Patent ID: 6461562
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: C04B

Abstract:
A method of making a metal oxide article, comprising the steps of:pressing powder to form a compact, said powder consisting essentially of a first oxide of the metal; and subjecting said compact to a heat treatment, said heat treatment causing said powder to sinter into a unitary body and resulting in the transformation of at least a portion of said first oxide to a second oxide of the metal; wherein said step of subjecting said compact to said heat treatment comprises the steps of: subjecting said compact to a first temperature such that at least a portion of said first oxide transforms to said second oxide; and subjecting said compact to a second temperature after said step of subjecting said compact to said first temperature, thus causing at least a portion of said second oxide to transform to said first oxide; the resultant metal oxide article having an open interconnected pore structure.