The invention relates to a sintered molding with a color gradient for use in the manufacture of dental restorations, obtainable by sintering a compression-molded element comprising five or more different ceramic powder layers, each powder layer comprising at least two different base powders and each base powder containing at least 80 wt. % ZrO.sub.2, each weight amount being relative to the total weight of the base powder.

A retaining wall having a plurality of courses of retaining wall blocks including a first upper course and a second lower course. Each retaining wall block has opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and at least one weight bearing pad extends from one of the upper and lower surfaces. The at least one weight bearing pad extends substantially from the rear face to the front face of the block. The weight bearing pads are the only areas of contact between the blocks in the first upper course and the blocks in the second lower course.

Disclosed are a stone-plastic floor and a method of preparing the same. The resin substrate of the stone-plastic floor of the present disclosure is prepared by using raw materials with specific components and amounts, without using any plasticizing agent, toughening agent and foaming agent and without environmental hidden dangers. The resulting stone-plastic floor has high strength, high hardness, excellent shrinkage performance and no environmental hidden dangers, and can tolerate direct sunshine, and has good stability and long service life for use safety. The method of preparing the stone-plastic floor of the present disclosure has simple processes, enabling online continuous production with high production efficiency.

The invention relates to a method for processing a dental material (28), in particular pressing and curing a dental material, by means of—a molding insert (30) that has a pre-pressing area (22) which adjoins a molding area (14, 16), wherein the pre-pressing area (22) is designed to receive the dental material (28), and—a pressing furnace with a firing chamber (10) for receiving the molding insert (30). The method has the following steps: —introducing the dental material (28) into the pre-pressing chamber (22); —heating the firing chamber (10), in which the molding insert (30) is located, pressing the dental material (28) towards the molding area (14, 16) using a pressing punch (26) by applying a force onto the pressing punch (26) during a first processing phase, wherein the pressing punch (26) is moved, and the pressing punch speed is detected as a speed profile dependent on the time; and adjusting the firing chamber (10), in particular cooling the firing chamber to a second temperature, during a second processing phase starting at a point in time at which the detected speed profile matches a first speed profile without reducing the force applied to the pressing punch (26).

The invention relates to a method for processing a dental material (28), in particular pressing and curing a dental material, by means of—a molding insert (30) that has a pre-pressing area (22) which adjoins a molding area (14, 16), wherein the pre-pressing area (22) is designed to receive the dental material (28), and—a pressing furnace with a firing chamber (10) for receiving the molding insert (30). The method has the following steps: —introducing the dental material (28) into the pre-pressing chamber (22); —heating the firing chamber (10), in which the molding insert (30) is located, pressing the dental material (28) towards the molding area (14, 16) using a pressing punch (26) by applying a force onto the pressing punch (26) during a first processing phase, wherein the pressing punch (26) is moved, and the pressing punch speed is detected as a speed profile dependent on the time; and adjusting the firing chamber (10), in particular cooling the firing chamber to a second temperature, during a second processing phase starting at a point in time at which the detected speed profile matches a first speed profile without reducing the force applied to the pressing punch (26).

Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 μm and about 30 μm and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 μm and about 30 μm and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

An alumina ceramic integrated hot press molding machine and working method thereof, including a pressing and hot pressing device fixed accordingly on a rack, a stirring device inside the hot pressing device, and a hot pressing mold above the hot pressing device; the pressing device enables one path of high-pressure air to act on the mold, and enables the other path to enter the hot pressing device, so the slurry flows into a cavity of the mold; the stirring device stirs the slurry inside the device, so alumina blanks are more evenly distributed therein; and temperature detection components for detecting the temperature of internal oil and the slurry at a slurry outlet are inside the hot pressing device, and the power of an electric heating device is adjusted and controlled in real time according to the temperature detected by the components, to achieve the purpose of accurate temperature control.

A multicolor light-storing ceramic for fire-protection indication and a preparation method thereof are provided. The preparation method includes: adding a glass based raw material, a light-storing powder, a dispersant and an alumina powder into a granulator, adding water mixed with a pore-forming agent and then mechanically stirring for granulation; adding a plasticizer after the stirring of 4˜8 h, and continuing the stirring for 1˜3 h to thereby obtain a mixture; packing the mixture into a mold and performing tableting; demolding and obtaining a light-storing self-luminous quartz ceramic by drying and firing using a kiln; printing a pattern onto a surface of the ceramic and then curing to obtain a light-storing ceramic for indication sign. Using an industrial waste glass has advantages of low sintering temperature and green environmental protection; dispersed pores and alumina introduced as scattering sources improves light absorption efficiency, fluorescence output phase ratio and light transmission of the ceramic.

A multicolor light-storing ceramic for fire-protection indication and a preparation method thereof are provided. The preparation method includes: adding a glass based raw material, a light-storing powder, a dispersant and an alumina powder into a granulator, adding water mixed with a pore-forming agent and then mechanically stirring for granulation; adding a plasticizer after the stirring of 4˜8 h, and continuing the stirring for 1˜3 h to thereby obtain a mixture; packing the mixture into a mold and performing tableting; demolding and obtaining a light-storing self-luminous quartz ceramic by drying and firing using a kiln; printing a pattern onto a surface of the ceramic and then curing to obtain a light-storing ceramic for indication sign. Using an industrial waste glass has advantages of low sintering temperature and green environmental protection; dispersed pores and alumina introduced as scattering sources improves light absorption efficiency, fluorescence output phase ratio and light transmission of the ceramic.