W. R. Grace Co.-conn.

Craig P Cameron

Roy W Rice

John W Lau

The invention encompasses a method of forming a composition containing an AlN-SiC composite and/or solid solution, the method comprising:

Reaction processing of AlN/SiC composites and solid solutions

Ceramics containing AlN and B.sub.4 C are produced from relatively low cost starting materials. The starting materials are combined and heated whereby they react to form AlN and B.sub.4 C. The reacted mixture can optionally be densified thereafter. The starting materials generally include aluminum metal, boron nitride and carbon.

Reaction processing of AlN/B.sub.4 C composites

A boron compound, capable of forming boron oxide on hot pressing in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, is used as a densification aid for hot pressing of alumina-containing ceramics in oxygen-containing atmospheres. The boron compound may be incorporated into the material to be hot pressed or may be applied to the surface of that material. Air may be used as the hot pressing atmosphere. The alumina-containing ceramic to be hot pressed may be formed by reaction processing techniques. Boron nitride is a preferred boron compound.

Hot pressing densification aid for alumina

A composition containing MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, SiC, and B.sub.4 C is produced by the method comprising:

Ceramic composites containing spinel, silicon carbide, and boron carbide

The invention encompasses unsintered and sintered compositions comprising boride and alumina. A sintered material containing boride and alumina may be produced by a method comprising:

Growing community of inventors

Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Craig P Cameron