Caterpillar Inc.

Kurt C Kelley

Jill E Crumpacker

A process for forming pliable elements curable by hot pressing to form high temperature resistant elements is disclosed. In this process, a metal, a metal compound, or a mixture thereof, which has some water of hydration, is mixed with orthophosphoric acid in an amount sufficient to form a resultant mixture having a pH value no greater than 0.85. A refractory material is added to the mixture and a resultant pliable curable material is formed. An element of a preselected configuration is formed from the pliable curable material. The element is dried at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to form a pliable curable element having a stable unitary mass. The pliable element is cured by 'false melt' processing techniques.

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Kurt C Kelley