A process for treating a substrate made of stone material, preferably in the form of slabs, is provided which process improves the mechanical, thermal and catalytic properties of the substrate. The process includes applying a protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate made of stone material and, to improve adhesion of the protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate, preliminarily subjecting the substrate to one or more pre-treatment steps that eliminate or reduce the presence of pollutants and porosity on the surface of the substrate. The pre-treatment of the substrate made of stone material comprises at least one step of treatment under vacuum conditions inside an autoclave, preferably under pressure conditions lower than 10.sup.2 mbar. Then, after having brought the substrate back to ambient pressure, it is possible to apply and effectively adhere the protective coating to the surface of the stone material.

A process for treating a substrate made of stone material, preferably in the form of slabs, is provided which process improves the mechanical, thermal and catalytic properties of the substrate. The process includes applying a protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate made of stone material and, to improve adhesion of the protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate, preliminarily subjecting the substrate to one or more pre-treatment steps that eliminate or reduce the presence of pollutants and porosity on the surface of the substrate. The pre-treatment of the substrate made of stone material comprises at least one step of treatment under vacuum conditions inside an autoclave, preferably under pressure conditions lower than 10.sup.2 mbar. Then, after having brought the substrate back to ambient pressure, it is possible to apply and effectively adhere the protective coating to the surface of the stone material.

Provided are a SmFeN magnetic powder which is superior not only in water resistance and corrosion resistance but also in hot water resistance, and a method of preparing the powder. The present invention relates to a method of preparing a magnetic powder, comprising: plasma-treating a gas; surface-treating a SmFeN magnetic powder with the plasma-treated gas; and forming a coat layer on the surface of the surface-treated SmFeN magnetic powder.

Provided are a SmFeN magnetic powder which is superior not only in water resistance and corrosion resistance but also in hot water resistance, and a method of preparing the powder. The present invention relates to a method of preparing a magnetic powder, comprising: plasma-treating a gas; surface-treating a SmFeN magnetic powder with the plasma-treated gas; and forming a coat layer on the surface of the surface-treated SmFeN magnetic powder.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

A method for enhancing mechanical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. A porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body may be treated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to sintering. Alternatively, zirconia ceramic powder may be coated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to forming a shaped ceramic body. After sintering, the resulting ceramic bodies have enhanced mechanical properties, such as greater fracture toughness, without a significant decrease in optical properties.

A method for enhancing mechanical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. A porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body may be treated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to sintering. Alternatively, zirconia ceramic powder may be coated with a tantalum-containing composition prior to forming a shaped ceramic body. After sintering, the resulting ceramic bodies have enhanced mechanical properties, such as greater fracture toughness, without a significant decrease in optical properties.

The invention relates to ceramic colours comprising effect pigments and a sol-gel based glassy matrix for decoration of metallic, ceramic and glassy articles and to a process for the preparation of a ceramic glaze.

The invention relates to ceramic colours comprising effect pigments and a sol-gel based glassy matrix for decoration of metallic, ceramic and glassy articles and to a process for the preparation of a ceramic glaze.