Sol gel-derived ceramic bubbles
US5077241A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1988 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2/08
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Discrete, free-flowing, ceramic microbubbles consist essentially of at least one of a non-oxide component and an oxide component having diameters in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers and each having a wall thickness of less than 10 percent of the diameter of the bubble. In the process of the invention, a sol precursor and a suitable liquid, referred to as a bloating agent, when added to a bubble promoting medium under proper conditions, provide green gelled microbubbles which after firing are ceramic microbubbles having wall thicknesses less than 10 percent of the diameter of the bubbles. The microbubbles are non-vitreous, sol-gel derived, fine microstructured, uniform, hollow, smooth, and are either essentially all oxide or non-oxide or combinations of both.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.