Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A process for the manufacture of a sinterable powder comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide, which process comprises: (a) forming an aqueous suspension comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide; (b) introducing into said aqueous suspension at least one surfactant and at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of phenol antioxidants and arylamine antioxidants; (c) grinding the aqueous suspension comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide, the surfactant and antioxidant, thereby forming a ground powder; (d) contacting the ground powder with an aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide; and (e) recovering the ground powder from the aqueous solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for the manufacture of a sinterable powder comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide, which process comprises: (a) forming an aqueous suspension comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide; (b) introducing into said aqueous suspension at least one surfactant and at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of phenol antioxidants and arylamine antioxidants; (c) grinding the aqueous suspension comprising silicon carbide and/or boron carbide, the surfactant and antioxidant, thereby forming a ground powder; (d) contacting the ground powder with an aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide; and (e) recovering the ground powder from the aqueous solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of water in said aqueous suspension is about four times by weight the amount of said silicon carbide and/or boron carbide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the antioxidant is a phenol antioxidant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the antioxidant is at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the surfactant is a quarternary ammonium salt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the ground powder is contacted with a 5-50% by weight aqueous potassium hydroxide solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein contacting with the aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide is carried out under normal pressure at temperatures in the range of from room temperature to the boiling temperature of the aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein contacting with the aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide is carried out under elevated pressure at temperatures of up to 300° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process of claim 1 wherein the ground powder of step (c) is freed from contamination by a grinding residue before being contacted with the aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process of claim 9 wherein the grinding residue comprises iron, and the ground powder is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising hydrochloric acid.