at least TiN.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 9, wherein the amount of said second particles and said whiskers is 20 to 90 parts by volume and the amount of said first particles if 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 9, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include ferrosilicon containing no greater than 70% by weight Fe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 1, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include Si 2 N 2 O and SiO 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 5, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include Si 2 N 2 O and SiO 2 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sintered ceramic material according to claim 9, wherein said second particles and said whiskers further include Si 2 N 2 O and SiO 2 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
243 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by the process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first powder to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers containing essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
243 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by the process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiB 2 , TiC, ZrN, ZrC, ZrB 2 , Cr 2 N, Cr 3 C 2 , CrB, HfN, HfC, TaN, TaC, TaB 2 , NbN, NbC, NbB 2 , WC, W 2 C, Mo 2 N, Mo 2 C, MoB, VN, VC, WSi 2 , TiSi 2 , ZrSi 2 , NbSi 2 , TaSi 2 , CrSi 2 , MoSi 2 , Cr 7 C 2 , CeC 2 , each having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 -3 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first powder to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers containing essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 16, wherein said second powder is of at least TiN.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 16, wherein the combined amount of said particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and said whiskers is 20 to 90 parts by volume and the amount of said particles of the second powder is 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 16, wherein said ferrosilicon powder contains no greater than 70% by weight Fe.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
211 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder having an average particle size no greater than 100 microns and of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbides, oxides, nitrides, borides, oxynitrides and silicides of elements belonging to IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, Va, VIa and VIII of the Periodic Table, wherein said at least one compound includes a member having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first particles to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
211 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder having an average particle size no greater than 100 microns and of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbides, oxides, nitrides, borides, oxynitrides and silicides of elements belonging to IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, Va, VIa and VIII of the Periodic Table, wherein said at least one compound includes a member having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first particles to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 20, wherein the second powder is of at least TiN.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 20, wherein the combined amount of said particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and said whiskers is 20 to 90 parts by volume and the amount of said particles of the second powder is 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 20, wherein said ferrosilicon powder contains no greater than 70% by weight Fe.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
199 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbides, oxides, nitrides, borides, oxynitrides and silicides of elements belonging to IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, Va, VIa and VIII of the Periodic Table, wherein at least one compound includes a member having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first powder to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
199 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process comprising the steps of: preparing a molded article comprising a first powder of metallic silicon and/or ferrosilicon powder; a second powder of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbides, oxides, nitrides, borides, oxynitrides and silicides of elements belonging to IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, Va, VIa and VIII of the Periodic Table, wherein at least one compound includes a member having an electric resistivity not greater than 10 Ωcm; and a binder for forming said first and second powders into said article; subjecting said binder to decomposition so as to make said article porous so that gaseous substances can permeate into the pores of said article; and sintering said porous article in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 50 ppm of oxygen at an elevated temperature of at least 1350° C., whereby nitrogen gas reacts with said first powder to form particles consisting essentially of silicon nitride and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride, the amount of said whiskers being 1 to 70% by weight based on the sum of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride so as to interlock particles of said second powder.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 24, wherein said second powder is of at least TiN.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 24 wherein the combined amount of said particles and whiskers consisting essentially of silicon nitride is 20 to 90 parts by volume and an amount of said particles of said second powder is 80 to 10 parts by volume.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sintered ceramic material produced by a process according to claim 24, wherein said ferrosilicon powder contains no greater than 70% by weight Fe.