A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with two different yttrium-containing compositions and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with two different yttrium-containing compositions and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

A ceramic ink for digital printing, preferably for inkjet printing, comprises at least one solid part comprising at least one ceramic pigment or dye; and at least one liquid part into which said ceramic pigment or dye is dispersed and comprising one or more vehicles and/or one or more dispersants; wherein at least one of either the one or more vehicles or the one or more dispersants comprises one or more organic or inorganic silicon compounds.

A ceramic ink for digital printing, preferably for inkjet printing, comprises at least one solid part comprising at least one ceramic pigment or dye; and at least one liquid part into which said ceramic pigment or dye is dispersed and comprising one or more vehicles and/or one or more dispersants; wherein at least one of either the one or more vehicles or the one or more dispersants comprises one or more organic or inorganic silicon compounds.

A ceramic green sheet including a plurality of substrate forming regions. A barcode or a two-dimensional code is drawn in a portion of the ceramic green sheet. The barcode or the two-dimensional code is obtained by encoding one or more of the following information. Information relating to raw materials used when the ceramic green sheet is produced, information relating to molding conditions of the ceramic green sheet, information relating to a release agent used when a plurality of the ceramic green sheets are stacked, or a serial number.

A ceramic green sheet including a plurality of substrate forming regions. A barcode or a two-dimensional code is drawn in a portion of the ceramic green sheet. The barcode or the two-dimensional code is obtained by encoding one or more of the following information. Information relating to raw materials used when the ceramic green sheet is produced, information relating to molding conditions of the ceramic green sheet, information relating to a release agent used when a plurality of the ceramic green sheets are stacked, or a serial number.

An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, and suction and pressure sides that join the leading end and the trailing end. The airfoil wall is formed of a silicon-containing ceramic. A first environmental barrier topcoat is disposed on the suction side of the airfoil wall, and a second, different environmental barrier topcoat is disposed on the pressure side of the airfoil wall. The first topcoat is vaporization-resistant and the second topcoat is resistant to calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate.

An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, and suction and pressure sides that join the leading end and the trailing end. The airfoil wall is formed of a silicon-containing ceramic. A first environmental barrier topcoat is disposed on the suction side of the airfoil wall, and a second, different environmental barrier topcoat is disposed on the pressure side of the airfoil wall. The first topcoat is vaporization-resistant and the second topcoat is resistant to calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate.

A method to produce a protective surface layer having a predetermined topography on a ceramic matrix composite is described. The method includes applying a slurry layer to a surface of a fiber preform, and drying the slurry layer to form a particulate layer. A surface of the particulate layer is machined to improve surface smoothness and to form a machined surface. A ceramic tape is attached to the machined surface, and a tool comprising one or more features to be imprinted is placed on the ceramic tape, thereby forming a compression assembly. Heat and pressure are applied to the compression assembly to consolidate and bond the ceramic tape to the machined surface, while the one or more features of the tool are imprinted. Thus, a protective surface layer having a predetermined topography is formed.

A method to produce a protective surface layer having a predetermined topography on a ceramic matrix composite is described. The method includes applying a slurry layer to a surface of a fiber preform, and drying the slurry layer to form a particulate layer. A surface of the particulate layer is machined to improve surface smoothness and to form a machined surface. A ceramic tape is attached to the machined surface, and a tool comprising one or more features to be imprinted is placed on the ceramic tape, thereby forming a compression assembly. Heat and pressure are applied to the compression assembly to consolidate and bond the ceramic tape to the machined surface, while the one or more features of the tool are imprinted. Thus, a protective surface layer having a predetermined topography is formed.