Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydroxybenzyl alcohols, comprising condensing phenol with formaldehyde in an alkaline solution to form a mixture of ortho- and para-hydroxymethyl phenols, and solvent extracting unreacted phenol from the resulting alkaline hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution. The phenol-reduced hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution is particularly suited for treatment with excess caustic and subsequent oxidation of the resulting aqueous solution of ortho- and para-hydroxybenzyl alcohols-sodium salt to yield the corresponding ortho- and para-hydroxybenzaldehydes-sodium salt.

Abstract: A noble metal catalyst, such as palladium, is activated by successive and sequential reactions with an alcohol, such as hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and oxygen or a gas containing oxygen in an aqueous, preferably alkaline, medium, The catalyst activated in the aforementioned manner is particularly useful for the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes.

Abstract: Continuous method and apparatus for treatment of a solid material submerged in a body of liquid wherein the material is sticky and/or has weak tensile strength. The material is supported, while it is so submerged, by a dynamic layer of the liquid lying between the material and a moving surface. The method is illustrated by heating and thereby foaming a strip of heat foamable thermoplastic resin while it is held submerged in a denser heat transfer liquid by a dynamic layer of that liquid generated by a moving belt above the foaming material. In an example, expandable high density polyethylene strip is foamed continuously while it is so held submerged in molten salt.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium salts, such as methyl tributyl ammonium chloride, are novel catalysts in a nitrile-forming reaction which comprises stirring together aqueous sodium cyanide and the undistilled m-trifluoromethyl benzyl chloride product of the reaction of chloromethyl methyl ether, chlorosulfonic acid and trifluoromethyl benzene from which chloromethyl ether impurities, methanol, water and some of the unreacted trifluoromethyl benzene are removed. The process is conducted under alkaline conditions in a two-phase liquid reaction medium. m-Trifluoromethyl benzyl nitrile is prepared in excellent yields and purity.

Abstract: A continuous method for foaming foamable thermoplastic resin by floating the resin upon a heated liquid bath while heating it from above by flooding the upper surface of the floating resin material with a blanket of a liquid at substantially the same temperature as the heated bath. In an example, the flooding liquid is pumped from the heated bath and sprayed over the upper surface of the floating resin material.

Abstract: A pattern plate for use in printing has an etched sheet of magnesium laminated to a self-supporting, dimensionally stable, all-plastic base structure of adhesive ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer layer and poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheet. The magnesium sheet is preferably of minimal thickness corresponding to the maximum depth of etch, e.g. 30 mils, and is bonded to the adhesive ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer layer, e.g. ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer layer, which is bonded to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheet.

Abstract: Combustible fuel slurries are prepared by admixing solid particulate carbonaceous material, liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline, fuel oil, and the like, and a particulate cross-linked organic liquid-swellable, organic liquid-insoluble polymer composed of at least 50 mole percent of at least one alkylstyrene. Such slurries are mobile and readily processable in conventional fuel oil transporting, storage, and burning equipment.

Abstract: Combustible fuel slurries are prepared by admixing solid particulate carbonaceous material, liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline, fuel oil, and the like, a polar liquid flocculating third phase, and a wetting agent having an HLB value in the range of about 6.5 to about 10 and which is soluble in the third phase. Such slurries are mobile and readily processible in conventional fuel oil transporting, storage, and burning equipment.

Abstract: Curable filled thermoplastic resin compositions of polymer resin such as high density polyethylene, fillers such as calcium carbonate, and trivinylisocyanurate are curable under free-radical initiating conditions to cured compositions having unexpectedly increased tensile properties and toughness together with expected greater stiffness.

Abstract: Low density, closed cell, soft foam products having dimensional stability are made from ethylenic resins having low stiffness, especially comprising copolymers consisting essentially of ethylene and monoethylenically unsaturated non-ionic comonomers, by release to lower pressure of a flowable, foamable gel under pressure, e.g., by extrusion foaming, wherein the gel comprises the ethylenic polymer and a volatile mixed blowing agent. The stating polymers are preferably copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate having stiffness less than about 20,000 psi. The mixed blowing agents are particularly characterized as mixtures of at least one fluorocarbon constituent I and at least one fluorocarbon constituent II, as defined. Exemplary mixtures contain (I) 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane and (II) from 25 to 50 percent chloropentafluoroethane, octafluoropropane or octafluorocyclobutane based on the mixtures of I and II.

Abstract: A railroad crosstie is constructed from at least two individually distinct rail support blocks interconnected by a web system which is fastened to the blocks and which comprises at least one self-supporting rigid sheet member adapted to be buried in the roadway ballast when the tie is in place. The blocks are selected to support and secure rails in conventional manner, and the interconnecting web system holds the blocks in relative position in the roadbed. The rigid sheet member adapted to be buried in the roadway ballast is advantageously disposed or provided with means such as horizontal longitudinal corrugations to interact mechanically with the particles of standard railroad ballast, whereby the tie resists being withdrawn from the roadbed.

Abstract: Polymerization of ethylene by free-radical initiation at high temperature and pressure in a stirred autoclave by continuous process is improved by means of cooling at inner wall in contact with polymerization reaction mixture and removing part of the exothermic heat of polymerization reaction by indirect heat transfer to heat exchange fluid.