A ceramic precursor batch composition comprising inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients, a binder, an aqueous solvent and a heteroatom polyol agent. The heteroatom polyol agent can be represented by X(R) where X is at least one of S, N, and P, and R is at least two of CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH, CH.sub.2(CHOH)CH.sub.3, C(CH.sub.2OH).sub.1-3, CH.sub.2OH, CH(CH.sub.2OH)CHOH, C(O)(CHOH).sub.1-4CH.sub.2OH, and CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.3. The presence of the heteroatom polyol agent provides a composition with a lower viscosity and/or a greater batch stiffening temperature (T.sub.onset) allowing for increased rates of extrusion. Methods for producing a ceramic honeycomb body using this ceramic precursor batch composition are also provided.

The present application discloses a ceramic preform, a method of making a ceramic preform and a metal matrix composite comprising a ceramic preform. In one exemplary embodiment, the ceramic preform comprises a ceramic compound compressed into the shape of a cylinder by rotational compression molding. The cylinder has an inner surface and an outer surface. A first liner may be attached to the inner surface of the cylinder and a second liner may attached to the outer surface of the cylinder. The metal matrix composite of the present application may be formed as a brake drum or a brake disc.

The present application discloses a ceramic preform, a method of making a ceramic preform and a metal matrix composite comprising a ceramic preform. In one exemplary embodiment, the ceramic preform comprises a ceramic compound compressed into the shape of a cylinder by rotational compression molding. The cylinder has an inner surface and an outer surface. A first liner may be attached to the inner surface of the cylinder and a second liner may attached to the outer surface of the cylinder. The metal matrix composite of the present application may be formed as a brake drum or a brake disc.

Disclosed is a gas sensing material for methylbenzene detection. Specifically, the gas sensing material includes a nanocomposite of Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 and ZnCr.sub.2O.sub.4. The content of Cr in the nanocomposite is from 67.0 at. % to 90.0 at. %, based on the sum of the contents of Cr and Zn atoms. The gas sensing material is highly selective to methylbenzenes over other gases and is highly sensitive to methylbenzenes. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the gas sensing material. The methods facilitate control over the composition of the gas sensing material and enable rapid synthesis of the gas sensing material at low temperature. Also disclosed is a gas sensor including the gas sensing material.

Disclosed is a gas sensing material for methylbenzene detection. Specifically, the gas sensing material includes a nanocomposite of Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 and ZnCr.sub.2O.sub.4. The content of Cr in the nanocomposite is from 67.0 at. % to 90.0 at. %, based on the sum of the contents of Cr and Zn atoms. The gas sensing material is highly selective to methylbenzenes over other gases and is highly sensitive to methylbenzenes. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the gas sensing material. The methods facilitate control over the composition of the gas sensing material and enable rapid synthesis of the gas sensing material at low temperature. Also disclosed is a gas sensor including the gas sensing material.

A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb segment bonded member including; a plurality of prismatic columnar shaped honeycomb segments; and a bonding layer bonding the segments, wherein one honeycomb segment has a bulge on one side face, extending in an axial direction, another honeycomb segment has a recess on one side face, extending in the axial direction, the one honeycomb segment and the another are disposed adjacent and bonded to each other via the bonding layer with the bulge inserted in the recess, length of the bulge is smaller than length of the one side face of the one honeycomb segment, length of the recess is smaller than length of the one side face of the another honeycomb segment, a base part of the bulge is defined with a bent side face, an angle between an imaginary bottom face and the bent side face of the bulge being 60° or more.

A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb segment bonded member including; a plurality of prismatic columnar shaped honeycomb segments; and a bonding layer bonding the segments, wherein one honeycomb segment has a bulge on one side face, extending in an axial direction, another honeycomb segment has a recess on one side face, extending in the axial direction, the one honeycomb segment and the another are disposed adjacent and bonded to each other via the bonding layer with the bulge inserted in the recess, length of the bulge is smaller than length of the one side face of the one honeycomb segment, length of the recess is smaller than length of the one side face of the another honeycomb segment, a base part of the bulge is defined with a bent side face, an angle between an imaginary bottom face and the bent side face of the bulge being 60° or more.

A honeycomb structure, including: a plurality of pillar shaped honeycomb segments, each of the pillar shaped honeycomb segments including a partition wall and a plugged portion; and a joining layer arranged so as to join side surfaces of the pillar shaped honeycomb segments to each other. The honeycomb structure satisfies the following equations (1) to (3):
y≤1000  (1);
y≤717.92x.sup.−0.095  (2); and
y≥462.4x.sup.−0.153  (3),
in which y is a maximum temperature (° C.) at which the use of the honeycomb structure is accepted, and x is a thermal conduction factor represented by the following equation:
thermal conduction factor=(thermal conductivity of the partition wall×thermal conductivity of the joining layer)/(average thickness of the joining layer×porosity of the partition wall).

A honeycomb structure, including: a plurality of pillar shaped honeycomb segments, each of the pillar shaped honeycomb segments including a partition wall and a plugged portion; and a joining layer arranged so as to join side surfaces of the pillar shaped honeycomb segments to each other. The honeycomb structure satisfies the following equations (1) to (3):
y≤1000  (1);
y≤717.92x.sup.−0.095  (2); and
y≥462.4x.sup.−0.153  (3),
in which y is a maximum temperature (° C.) at which the use of the honeycomb structure is accepted, and x is a thermal conduction factor represented by the following equation:
thermal conduction factor=(thermal conductivity of the partition wall×thermal conductivity of the joining layer)/(average thickness of the joining layer×porosity of the partition wall).

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a porous ceramic body, which includes: (S1) mixing silica powders having a particle size of 0.045˜0.5 mm, zircon flour and wax, thus preparing a ceramic mixture; (S2) placing the ceramic mixture into a mold, thus producing a green body; and (S3) sintering the green body at high temperature, thus obtaining a porous ceramic body, wherein the silica having a particle size of 0.1˜0.5 mm is contained in an amount of 50˜80 wt % based on the total weight of the porous ceramic body; and also which produces a bulk porous ceramic body having good strength and leaching properties with excellent dimensional stability and shape stability.