A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition mainly includes a first crystal phase (KNN phase) and a second crystal phase (NTK phase). In the first crystal phase (KNN phase), a plurality of crystal grains formed of an alkali niobate/tantalate perovskite oxide having piezoelectric characteristics is bound to each other in a deposited state. The second crystal phase (NTK phase) is formed of a compound containing titanium (Ti) and fills spaces between the crystal grains in the first crystal phase.

The present invention aims to provide a piezoelectric composition and a piezoelectric element. In the piezoelectric composition, the main component is represented by the following formula with a perovskite type structure,
(Bi.sub.(0.5x+y+z)Na.sub.0.5x).sub.m(Ti.sub.(x+0.5y)Mg.sub.0.5yMe.sub.z)O.sub.3
wherein, 0.05≦x≦0.7, 0.01≦y≦0.7, 0.01≦z≦0.6, 0.75≦m≦1.0, x+y+z=1 and the transition metal element Me is any one or more selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, Fe and Co.

Disclosed is a solid state electrolyte comprising a compound of Formula 1

Li.sub.7-.sub.a.sub.*α-(b−4)*β−xM.sup.a.sub.αLa.sub.3Hf.sub.2−βM.sup.b.sub.βO.sub.12−x−δX.sub.x   (1)

wherein

M.sup.a is a cationic element having a valence of a+;

M.sup.b is a cationic element having a valence of b+; and

X is an anion having a valence of −1,

wherein, when M.sup.a includes H, 0≤α≤5, otherwise 0≤α≤0.75, and wherein 0≤β≤1.5, 0≤x≤1.5, and (a*α+(b−4)β+x)>0, 0≤δ≤1.

The present invention relates to a metal-halide composite, articles comprising a metal-halide composite and method of making and using same. The metal-halide matrix materials used in such composite have the desired properties of high thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal induced microstructural changes, and ease of use. As a result, they permit the fabrication of higher performance cryogenic magnets, motors, generators, and cables. Additionally, they permit the fabrication of plate reinforced composites that are useful in lightweight armor and other articles. Additionally, an optoelectronic composite could be built depending on the choice of metal-halide matrix and reinforcement.

A precursor of an alumina sintered compact including aluminum, yttrium, and at least one metal selected from iron, zinc, cobalt, manganese, copper, niobium, antimony, tungsten, silver, and gallium. The aluminum content is 98.0% by mass or more as an oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) in 100% by mass of the precursor of an alumina sintered compact; the yttrium content is 0.01 to 1.35 parts by mass as an oxide (Y.sub.2O.sub.3) based on 100 parts by mass of the content of the aluminum as an oxide; the total content of the metals selected from the foregoing group is 0.02 to 1.55 parts by mass as an oxide based on 100 parts by mass of the content of aluminum as an oxide; and the aluminum is contained as α-alumina. Also disclosed is an alumina sintered compact, and a method for producing an alumina sintered compact and for producing abrasive grains.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic formulations that include zinc oxide (ZnO). In particular, varistor ceramic formulations of the invention may include dopants including an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth compound, an oxide of boron, an oxide of aluminum, or a combination thereof. Varistor ceramic formulations may also include other metal oxides. Also provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic materials formed by sintering a varistor ceramic formulation according to an embodiment of the invention. Further provided are varistors formed from such ceramic materials and methods of making such materials.

Ceramic raw material powder includes: a main phase having a perovskite structure, wherein elements acting as a donor and an acceptor are solid-solved in B sites of the perovskite structure, wherein a relationship of (concentration of the element acting as a donor)×(valence of the element acting as a donor−4)<(concentration of the element acting as an acceptor)×(4−valence of the element acting as an acceptor) is satisfied, in a center region of each grain of the ceramic raw material powder, wherein a relationship of (concentration of the element acting as a donor)×(valence of the element acting as a donor−4)>(concentration of the element acting as an acceptor)×(4−valence of the element acting as an acceptor) is satisfied, in a circumference region of each grain of the ceramic raw material powder.

Exemplary embodiments relate to a batch for producing an unshaped refractory ceramic product, to a method for producing a fired refractory ceramic product, to a fired refractory ceramic product and to the use of an unshaped refractory ceramic product.

There is provided a ferrite powder for bonded magnets capable of producing ferrite bonded magnets with high BH.sub.max, excellent in MFR when converted to a compound, with high p-iHc, wherein an average particle size of particles obtained by a dry laser diffraction measurement is 5 μm or less, a specific surface area is 1.90 m.sup.2/g or more and less than 3.00 m.sup.2/g, a compression density is 3.40 g/cm.sup.3 or more and less than 3.73 g/cm.sup.3, and a compressed molding has a coercive force of 2800 Oe or more and less than 3250 Oe.

Green ceramic batch mixtures include: at least one inorganic batch component, preferably cordierite; at least one binder, preferably polyisoprene, poly(vinyl formal), poly(vinyl methyl ether), polybutadiene carboxy terminated; and an inverse emulsion having a continuous phase, an aqueous dispersed phase, and at least one emulsifier, preferably at least one functionalized silicone compound having at least one functional group chosen from a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, hydroxyl-terminated ethylene oxide groups.