In a method for manufacturing ceramic substrates and module components, an unfired mother ceramic substrate is cut at predetermined positions for division into separate unfired ceramic substrates. The cut unfired mother ceramic substrate is pressed such that pressure is applied parallel or substantially parallel to its main surfaces so that the cross-sectional end surfaces created in the cutting step are joined. The unfired mother ceramic substrate including end surface junctions, resulting from joining of the cross-sectional end surfaces, is fired. The fired mother ceramic substrate is broken along the end surface junctions to divide it into separate ceramic substrates.

An elongate shaped abrasive particle comprises an elongate shaped ceramic body having opposed first and second ends joined to each other by at least two longitudinal sidewalls. At least one of the at least two longitudinal sidewalls is concave along its length. At least one of the first and second ends is a fractured surface. Methods of making elongate shaped abrasive particles and abrasive articles including them are also disclosed.

In a method for manufacturing ceramic substrates and module components, an unfired mother ceramic substrate is cut at predetermined positions for division into separate unfired ceramic substrates. The cut unfired mother ceramic substrate is pressed such that pressure is applied parallel or substantially parallel to its main surfaces so that the cross-sectional end surfaces created in the cutting step are joined. The unfired mother ceramic substrate including end surface junctions, resulting from joining of the cross-sectional end surfaces, is fired. The fired mother ceramic substrate is broken along the end surface junctions to divide it into separate ceramic substrates.

An extrusion method and apparatus are described for producing ceramics, glass, glass-ceramics, or composites suitable for use as proppants. The method includes forming one or more green body materials, extruding the green body materials to form a green body extrudate, separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and sintering the green bodies to form proppants. The apparatus includes a means for forming an intimate mixture of green body materials, means to produce a green body extrudate, means for separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and means to sinter the green green bodies to form proppants.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.