Fabrication of low density ceramic material

Patent · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5275572

Meek, T T; Blake, R D; Sheinberg, H

A precursor mixture and a method of making a low-density ceramic structural material are disclosed. The precursor mixture includes hollow microballoons, typically made of glass, together with a cementing agent capable of being cured by microwave irradiation. A preferred cementing agent is liquid hydrated potassium silicate, which is mixed with the glass microballoons to form a slurry. Upon irradiation the potassium silicate is dehydrated to form a solid porous matrix in which the microballoons are evenly distributed. Ground glass or other filling agents may be included in the slurry to enhance the properties of the final product. Low-density structural ceramics having densities on the order of 0.1 to 0.3 are obtained.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE85017766
• OSTI ID: 5275572
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Preparation & Fabrication
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CERAMICS
COLLOIDS
DEHYDRATION
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FABRICATION
FOAMS
GLASS
MATERIALS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM SILICATES
RADIATIONS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
THERMAL INSULATION