Ceramic Microspheres

US5175133A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Comalco Aluminum Limited · AU

Inventors

• Thomas K. Smith · Forsayth, AU
• Raymond Walter Shaw · New Gisborne, AU
• Christopher J. Heathcock · Melbourne, AU
• Leslie C. Edwards · Melbourne, AU
• Malcolm J. Couper · Ennetbaden, CH
• Kenong Xia · Melbourne, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 1990
• Grant date: Dec 29, 1992
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/12486
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A calcined microsphere of ultrafine bauxite particles having a mean particle size in the range 0.01 to 0.3 micrometers, said microsphere having a particle size less than 30 micrometers and being characterized by a substantially solid form having a pycnometric density substantially falling in the range 3.2-3.9 g/cm.sup.3, a BET surface area substantially falling in the range 0.05 to 0.5 m.sup.2 /g and a crystal grain size less than 4 micrometers, the surface chemistry of the microsphere being modified to enhance the wettability of the microsphere and to improve its ability to bond strongly with matrix materials in use.