February 7, 2005

PRESS RELEASE

AMERICAN ELEMENTS ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF NEW 12 MOL. % YTTRIA STABILIZED ZIRCONIA

[February 7, 2005, Los Angeles, CA] American Elements announced today the addition to its product line of stabilized zirconia powders, a new 12 Mol. % Yttria stabilized zirconia, Product Code ZRY12-OX.

American Elements’ 12 Mol. % yttria stabilized zirconia is the highest available yttria concentration in any commercially available YSZ. The added level of yttrium provides for full stabilization of the zirconia under certain types of extreme firing and atmospheric conditions. The development marks a technological advancement over 8 Mol. % YSZ and is of immediate value to numerous advanced ceramic applications. American Elements will continue to manufacture the standard fully stabilized 8 Mol. % YSZ, as well, as 5 Mol. % and 6 Mol. % partially stabilized zirconia.

American Elements is a Los Angeles based global manufacturer and developer of engineered and advanced materials with the world’s largest industrial catalogue of rare earth materials accessible electronically at www.americanelements.com. For further information on the new Chinese rare earth tax rates, please contact your local American Elements distributor or American Elements U.S. corporate headquarters at (1)310-208-0551, FAX (1)310-208-0351 or customerservice@americanelements.com.