Patent ID: 7341970

Claim:
A ceramic article exhibiting a thermal expansion of 0.3×10 −7 /° C. or less over a temperature ranging from 25° C. to 800° C., comprising a composition having a needle-like morphology and comprising x(A)+y(Z 2 O 5 ), where x and y are mole fractions of each component such that x+y=1, wherein: a. A is R′O 2 , wherein: R′ is selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr), and 0.15≦x≦0.80 when R′ is Ti, and 0.05≦x≦0.76 when R′ is Zr; and b. Z is niobium (Nb), wherein: 0.2≦y≦0.95 for Nb 2 O 5 .