Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the exterior of the peripheral wall for centrifuging dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into at least two compartments. The first and second molten thermoplastic materials are supplied to the spinner and directed into alternate ones of the compartments so that adjacent compartments contain different thermoplastic materials. Passages are located in each of the compartments through which the molten thermoplastic materials flow to the orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner. At least some of the passages have branches which form a common inlet adjacent to the interior of the peripheral wall and which communicate with at least two different orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. The baffles are positioned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to about 75.degree. from vertical, and most preferably about 45.degree. from vertical. The number of orifices on the spinner peripheral wall can thus be increased to increase the throughput of fibers from the spinner while still maintaining a minimum required spacing between orifices for the structural integrity of the spinner.

Abstract: A glass fiber insulation product comprises irregularly-shaped glass fibers of two different glasses having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, with the irregularly-shaped dual-glass fibers exhibiting a substantially uniform volume filling nature, and providing improved recovery and thermal conductivity abilities even in the absence of a binder material.

Abstract: Ceramic or ceramic-like single, two, or multilayer coatings having aluminum nitride as one of the layers are provided, including methods for the preparation of such coatings which produce planarizing, passivating and hermetic barrier coatings on temperature sensitive substrates such as semiconductors and electronic devices. The aluminum nitride ceramic or ceramic-like coating is provided by applying a liquid alkylaluminum amide having the formula (R.sub.2 AlNH.sub.2).sub.3, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, neat or diluted in an organic solvent. The liquid coating is then dried, followed by heating the coating to a temperature of between about 400.degree. to about 100.degree. C. in the presence of ammonia to produce an aluminum nitride-containing ceramic coating.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is provided which includes the reaction product of vinylidene chloride, an optional copolymerizable monomer, and an .alpha.,.beta. ethylenically unsaturated silane crosslinking agent. The polymeric reaction product may also be used to form films and coatings. The composition further may include a volatile blowing agent which, when activated, expands the polymeric reaction product into a low density cellular structure.