PHOSPHORS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SAME

Abstract: A phosphor represented by the formula: Ca 1-x Mg x S:A where A is at least one lanthanide elements, Cu, Ag, Au, Sb, Pb, Bi and Mn; and 0.05 ≦ × ≦ 0.95, with or without a coactivator such as Ba and other elements or phosphorus halide and the like. The phosphor may be produced by firing raw materials in a strong sulfurizing atmosphere. These phosphors have high efficiencies and can be tuned to a desired hue. The phosphor may a mixture of (I-y)CaS:A and y MgS:A where 0.05 ≦ y ≦ 0.95.

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION PHOSPHORS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SAME The present invention relates to a phosphor and a process for producing the same and, is more particulaely concerned with phosphors suitable for cathodoluminescence. Alkaline earth sulfide phosphors are known for use as cathode-ray phosphors having a high energy efficiency. It has been reported that CaS, SrS, MgS, BaS, (Ca,Sr)S, and (Ca,Cd)S can be used as the base material for such phosphors. See, e.g., W. Lehmann and F.-M. Ryan, J. Electrochem. Soc. 118 (1971) 477 Rare earth-activated alkaline earth sulfide phosphors have an advantage--over other-rare eaith-sctiv-ated-ph-osphors type such as Y202S:Eu. The former/emit 'sufficient -fluorescence - even when the concentration of rare earth elements is one type tenth or less as compared with that of the latter This fact along with the low price of the base material greatly contributes to cost saving in the production of cathode-ray phosphors. When it comes to color display, however, rare earthactivated alkaline earth sulfide phosphors do not necessarily give a desirable hue on the chromaticity diagram, because the luminescence center (activator) of rare earth elements gives rise to a specific emission spectrum in the binary compound matrix of the alkaline earth metals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a phosphor which can have a high energy efficiency and can give rise to a desirable hue. A particular object is to provide a phosphor suitable for use in a projection TV tube. The present invention provides a phosphor represented by the formula: Cal xMgxS A where A is at least one of lanthanide elements, Cu, Ag, Au, Sb, Pb, Bi and Mn; and 0.05 < x < 0.95. The invention will be generally discussed and specific examples of it given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the lattice constant and a compositional ratio of the solid solution matrix of the phosphor of this invention. Figures 2, 3 and 4 are graphs illustrating aspects of this invention. Figures 5,6,7 and 8 are diagrams showing the emission spectra of phosphors of the invention. The alkaline earth sulfide phosphor has several outstanding characteristics. It has a high energy efficiency. When used as a cathode-ray phosphor, it maintains its high efficiency even when excited with a high current density or at a high temperature. It causes no change in chromaticity. On account of these characteristics, it is promising as a phosphor for a high-brightness cathode-ray tube such as a projection TV tube. In actual use, it is important to mix matrix crystals for hue adjustment and--to shift the emission spectrum by changing the forbidden band gap. It is difficult for alkaline earth metals to form a complete solid solution of any two or three of their binary compounds-,- because they vary in ionic radius, e.g., 0.78 for Mg,-l.06 A0 for Ca, 1.27 for Sr, and 1.43 -for Boa.¯ So far, only the CaS-SrS compound is known as a complete solid solution. In their experiments in forming mixed crystals of MgS and SrS, the present inventors confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis that the miscible region is limited to about 10% from the either end of the composition. A red phosphor prepared by doping Eu into mixed crystals of SrxMgl xS S having compositions close to either end is extremely low in luminescence intensity as compared with the binary compounds having the composition of either end, because the matrix crystal is remarkably deformed. In an attempt to develop mixed crystal matrixes of alkaline earth metal sulfides other than (Ca, Sr)S mixed crystals, the present inventors prepared (Mg, Ca)S mixed crystals, noting that MgS and CaS are close to each other has been in ionic radius. Although it / reported that MgS and CaS form complete solid solutions only when their mixing ratio is within about 5% from either end (E. M. Levin and H. F. McMurdie, The Phase Diagrams for Ceramists (1965), American Ceramic Society Inc), the present inventors found that the mixture of MgS and CaS forms solid solutions at any mixing ratio when mixed sulfides are below fired in the manner described in the example. Cal xMgxS fired at 1200- ± was studied X-ra; diffraction analysis. graph of Figure 1 shows theXlatt-ice constant vs.-thecompositional---- ratio obtained in this study. The above-mentioned binary compounds of alkalineearth metal sulfides differ ; in their properties as follows; The CaS matrix, when doped with a transition metal ion activator effective for the emission of the three primary colors, has the highest luminescence efficiency (energy efficiency) and is chemically most stable. On the other hand, the MgS matrix provides the emission spectrum having the narrowest half width and has the highest spectrum efficiency (the ratio of brightness to energy efficiency under a condition of constant chromaticity). In addition, MgS matrix containing no oxygen or water that of has a high luminescence efficiency, next tolCaS. Thus, when incorporated as phosphor matrixes, the mixed crystal of Cal xMgxS or the mixture of [(l-y)CaS + yMgS] emits luminescence of high brightness. The linear relationship between lattice constant and compositional ratio as shown in Figure 1 indicates that the CaS-MgS mixed crystal forms complete solid solutions at any compositional ratio x, except in the regions of x 45% and x > 95%. In these nonlinear regions, the resulting mixed crystals are slightly unstable in their structure. In fact, this is supported to some extent by the emission spectrum, as mentioned in the examples. In order for the mixed crystal to be stable and to provide a satisfactory hue, the value of x should preferably be in the range of 0,15 < x < 0.87. In the case, too, where the matrix is prepared from a mixture of CaS and MgS, the principle shown in Figure 1 should be applied. That is, the mixing ratio of the two components should preferably be established outside the regions where y < O,05 and y > 0.95. The reason for this is that the particles of CaS and MgS in the mixture locally form solid solutions when they are brought into contact with one another in the heat treatment process which is carried out to recover the mechanical damage of the particles in the mixing step. The above-mentioned mixture system may be represented by the general formula (ly)CaS:A-+ yMgS:A or (l-y)CaS:A,C + yMgS:A,C, where the value of y is in the range of 0.05 < y < 0.95, A is as defined above and C denotes an element or compound used as a coactivator for the aforesaid solid solution system. In this case, too, the value of y should preferably be in the range of 0.15 < y K 0.87. In both the solid solution system and the mixture system, the quantity of A should preferably be within the range from as A 50 to 10000 ppm. In the case where Eu or Eu + Ce is used,/, the value of x should preferably be in the range of 0.6 < x < 0.95. In both the solid solution system and the mixture system, the quantity of C should preferably be within the range from 1 to 50000 ppm. Outside this range, the coactivator may ' not exhibit its effect Using the mixture system according to this invention has the following advantages. The phosphor particles of CaS and MgS have a particle diameter of 6 to 8 ssm and 3 to 51am, respectively, if they are fired under such condition as to provide a phosphor that has luminescence with the highest efficiency. Presumably, this results from the difference in the ionic radius of alkaline earth metals, and consequently the difference in the lattice constant (i.e., 5.96 for CaS and 5.09 for MgS), On the other hand, the mixed crystal of Cal xMgxS has an intermediate particle diameter of the individual components. The phosphor particles having a uniform particle diameter form spaces among themselves when applied in several layers to a phosphor plate so that the primary electron beam is irradiated onto the phosphor effectively. In contrast with this, the mixture of CaS and MgS having widely different particle diameters (e.g. by 50 - 100%) forms a phosphor coating in which particles are packed together, with the resulting increase in compactness from 10 o 15%. This leads to material saving or cost reduction by -10 to 15%. The other advantage of using the mixture system is as follows: CaS has a band gap of about 4.8 eV and MgS has -- a band gap of about 5.4 eV.- Therefore, MgS-is less conductive than CaS. This means that MgS is liable to chargeup in the surface layer or the internal layer-of the phosphor when the phosphor is subjected to cathode-ray excitation. The mixed crystal of Cal¯xMgxS has an intermediate conductivity, which decreases, due to alloy scattering, below the value expected from the compositional ratio x, and approaches to that of MgS. The effect of charge-up is serious parti a cularly in the case of/low energy electron beam, and MgS and Cal xMgS decrease gradually in luminescence efficiency as the electron beam accelerating voltage is decreased. However CaS and a mixture of CaS and MgS do not decrease in luminescence efficiency even when the accelerating voltage is decreased to 1 kV. Presumably, this is ascribed to the high conductivity of CaS. A mixture system provides an emission spectrum having two peaks and a solid solution system provide an emission spectrum having one peak. Therefore, the latter provides better chromaticity. preferably The phosphor of this invention is/produced by firing in a sulfurizing atmosphere (1) CaS or a Ca compound which forms CaS on firing in a sulfurizing atmosphere, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, or calcium oxide, (2) MgS or a Mg compound which forms MgS on firing in-a sulfurizing atmosphewe, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate,- or-magne- or elements sium oxide, and (3) an element/represente & by A or a comor compounds or elements pound/containing an element/represented by A. The sulfurizing atmosphere means an atmosphere containing only H2S, CS2, or the like which is a sulfurizing gas at the aforesaid firing temperature, or an atmosphere consisting of the aforesaid sulfurizing gas, and an inert gas such as N2 or Ar, and/or a reducing gas such as H2, with the sulfurizing gas being more than 50 mol%. In addition, the phosphor of this invention may be made with a compound containing the element of the co activator. The invention is illustrated by the following examples. Example 1 Sample A of MgS:Eu,Ce was prepared by firing a mixture of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) containing 0.04 mol% of EuS and 0.05 'mol% of Ce2S3 in a quartz crucible in an H2S at mosphere at 11000C for 4 hours, followed by crushing of the fired product -and resulfurization at-12000C for 4 hours. Separately, sample B of CaS:Eu,Ce was prepared by fir ing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) containing 0.05 mol% of Eu203 and 0.01 mol%-of CeO2 in an alumina crucible in the air -at 13000C for 4 hours, and then crushing the fired product and sulfurizing it in an H2S atmosphere at 12000C for 4 hours, followed by crushing again and resulfurization at 1250 C for 2 hours. Sample A in varying amounts ,('x moles )and sample B in corresponding amount of (,l-x) moles were fired in an H2S atmosphere at 12500C for 1 hour. The r-eaction products were found by X-ray diffraction analysis to be the phosphors of mixed cry stal Cal¯xMgx:Eu,Ce having/2lfferent compositions. Figure 2 shows the emission peak wavelength of the resulting phos phors plotted against the compositional ratio x. The emis sion spectrum of one of the resulting phosphors is shown in Figure 5. This one has the compositional ratio of x = 0.75 and the composition of CaO 25Mg0 75S:Eu(0.1 mol%), Ce(0.01 mol%). The CIE chromaticity diagram is expressed by x = 0.660 and y = 0.342. Even when the value of x was varied, the resulting phosphors gave spectra having a single peak. The emission wavelength was maximum when x = 0.4, and it shifted to the shorter side as x was increased. This tendency was pronounced in the region where x > 0.95. Since the brightness for visual sensitivity decreases as the wavelength shifts to the longer side, CaxMgl xS:Eu,Ce gave the highest brightness when x = 1 and the lowest brightness when x was about 0.4. In the regions where x > 0.95 and x < 0.05, it was difficult to control the composition of the solid solution and the reproducibility was poor and the emission spectra were poor in symmetry. -Presumably, this is because-the solid-solu-tion--is unstable in structure as suggested--by Figure 1. With x = 0.85, the phosphor of this example gave almost the same hue as the red phosphor Y202S:Eu which is used for color TV tubes at present. For use as a red phosphor which emits light of 650 nm or less at practical brightnests, the composition with x in the range of 0.6 < x < 0.95 is desirable. Cal xMgxS:Eu gave the same spectrums as shown in Figure 2, but gave brightness 10 to 30% lower than Ca Mg S:Eu,Ce at the same compositional ratio. further examples of In the course of preparing/the solid solution from samples A and B, PC13 was doped into the phosphor from the gas phase in an amount from 50 to 10000ppm. The doped phosphors increased its brightness by as much as 15% at the same compositional ratio. in other examples In the course of mixing samples A and B/, 50 to 10000 ppm of Ba was added. The resulting phosphor had the emis by sion wavelength shifted to longer side/as much as 15 nm at the same compositional ratio, but gave brightness higher than 10% at the maximum. Samples A and B were mixed and fired at 12000C for 5 minutes in an H2S atmosphere, and then cooled slowly to 500 cm. A phosphor was obtained which is based on a mixture having the composition t y)CaS + yMgS]. Mechanical damage caused by mixing is almost recovered by heat treatment. This phosphor has two peaks (or shoulders) in its emission spectrum as shown in Figure 6 when y = 0.75. Nevertheless, in contrast with the solid solution, the hue of this phosphor is easily controlled, without serious deterioration of brightness, with y in the range of 0.05 < y < 0.95. In addition, this phosphor was found to have good reproducibility. Incidentally, the spectrum shown in Figure 6 was obtained when a mixture of 0.2SCaS:Eu(0.l mol%),Ce(0.01 mol%) + 0.75 MgS:Eu(0.04 Bmol%)Ce(0.01 mol%) was excited by 10 kV electron beam. The CIE chromaticity diagram is expressed by x = 0.611 and y = 0.388. Example 2 Cal xMgxS:Ce phosphors were prepared as follows: Magnesium sulfate powder and calcium sulfate powder were mixed at a prescribed molar ratio. The mixture, after addition of 0.01 mol% of Ce2S3 was fired in a quartz crucible at 10000C for 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere. The resulting sulfide was crushed and sulfurized again at 11000C for 3 hours in an xH2S atmosphere. Further,. the resulting sulfide was crushed and sulfurized at 12000C for 4 hours. The relationship between the emission wavelength peak and the compositional ratio of the obtained-phosphor was shown in Figure 3. (The curve in Figure 3 represents the main peak of a shorter wavelength out of the two peaks or shoulders observed.) As in Figure 2, it is noted that the emission wavelength is maximum at approximately x = 0.7 and decreases as x nears either end. The optimum Ce doping concentration is 0.05 to 0.1 mol% for CaS and b.005 to 0.02 mol% for MgS. In the case of Cal Mg S:Ce, the optimum value lies at the middle of the compositional ratio. Figure 3 indicates that the Cal xMg S:Ce phosphor covers emission wavelengths from 520 to 542 nm (green to yellow green) at room temperature and fine hue control within this range is possible, An example of emission spectra obtained by excitation with 10 kV electron beam is shown in Figure 7. (x = 0.75 and Ce concentration is 0.03 mol%) Example 3 Ca ¯YMg xMgxS:Cu (0.1%) phosphonwereprepared as follows: Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate were mixed at a prescribed ratio, and the mixture was fired in an alumina crucible at 12000C for 6 hours in the air. The resulting oxide mixture was sulfurized ih a quartz boat at 12000C for 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere. The resulting sulfide was crushed and sulfurized again at 12000C for 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere. These steps were repeated 3 to 4 times. The resulting Ca1-xMgxS was mixed with 0.1 mol% of CuS and the mixture was sealed in a quartz ampoule-under---- a vacuum of 10 Torr. This ampoule was kept-at 1200 C for 6 hours to give Ca1-x MgxS:Cu (0.1%). The cathodoluminescence spectra . of the resulting phosphors were measured, and the main peak emission wavelengths were plotted against the compositional ratios, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 indicates that the Cal xMgxS:Cu phosphor covers emission wavelengths from 414 to 441 nm (violet to blue) at room temperature and hue control within this range is possible by changing the compositional ratio. An example of emission spectra obtained by excitation with 10 kV electron beam is shown in Figure 8 (x = 0.75). In the above examples, Ca1-xMgxS had incorporated in it Eu (or Eu,Ce), Ce, or Cu as the activator A, or with P-C1 or Ba as the coactivator C, and the relation between peak emission wavelength and compositional ratio x and other emission characteristics of the resulting phosphors were studied. The scope of this invention is not limited to these. The solid solutions may be made with other activators such as Sb (peak wavelength 546 to 572 nm), Pb (peak wavelength 365 to 400 nm),- -Bi-(peak wavelength- 447 to 481 nm), and Mn (peak wavelength 565 to 595 nm), which exhibit high emission-efficiency. Thus, it is possible to obtain almost-all-colors from red- to near ultraviolet withe the phosphors of this invention. - The phosphor Cal¯xMgxS:Au,Cl has peak wave length of of 512 nm at x = 0.2 and 493 nm at x = 0.7; and the phosphor Ca1-xMgxS:Ag,K has = peak wavelengtht.of 339 nm at x = 0.2 and 410 nm at x = 0.7. Example 4 Sample A was prepared by mixing 4 moles of CaO and 1 mole of MgO, and sample B was prepared by mixing 1.5 moles of CaO and 8.5 moles of MgO. These samples A and B were mixed individually with 0.5 mol% each of SrCO3, Li2CO3, K2CO3, and Rb2CO3. The resulting products were designated as follows; Sample A Sample B SrCO3: A-l B-l Li2CO3: A-2 B-2 K2CO3: A-3 B-3 Rb2CO3: A-4 B-4 None: A-5 B-5 Each of these samples was then mixed with 0.05 mol% of EuS and fired at 12000C for 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere. The resulting product was crushed and fired again at 12000C for 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere. Sample A assumed a red color and sample B assumed a red-orange color. These samples were subjected to 27 kV electron beam for excitation at room temperature. The emission characteristics of these samples are shown in Table 1. It is to be noted that there is almost no difference between samples A and B with respect to the emission wavelength, but the emission efficiency was increased by 5% or more by the coactivator Sr or alkali metals. These coactivators are effective for Cal xMgxS:Eut and the same sensitizing effect was observed where Ce was used as the activator. The effect of the coactivator waxes investigated by varying the concentrations of Sr and alkali metals added to Ca015Mg085S:Eu. The sensitizing effect was observed at concentratins from 1 to 50000 ppm. In the case of Sr in concentration higher than 10000 ppm, shift of the peak-to shorter wavelength was observed. Table 1 Emission Relative lumines Sample wavelength cent efficiency No. (nm) (%) A-l 654 105 A-2 656 106 A-3 656 106 A-4 655 107 A-5 656 100 B-l 630 105 B-2 634 109 B-3 634 110 B-4 633 112 B-5 632 100 Example 5 CaSO4 and MgSO4 were mixed at prescribed ratios to prepare four compounds (1-x)CaSO4wxMgSO4 (where x = 0.2, 0,4, 0 6, and 0*8). To the resulting compounds were added 0*01 mol% of Eu2O3 and 0.003 mol% of CeO2. Each of the resulting compounds was divided into four portions, and respectively to these portions were added / 0.3 mol% (1) each of/GaC13, (2) LIDC13, EMI16.1 <tb> (3) <SEP> ACCC,rna <tb> (4) (4) The mixtures were fired at 1100 C fox 3 hours in an H2S atmosphere The fired samples were crushed and fired again at 12000C for 4 hours in an H2S atmosphere. Semiquantitative analyses indicated that the chloride in Cal¯xMgxS:Eu,Ce was reduced to one-third of the initial' quantity. The luminescence of the resulting phosphors was studied at room temperature with 18 kV electron beam. The emission wavelength and relative luminescent efficiency for each compositional ratio are shown in Table 2. It is to be noted that the chlorides of Group III elements act as coactivaton, bringing about sensitizing effects, but cause no change in the peak wavelength. These coactivators exhibit optimum sensitizing effect at concentrations from 1 to 50000 ppm depending on the sample preparation conditions. Outside this range, no good results were obtained. It was also found that these coactivators have a sensitizing effect for Cu, Pb, and Ag activators as well as Eu and Ce activators. Table 2 X 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Peak wave- 655 658 649 637 length (nm) 1 110% 108% 108% 107 2 109 108 109 110 3 105 106 108 108 4 100 100 100 100 Example 6 Cal xMgxS compounds were prepared in the same manner as in Example 5, and/each compound was incorporated in two cases. 0.1 mol% of Cu2S activator and/1000 ppm of Se or Te coactivator. The resulting compounds were fired at 12000C for 10 minutes in an H2S atmosphere with an HC1 flow. The resulting samples were studied for cathodoluminescence at room temperature with 18 kV electron beam. The results are shown in Table 3. (Sample No. l.wa's prepared by adding 1000 ppm of Se; Sample No. 2 was prepared by adding 1000 ppm of Te; and Sample No. 3 contained neither Se nor Te.) It is to be -noted that Se -and Te are -effective as the coacti- vator for Cal xMgxS:Cu in the presence of halogen. It was found that Se--and Te are also-effective for Eu, Ce, Mn, and Bi. Table 3 x 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Peak wave- 422 433 442 440 length (nm) Relative lumines cent intensity No. 1 112% 112% 115% 118% No. 2 106 108 107 109 No. 3 100 100 100 100 As mentioned above, the phosphors of this invention which are represented by Ca1-xMgxS:A, Ca1-xMgxS:A,C, (1-y)CaS:A + yMgS:A3, and [(l-y)CaS:A,C + yMgS:A,C] (wherein 0.05 < x K 0.95 and 0.05 C y < y 0.95) are capable of being adjusted to a specific emission spectrum or a specific hue, which heretofore has been obtained by adding an activator to CaS or MgS,) within a certain range of wavelengths without deterioration of the emission efficiency. They are particularly suitable as the phosphors of color display devices. The term "lanthanide elements" includes yttrium.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A phosphor represented by the formula: Ca Mcr A where A is at least one of lanthanide elements, Cu, Ag, Au, Sb, Pb, Bi, and Mn, and 0.05 < x < 0.95. 2. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein 0.15 ( x < 0.87. 3. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is at least one of the lanthanide elements. 4. A phosphor as claimed in claim 3 wherein A is Eu and 0.6 < ¯x < 0.95. 5. A phosphor as claimed in claim 3 wherein A is Eu and Ce and 0.6 < x < 0.95. 6. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A.is Cu. 7. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is Ag. 8. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is Au. 9. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is Sb. 10. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is Pb. 11. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein A is Bi. 12. A phosphor as claimed in claim 1 wherein A is Mn. 13. A phosphor as claimed in any one of claims 1,2,3 and 6 to 13, which further contains as a coactivator at least one element or compound selected from Ba, Sr, halogens, alkali metals, nitrogen halides, phosphorus halides, arsenic halides, gallium halides, indium halides, aluminum halides, selenium halides, and tellurium halides. 14. A phosphor mixture comprising (1) a component represented by the formula: (l-y)CaS:A and (2) a component represented by the formula: yMgS:A where, in each case, A is at least wne of lanthanide elements, Cu, Ag, Au, Sb, Pb, Bi and Mn, and in each case 0.05 < y < 0.95. 15. A phosphor mixture as claimed in claim 14 wherein A is, in each case, at least one lanthanide element. 16. A phosphor mixture as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein 0.15 < y ( 0.87. 17. A phosphor mixture as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 where at least one of components (1) and (2) further contains as a coactivator at least one element or compound selected from Ba, Sr, halogens, alkali metals, nitrogen halides, phosphorus halides, arsenic halides, gallium halides, indium halides, aluminum halides, selenium halides, and tellurium halides. 18. A process for producing a phosphor according to any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising firing, in a sulfurizing atmosphere, (1) CaS or a Ca compound which forms CaS on firing in said atmosphere, (2) MgS or a Mg compound which forms MgS on firing in said atmosphere, and (3) the element(s) A or a compound containing the element(s) A. 19. A process as claimed in claim 18, wherein said firing is performed at a temperature from 1000 to 13500C. 20. A prbcess as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said sulfurizing atmosphere comprises at least H2 S and CS2. 21. A process as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said sulfurizing atmosphere is a mixture composed of at least one sulfurizing gas selected from H2 S and CS2 and at least one gas selected from inert gases and reducing gases, and said sulfurizing atmosphere contains more than 50 volt of said sulfurizing gas. 22. A process as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein said Ca compound is one or more of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate and calcium oxide. 23. A process as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein said Mg compound is one or more of magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, and magnesium oxide. 24. A process as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein at least one of components (1) and (2) contain as a coactivator at least one of Ba, Sr,halogens, alkali metals, nitrogen halides, phosphorus halides, arsenic halides, gallium halides, indium halides, aluminum halides, selenium halides and tellurium halides, which is added at the time of firing.

Inventors: KANEHISA, OSAMU, KASANO, HIROYUKI, KAWAMATA, YOUJI, MEGUMI, KOICHI, YAMAMOTO, HAJIME
Applicants: HITACHI, LTD.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: C09K11
IPC codes: C09K11