In a novelty study conducted on the subject matter of this application, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,649,310; 3,649,342; 3,796,564; 3,859,399; and 3,882,210 were cited. While each of these patents deals with the manufacture of dense solid articles of silicon carbide and/or other materials, none of the patents disclose the effect of a small niobium carbide addition to a basic mixture used to form a beta silicon carbide article and the strengths that are achieved in the finished article with such additions.
The cited patents do not, in any manner, teach that an addition of from about 1/16% by weight to no more than 1/4% by weight of niobium carbide particles to a molding mixture which includes beta silicon carbide particles for forming a beta silicon carbide article will result in an unexpected increase in the strength of the final product produced by the molding mixture.
We are unaware of any prior art which, in any way, discusses the increase in strength which may be achieved by a minor addition of niobium carbide particles to a molding mixture used to form beta silicon carbide articles.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method for making beta silicon carbide articles in which an increase in strength is achieved.