Abstract:
USING DISPERSING AGENTS, SLIPS FORMED OF A VOLATILE FLUID AND CONTAINING 80 TO 90% OF DISCRETE ALPHA ALUMINA PARTICLES WITH A MEDIAN DIAMETER OF 0.3 TO 2.5 MICRONS AND HAVING A VISCOSITY ABOVE 5000 CENTIPOISE ARE MADE. THE SLIP IS THEN FORMED INTO THREADS IN AN EVAPORATIVE ENVIRONMENT TO CONCURRENTLY REMOVE A PORTION OR ALL OF THE LIQUID INGREDIENT THUS FORMING SELF SUPPORTING FIBERS WHICH ARE THEN SINTERED.
Abstract:
Production of a low-soda alumina by calcining an alumina starting material of low-soda content at 1,100*-1,400* C followed by leaching. The starting alumina material contains less than 0.25 percent by weight soda, and the final alumina contains less than 0.1 percent by weight soda. The calcining is continued until the product is at least 75 percent by weight alpha alumina. Reduction in amount of soda from the alumina starting material to the final alumina product is at least 75 percent.