The present invention relates to a granular thermal insulation material comprising hydrophobized silicon dioxide and at least one IR opacifier, having a tamped density of up to 250 g/l and a compressive strength according to DIN EN 826:2013 at 50% compression of 150 to 300 kPa or greater than 300 kPa, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof for thermal insulation.

An automated preparation method of a SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube, comprising the following steps: preparing an interface layer for a SiC fiber by a chemical vapor infiltration process, and obtaining the SiC fiber with a continuous interface layer; laying a unidirectional tape on the SiC fiber with the continuous interface layer and winding the SiC fiber with the continuous interface layer to form and obtaining a preform of a net size molding according to a fiber volume and a fiber orientation obtained in a simulation calculation; and adopting a reactive melt infiltration process and the chemical vapor infiltration process successively for a densification and obtaining a high-density SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube in a full intelligent way. The SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube prepared by the present disclosure not only has a high temperature resistance, but also has a low thermal expansion coefficient, high thermal conductivity and high thermal shock resistance.

An automated preparation method of a SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube, comprising the following steps: preparing an interface layer for a SiC fiber by a chemical vapor infiltration process, and obtaining the SiC fiber with a continuous interface layer; laying a unidirectional tape on the SiC fiber with the continuous interface layer and winding the SiC fiber with the continuous interface layer to form and obtaining a preform of a net size molding according to a fiber volume and a fiber orientation obtained in a simulation calculation; and adopting a reactive melt infiltration process and the chemical vapor infiltration process successively for a densification and obtaining a high-density SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube in a full intelligent way. The SiC.sub.f/SiC composite flame tube prepared by the present disclosure not only has a high temperature resistance, but also has a low thermal expansion coefficient, high thermal conductivity and high thermal shock resistance.

A gas plug of the present disclosure is composed of a columnar porous composite in which a plurality of silicon compound phases containing silicon carbide as a main component are connected to each other via a silicon phase having silicon as a main component. The porous composite is housed inside a tubular body made from a dense ceramic.

An article including a base material of zirconium oxide, an intermediate layer located on the base material, and a surface treating layer formed from a surface treating agent containing a fluorine-containing silane compound located on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more metal oxides. Also disclosed is a process for forming the surface treating layer and a process for producing the article.

An article including a base material of zirconium oxide, an intermediate layer located on the base material, and a surface treating layer formed from a surface treating agent containing a fluorine-containing silane compound located on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more metal oxides. Also disclosed is a process for forming the surface treating layer and a process for producing the article.

Provided are ceramic foams. The ceramic foams may have a hierarchical pore gradient. The ceramic foams may be silica aerogels. The ceramic foams may be made by reaction of one or more precursors in the presence of an inert gas generated by a pore-forming gas-forming additive. The ceramic foams may be used as insulating materials.

Provided are ceramic foams. The ceramic foams may have a hierarchical pore gradient. The ceramic foams may be silica aerogels. The ceramic foams may be made by reaction of one or more precursors in the presence of an inert gas generated by a pore-forming gas-forming additive. The ceramic foams may be used as insulating materials.

An article is described herein that includes: a glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic substrate comprising a primary surface; at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film disposed over the primary surface; and an easy-to-clean (ETC) coating comprising a fluorinated material that is disposed over an outer surface of the at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film. The at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film comprises an average hardness of 10 GPa or more. Further, the outer surface of the at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film comprises a surface roughness (R.sub.q) of less than 1.0 nm.

An article is described herein that includes: a glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic substrate comprising a primary surface; at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film disposed over the primary surface; and an easy-to-clean (ETC) coating comprising a fluorinated material that is disposed over an outer surface of the at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film. The at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film comprises an average hardness of 10 GPa or more. Further, the outer surface of the at least one of an optical film and a scratch-resistant film comprises a surface roughness (R.sub.q) of less than 1.0 nm.