Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A process for the preparation of uniform, sub-micron size sinterable metal oxide ceramic powders, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a substantially anhydrous first solution of salts of all the metals whose oxides are present in said metal oxide ceramic powders in the proportions present therein and forming a substantially anhydrous second solution of alkali metal hydroxides in the amount stoichiometrically required to react with the metal content of said first solution; (b) adding said first solution to said second solution, so as to form without evidence of gellation a solid precipitate containing substantially all the ceramic metal content originally in said first solution; (c) separating said solid precipitate from the bulk of its supernatant liquid; (d) heating said solid precipitate to remove residual solvent; (e) washing said solid precipitate with water sufficiently to remove substantially all water-soluble salts therefrom; and (f) drying said washed solid precipitate at a temperature in excess of the boiling point of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A process for the preparation of uniform, sub-micron size sinterable metal oxide ceramic powders, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a substantially anhydrous first solution of salts of all the metals whose oxides are present in said metal oxide ceramic powders in the proportions present therein and forming a substantially anhydrous second solution of alkali metal hydroxides in the amount stoichiometrically required to react with the metal content of said first solution; (b) adding said first solution to said second solution, so as to form without evidence of gellation a solid precipitate containing substantially all the ceramic metal content originally in said first solution; (c) separating said solid precipitate from the bulk of its supernatant liquid; (d) heating said solid precipitate to remove residual solvent; (e) washing said solid precipitate with water sufficiently to remove substantially all water-soluble salts therefrom; and (f) drying said washed solid precipitate at a temperature in excess of the boiling point of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1, comprising the additional step of calcining said dried precipitate at a temperature of at least 500° C. to remove physically bound water and solvents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein said first solution comprises a zirconium salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein said first solution comprises an yttrium salt in an amount equal to at least 3% by weight of the content of said zirconium salt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said first solution comprises a zirconium salt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein said first solution comprises an yttrium salt in an amount equal to at least 3% by weight of the content of said zirconium salt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said first solution or said second solution is formed with anhydrous ethanol as the solvent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein said first solution or said second solution is formed with anhydrous ethanol as the solvent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein said first solution or said second solution is formed with anhydrous ethanol as the solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein said first solution or said second solution is formed with anhydrous ethanol as the solvent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.