Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
Porous cordierite ceramics having an interconnecting open cellular structure, which have been formed by the process which comprises providing a starting solution containing in an organic or aqueous organic solvent an alkyl silicate and aluminum and magnesium salts soluble in said organic solvent in a proportion of 44-65% by weight, 25-43% by weight and 10-16% by weight in terms of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and MgO, respectively, subjecting said starting solution to spray thermal decomposition in the presence of an oxidizing gas to form a hollow microspherical cordierite glass powder, processing said glass powder to a shaped body after an optional heat treatment, and thereafter firing said shaped body at a temperature above 1000° C., wherein said interconnecting open cellular structure comprises individual hollow spheres having spherical shells which are interconnected with a number of open pores existing in the spherical shells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Porous cordierite ceramics having an interconnecting open cellular structure, which have been formed by the process which comprises providing a starting solution containing in an organic or aqueous organic solvent an alkyl silicate and aluminum and magnesium salts soluble in said organic solvent in a proportion of 44-65% by weight, 25-43% by weight and 10-16% by weight in terms of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and MgO, respectively, subjecting said starting solution to spray thermal decomposition in the presence of an oxidizing gas to form a hollow microspherical cordierite glass powder, processing said glass powder to a shaped body after an optional heat treatment, and thereafter firing said shaped body at a temperature above 1000° C., wherein said interconnecting open cellular structure comprises individual hollow spheres having spherical shells which are interconnected with a number of open pores existing in the spherical shells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said organic solvent is selected from a lower alkanol with 1-5 carbon atoms, a dihydric or trihydric lower alcohol, a (lower alkoxy) lower alkanol and a lower dialkyl ketone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said alkyl silicate is selected from tetraalkyl silicates in which the alkyl moiety is a lower alkyl with 1-5 carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said organic or aqueous organic solvent contains one or more metal compounds capable of affording Na 2 O, K 2 O, TiO 2 or ZrO 2 and soluble in the organic or aqueous organic solvent in an amount up to 5% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said firing of the shaped body is effected at a temperature above the crystallization temperature but below the melting point of cordierite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said spray thermal decomposition is carried out by spraying the starting solution together with an oxidizing gas from a nozzle into a heated reaction zone or the flame of a burner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said processing of the glass powder to a shaped body is effected by molding, extruding, calendering, a curing-in-liquid method, a liquid drying method, a spray drying method or a freeze drying method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Porous cordierite ceramics according to claim 1, wherein said heat treatment is carried out at a temperature below 950° C.