The invention relates to a process for preparing an Al/TiC nanocomposite material comprising an aluminum matrix in which particles comprising nano-sized TiC are dispersed. It comprises: a) preparing a first powder mixture by contacting a graphite powder with a titanium aluminide powder of the formula Al.sub.3Ti, both powders having micro- or higher sized particles; b) preparing a second powder mixture by mechanosynthesis of the first powder mixture, the second powder mixture being formed in all or part by particles comprising both titanium aluminide and graphite; c) compressing the second powder mixture to obtain one or more greens; d) reactively sintering the green(s), thereby the Al/TiC nanocomposite material is obtained.

A formulation containing polymer, resin and cement combined with aggregate can be used as a gunnable mix that is applied to a surface by being conveyed pneumatically in dry form to a nozzle, where water is added. Polymer in the gunnable mix enables it to adhere and bond to a surface, such as carbon brick, of a lining of a vessel used for the containment of molten metals. The formulation may be used, for example, to repair and protect blast furnace hearth linings.

A foamed colloidal silica binder having a total porosity of about 50% to about 95% by volume can be used to make porous refractory compositions and refractory articles having a porosity of about 25% to about 75% by volume. The foamed colloidal silica binder endures mixing with refractory ingredients to form the porous refractory composition, casting the refractory composition into a refractory shape, and drying the shape to form to refractory article, without significant collapsing of the foam. The resulting lightweight refractory articles are useful in a wide variety of insulating and weight-reducing applications.

A porous refractory composition containing a foamed colloidal silica binder, and porous refractory articles made from it, are provided. The foamed colloidal silica binder has a total porosity of about 50% to about 95% by volume and includes a synthetic, non-protein foaming agent mixed with colloidal silica and water. The foamed colloidal silica binder has sufficient durability and integrity to withstand the mixing with dry refractory ingredients to form a porous refractory composition, casting the refractory composition into a refractory shape, and drying the shape to form a porous refractory article having a porosity of about 25% to about 75% by volume. The resulting refractory articles have excellent high-temperature durability and insulating properties.

An electric surface heating structure is provided. The electric surface heating structure includes a building structural unit, contacts, electrical wire and power source. The building structural unit consists of a post-hardening mixture ofwater15-30 mass % of cement or cementitious binder, 45-80 mass % of aggregates being an electrically conductive aggregate and a non-conductive aggregate, 0.5-10 mass % of semiconductor and carbon-based aggregates, 2-10 mass % of fibrous material, 0.1-5 mass % of an admixtures which improves the processing and/or the mechanical properties. A method for producing an electric surface heating structure is provided. A post-hardening mixture of water, 15-30 mass % cement, 45-80 mass % aggregates and 2-10 mass % fibrous material is produced. 0.5-10 mass % of semiconductor and carbon-based aggregates are added to the mixture before post-consolidation, a post-hardening building structural unit is formed by spreading or pouring the mixture into a formwork and contacts.

Granulate material for a radical chain-growth polymerization based coating formulation, adapted to minimize inhibition of resin polymerization by ambient air, composition of granulate material, coating formulation kit, and process for applying a radical chain-growth polymerization based coating formulation kit.

Granulate material for a radical chain-growth polymerization based coating formulation, adapted to minimize inhibition of resin polymerization by ambient air, composition of granulate material, coating formulation kit, and process for applying a radical chain-growth polymerization based coating formulation kit.

A composite thermal member for storing thermal energy is disclosed. The composite thermal member comprises a refractory material, a binder material, a thermal energy storage material and a glassy outer protective layer. Also disclosed is a method of forming a composite thermal member for storing thermal energy.