A device for converting a carbon pill into graphene is provided including a space between at least two electrically conductive surfaces, wherein the electrically conductive surfaces are configured to support a carbon pill in the space. The device also includes at least two electrodes electrically coupled to the at least two electrically conductive surfaces. The device also includes a power supply connected to the electrodes for passing a current through the electrodes to convert the carbon pill into graphene. A carbon pill for graphene conversion is also provided including a first carbon material for synthesizing to graphene by joule heating. The first carbon material is compressed from a powder form into a pill form. The carbon pill includes a second material for at least one of binding the first carbon material from a powder form into a pill form and improving conductivity of the first carbon material.

The present invention relates to a sintered concrete having the following mean chemical composition, as mass percentages on the basis of the oxides and for a total of 100%: ZrO.sub.2: 55 to 70%, SiO.sub.2: 25 to 40%, P.sub.2O.sub.5: 0.2 to 9.0%, Al.sub.2O.sub.3: 0.5 to 7.0%, CaO: >0.2%, CaO+MgO+B.sub.2O.sub.3+Fe.sub.2O.sub.3: 0.2 to 10.0%, MgO+B.sub.2O.sub.3+Fe.sub.2O.sub.3: 7.5%, B.sub.2O.sub.3+MgO: 4.5%, ZrO.sub.2+SiO.sub.2+P.sub.2O.sub.5+Al.sub.2O.sub.3+CaO+MgO+B.sub.2O.sub.3+Fe.sub.2O.sub.3: 95.0%,
and containing more than 70% of zircon, as a mass percentage on the basis of the mass of the crystalline phases.

A composition which comprises a soluble or partially soluble phosphate, a refractory material and less than 1% of an oxide or hydroxide of magnesium or calcium. The composition may be mixed with water to form an investment casting slurry into which a wax pattern may be dipped. Slurry coated onto the pattern may be set by applying a stucco composition which comprises an oxide or hydroxide of magnesium or calcium. Coats of set slurry may be built up on the pattern to form an investment casting shell.

A precast refractory block for a coke oven having high hot strength and stable under-load expansion/shrinkage behavior at high temperatures. Specifically, a silica-based precast refractory block contains a P.sub.2O.sub.5 component in an amount of 0.3 to 2.0 mass %.

Provided are thermally insulating materials comprising 1 to 95 wt % ceramic oxide, 1 to 30 wt % inorganic binding agent, and treated at a temperature of less than about 1000 C.; processes for producing the insulating materials; and uses thereof.

A composition of matter and method of forming a radiation shielding member at ambient temperatures in which the composition of matter includes a cold-fired chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix; with one or more suitably prepared and distributed radiation shielding materials dispersed in the cold-fired chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix.

The invention concerns a batch for manufacturing a refractory ceramic product, a method for applying a gunning mass or casting mass to a surface, a method for manufacturing a refractory ceramic product, a refractory ceramic product as well as the use of a batch.

The invention relates to a refractory dry vibratable mix which sets at room temperature when water is added, for use in metallurgical vessels and comprising a refractory main component, a binder and a retarder.

The invention provides a refractory containing monopotassium phosphate, magnesium oxide, alumina, and water. Also provided is a method for making a variable utility refractory, including combining MKP with a metal oxide and alumina to create a dry mixture, adding polar fluid to the dry mixture to create a slurry, and applying the slurry to a substrate to protect the substrate from thermal cycling at temperatures between 1300 to 1600 C.

The invention provides a refractory containing monopotassium phosphate, magnesium oxide, alumina, and water. Also provided is a method for making a variable utility refractory, including combining MKP with a metal oxide and alumina to create a dry mixture, adding polar fluid to the dry mixture to create a slurry, and applying the slurry to a substrate to protect the substrate from thermal cycling at temperatures between 1300 to 1600 C.