Provided is a wear resistant, sintered body made of a binderless carbide, cermet or cemented carbide, e.g., WC, W2C and/or eta-phase, with a grain size less than 6.0 μm, and less than 6% binder phase (e.g., Co—Ni—Fe). At least some working surfaces of the sintered body are surface treated with a boron yielding method including applying a low viscosity liquid medium having boron or aluminum content and heating at 1200° C. to 1450° C. under a pressure less than atmospheric pressure or a hydrogen containing atmosphere to from a hardness gradient with an increased hardness of the treated working surfaces of at least 50 to 200 HV5 and favorable compressive stresses in a surface zone that gives a tougher working surfaces of the boronized sintered bodies.

An additive manufacturing method may involve: Providing a first material in powder form and a second material as a consumable electrode; forming the first material into a first layer on a base; placing an end of the second material in close proximity to a portion of the first layer; operating a power supply connected to the base and the second material to provide electrical energy sufficient to initiate a chemical reaction between the first and second materials and form a reaction product; feeding additional amounts of the second material while moving the end of the second material along a desired pattern adjacent the first layer, additional reaction products forming additional portions of the article; providing additional quantities of the first material over the first layer to form a subsequent layer; and operating the power supply to form additional portions of the article in the subsequent layer.

Solid or liquid N—H free, C-free, and Si-rich perhydropolysilazane compositions comprising units having the following formula [—N(SiH.sub.3).sub.x(SiH.sub.2—).sub.y], wherein x=0, 1, or 2 and y=0, 1, or 2 when x+y=2; and x=0, 1 or 2 and y=1, 2, or 3 when x+y=3 are disclosed. Also disclosed are synthesis methods and applications for the same.

A sintered ball having: a chemical composition such that, in percentages by mass based on the mass of the ball: 89%≤W≤97%; 5%≤C≤8%; Co≤0.5%; Ni≤0.5%; Elements other than W, C, Co, and Ni, or “Other elements”: ≤3%; a tungsten carbide(s) content greater than 55% in percentage by mass based on the crystallized phases; a bulk density greater than or equal to 14 g/cm.sup.3.

A water-based ballpoint pen contains an aqueous ink composition in which resin particles having an average particle diameter of at least 0.3 μm are blended. The water-based ballpoint pen is provided with a ballpoint pen tip including a writing ball. The writing ball is formed from a mixture that includes a hard phase component comprising tungsten carbide, a binder phase component comprising cobalt and nickel, and chromium.

Organosilicon chemistry, polymer derived ceramic materials, and methods. Such materials and methods for making polysilocarb (SiOC) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials having 3-nines, 4-nines, 6-nines and greater purity. Processes and articles utilizing such high purity SiOC and SiC.

Organosilicon chemistry, polymer derived ceramic materials, and methods. Such materials and methods for making polysilocarb (SiOC) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials having 3-nines, 4-nines, 6-nines and greater purity. Processes and articles utilizing such high purity SiOC and SiC.

Disclosed is a modified preceramic polymer having a polymer backbone consisting of silicon or a combination of silicon and carbon; and a pendant modifier bonded to the backbone wherein the modifier includes silicon, boron, aluminum, a transition metal, a refractory metal, or a combination thereof. The modified preceramic polymer can be used to form a ceramic matrix composite.

Hafnium carbide powder for plasma electrodes is represented by a chemical formula HfC.sub.x (where x=0.5 to 1.0). The content of carbon particles contained as impurities in the hafnium carbide powder is less than or equal to 0.03% by mass. The hafnium carbide powder preferably has an average particle size of 0.5 to 2 μm. To produce the hafnium carbide powder, a pellet made from mixed powder of hafnium oxide and carbon is first placed in a second crucible made of silicon carbide. Then, the hafnium carbide powder is formed by heating the second crucible at 1800 to 2000° C. with the second crucible arranged in a first crucible made of carbon.

Hafnium carbide powder for plasma electrodes is represented by a chemical formula HfC.sub.x (where x=0.5 to 1.0). The content of carbon particles contained as impurities in the hafnium carbide powder is less than or equal to 0.03% by mass. The hafnium carbide powder preferably has an average particle size of 0.5 to 2 μm. To produce the hafnium carbide powder, a pellet made from mixed powder of hafnium oxide and carbon is first placed in a second crucible made of silicon carbide. Then, the hafnium carbide powder is formed by heating the second crucible at 1800 to 2000° C. with the second crucible arranged in a first crucible made of carbon.