Abstract: Reflective aluminum trim for use in automobiles, trucks, boats and a variety of household and industrial appliances is produced by forming aluminum strip into a desired shape, followed by selective application of a fluoropolymer protective coating to only a partial portion of the show surface of the shaped strip and the application of a thermoplastic to the portions of the show surface not covered by the protective coating. The resulting trim piece has a highly reflective aluminum show surface which has a high distinctness of reflected image. The thermoplastic is preferably co-extruded onto the shaped aluminum strip using an adhesive to bond the thermoplastic directly to an un-coated portion of the aluminum surface. Prior to application of the thermoplastic, a single heating step may be used to cure both the protective coating and the adhesive.

Abstract: A lightweight tailgate assembly for pickup trucks includes several metal panels that are preferably made from a single metal sheet, a plastic reinforcing module between inner and outer metal panels, and fastener means joining the reinforcing module to the inner panel. A preferred assembly also includes hinge means for connection with truck body, and latch means for locking the assembly between opposed rear corner posts in a truck body. A particularly preferred tailgate assembly made with AA 6022 aluminum alloy sheet and a reinforcing module containing nylon and glass fibers weighs about half as much as a conventional steel struck tailgate.

Abstract: Oil and oil additives separated from a contaminated solid particulate filter medium, preferably diatomaceous earth particles. Portions of a mixture of oil, oil additives and the filter medium are compressed into pellets that are extracted with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 to form a liquid solution. The solution is separated from the pellets and then heated to 20.degree.-60.degree. C. at a superatmospheric pressure to drive off CO.sub.2 gas, which is preferably recycled by compression into liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for reduction of a metal oxide to a metal and oxygen has an inert anode and an upwardly angled roof covering the inert mode. The angled roof diverts oxygen bubbles into an upcomer channel, thereby agitating a molten salt bath in the upcomer channel and improving dissolution of a metal oxide in the molten salt bath. The molten salt bath has a lower velocity adjacent the inert anode in order to minimize corrosion by substances in the bath. A particularly preferred cell produces aluminum by electrolysis of alumina in a molten salt bath containing aluminum fluoride and sodium fluoride.

Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. A knee bolster is connected by two metal crush tubes to the driver side cross tube. Two metal crush tubes connect a glove box door frame to the passenger side cross tube. The instrument panel reinforcement structure offers about a 40% weight saving compared with similar systems made with steel components.

Abstract: A method for making catalyst particles having improved resistance to surface area loss through thermal degradation. The particles are preferably metal oxide particles and more preferably alumina hydrate particles having a surface area of at least about 150 m.sup.2 /g. The particles are mixed with an organic monomer, preferably furfuryl alcohol. The monomer is polymerized to form polymer coated metal oxide particles. Thereafter, the polymer coated particles are treated with a phosphorus-containing acid or salt.

Abstract: A lithographic sheet material comprising a metal substrate coated with a non-photosensitive thermoplastic adhesive layer, and a coating of mineral or metal particles adhered to and within the adhesive layer. A photosensitive layer is coated over the particles.

Abstract: A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: An inert electrode material is made by reacting at an elevated temperature a mixture preferably comprising iron oxide, at least one other metal oxide, copper and silver. The reaction produces a material having ceramic phase portions and alloy phase portions, wherein the alloy phase portions have copper-rich interior portions and silver-rich exterior portions. Inert anodes made with a reaction mixture containing copper and silver have lower wear rates than inert anodes made with copper and no silver.

Abstract: A method for treating cyanide contaminated water is disclosed. This method generally involves passing the contaminated water through a bed containing elemental iron, to form a precipitate by a reaction between the iron and any of various cyanide species which exist in the water. The method can be applied either above ground or in situ in the subsurface environment.

Abstract: A printing plate is made by coating a metal substrate with a polymer layer having an outer surface, coating the polymer layer with solid particles having an average particle size of less than about 30 microns, and compressing the solid particles so that most of them are below the polymer layer outer surface. The solid particles are preferably alpha-alumina particles having an average size of about 1-10 microns. The printing plate has improved wear resistance.

Abstract: A process for making an inert electrode composite wherein a metal oxide and a metal are reacted in a gaseous atmosphere at an elevated temperature of at least about 750.degree. C. The metal oxide is at least one of the nickel, iron, tin, zinc and zirconium oxides and the metal is copper, silver, a mixture of copper and silver or a copper-silver alloy. The gaseous atmosphere has an oxygen content that is controlled at about 5-3000 ppm in order to obtain a desired composition in the resulting composite.

Abstract: A composition and process for making an insulating refractory material. The composition includes calcined alumina powder, flash activated alumina powder, an organic polymeric binder and a liquid vehicle which is preferably water. Starch or modified starch may also be added. A preferred insulating refractory material made with the composition has a density of about 2.4-2.6 g/cm.sup.3 with reduced thermal conductivity, compared with tabular alumina. Of importance, the formulation has good abrasion resistance and crush strength during intermediate processing (commercial sintering) to attain full strength and refractoriness, good abrasion resistance and crush strength.

Abstract: A process for stretch forming hollow metal bodies, such as aluminum alloy extrusions. The extrusions are stretched longitudinally, bent transversely of the pulling direction, and then subjected to pressure from an incompressible fluid in a hollow interior. In a preferred embodiment, the incompressible fluid is water at a pressure sufficient to deform at least part of the extrusion outwardly of its hollow interior. The incompressible fluid reduces dimensional distortions in the shaped product.

Abstract: A hollow metal body is shaped by a process including simultaneous stretching and bending. The body is stretched longitudinally by pulling end portions in opposite directions with sufficient force to exceed an elastic limit and to initiate elongation through plastic deformation. While the body is being stretched longitudinally, it is bent between its end portions transversely of the direction of pulling. Solid polymeric first and second mandrels are inserted into end portions of the body to prevent collapse during bending.

Abstract: Sodium oxalate is precipitated from spent Bayer process liquor by mixture with a low total alkalinity (TA) sodium oxalate seed solution that has been treated with two or more adsorbents to remove organic poisons from the sodium oxalate. The adsorbents are preferably two different adsorbents selected from activated carbon, ESP dust, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. Surprisingly, combination treatments with activated carbon and ESP dust are most effective even though ESP dust alone has little effect on oxalate removal.

Abstract: A process for making an aluminum alloy lighting sheet product having a reflective surface protected by a UV-stable polymer coating. An aluminum alloy sheet is chemically brightened in an aqueous acidic solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. Alternatively, an aluminum alloy sheet is chemically etched in an aqueous alkaline solution, conversion coated, and then coated with a UV-stable polymer. Preferably, the UV-stable polymer contains about 0.5-10 wt. % amorphous silica particles. In another embodiment, an aluminum alloy sheet surface is cleaned, chemically conversion coated and then coated with a coating composition containing a UV-stable polymer and 0.5-10 wt. % of about 0.5-5 microns.

Abstract: A process for making lithographic sheet material. A metal sheet substrate is coated with a thermoplastic adhesive layer, and a particle layer is adhered to and within the adhesive layer while it is near its melting point. The adhesive layer is preferably polyethylene terephthalate and the particle layer preferably contains alumina particles.

Abstract: A peelable and heat sealable lidstock material comprises a metal or polymer substrate laminated with a film comprising a mixture of a butene-1 and ethylene copolymer, an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, an inorganic filler and optionally, a propylene homopolymer or copolymer. The filler makes up at least about 18 wt. % of the mixture and is preferably talc having an average particle size of about 1-2 microns and a carboxylic acid surface coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for improving the brightness level of aluminum hydroxide removed from a caustic solution. The method comprises:(a) pre-filtering the solution to remove contaminants therefrom; and (b) contacting the filtered solution with an adsorbent consisting essentially of a calcined compound having the formula: A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y C.sub.z.nH.sub.2 O wherein A represents a divalent metal cation selected from the group consisting of: Mg.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Ca.sub.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ ; B represents a trivalent metal cation selected from the group consisting of: Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+ and Cu.sup.3+ ; C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion selected from the group consisting of: OH.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.- CH.sub.3 COO.sup.-, C.sub.2 O.sub.4.sup.2-, CO.sub.3.sup.2-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, PO.sub.4.sup.3-, Fe(CN).sub.6.sup.3- and Fe(CN).sub.6.sup.4- ; and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following: 0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq. 1/2 y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.