A composition for a refractory material comprising a base mixture having a composition in oxide (mol %) as follows: SiO2 between 69% and 73%; Al2O3 between 22% and 28%; TiO2 between 0.4% and 1%; Fe2O3 between 0.2% and 1%; CaO between 0.1% and 1%; MgO between 0.1% and 1%; K.sub.2O between 0.5% and 2%; Na.sub.2O between 0.1% and 0.5%; and comprising a filler mixture comprising at least one from between a schamotte and a smelting agent.

A composition for a refractory material comprising a base mixture having a composition in oxide (mol %) as follows: SiO2 between 69% and 73%; Al2O3 between 22% and 28%; TiO2 between 0.4% and 1%; Fe2O3 between 0.2% and 1%; CaO between 0.1% and 1%; MgO between 0.1% and 1%; K.sub.2O between 0.5% and 2%; Na.sub.2O between 0.1% and 0.5%; and comprising a filler mixture comprising at least one from between a schamotte and a smelting agent.

The invention relates to a method for the production of solid surfaces for construction, in particular large boards made from completely inorganic components, for use as kitchen worktops, bathroom surfaces, building cladding materials, flooring and for other uses related to the field of construction. The invention is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

The invention relates to a method for the production of solid surfaces for construction, in particular large boards made from completely inorganic components, for use as kitchen worktops, bathroom surfaces, building cladding materials, flooring and for other uses related to the field of construction. The invention is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

Methods are described to make strong, tough, and/or lightweight glass-ceramic composites having a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides and other materials. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.

Methods are described to make strong, tough, and/or lightweight glass-ceramic composites having a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides and other materials. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.

Systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares having a high graphite content are disclosed. The methods include employing microwave drying to bring the dryness of the ceramic greenware to a first select dryness and then employing close-coupled hot-air drying to bring the dryness to the final target dryness. The judicious use of close-coupled hot-air drying reduces end defects due to unevenness in the microwave drying process while also substantially speeding up the drying process. Various configurations for and combinations of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air drying are disclosed.

Systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares having a high graphite content are disclosed. The methods include employing microwave drying to bring the dryness of the ceramic greenware to a first select dryness and then employing close-coupled hot-air drying to bring the dryness to the final target dryness. The judicious use of close-coupled hot-air drying reduces end defects due to unevenness in the microwave drying process while also substantially speeding up the drying process. Various configurations for and combinations of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air drying are disclosed.

Material, use thereof and method to manufacture said material; wherein the material is porous and has: a total porosity ranging from 50% to 80%, in particular from 60% to 70%; interconnected pores; at least a part made of a hydrophilic material, in particular at least a part of the inner surfaces of the pores is made of a hydrophilic material; a permeability coefficient (k) greater than 106 m/sec; and wherein, in a given volume of the material (1), the total volume of pores with a diameter ranging from 0.1.Math. to approximately 0.3 nm is at least greater than 15% of the total volume of the pores, preferably it ranges from 15 to 36%.

Material, use thereof and method to manufacture said material; wherein the material is porous and has: a total porosity ranging from 50% to 80%, in particular from 60% to 70%; interconnected pores; at least a part made of a hydrophilic material, in particular at least a part of the inner surfaces of the pores is made of a hydrophilic material; a permeability coefficient (k) greater than 106 m/sec; and wherein, in a given volume of the material (1), the total volume of pores with a diameter ranging from 0.1.Math. to approximately 0.3 nm is at least greater than 15% of the total volume of the pores, preferably it ranges from 15 to 36%.