Abstract: The instant invention involves a process for producing continuous polybenzimidazole films. The process is comprised of the following steps:(a) preparing a solvent solution of a polybenzimidazole polymer;(b) continuously casting the solution upon a support;(c) evaporating a sufficient amount of the solvent to form a self-supporting film in an oven;(d) washing the film in a nonsolvent;(e) removing the film from the support; and(f) continuously collecting the continuous film.

Abstract: A volatile foaming agent for thermoplastic foam is a blend of about 65 to 75 weight percent chlorodifluoro-methane and from about 25 to 35 weight percent pentane.

Abstract: A method of making a solid core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim, includes introducing a foamable composition into a mould cavity having a substantially inflexible mould surface. The cavity is suitably shaped so that a core locatable between a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the rim can be moulded therein. The composition is allowed to foam, thereby to fill the mould cavity. Air and excess composition is allowed to vent from the cavity via an elongate vent slit extending along a major portion of the cavity. The foamed core thus moulded in the cavity is removed from the cavity on the composition having set at least partially.

Abstract: A method of forming hollow, porous elastomeric bodies and hollow, duo-layered elastomeric bodies wherein one layer is porous and contiguous with the other layer which is solid by (a) coating a surface of a mandrel with a coating liquid, (b) adhering a layer of water-elutable particles onto the coated mandrel surface, (c) applying a layer of fluid elastomer composition to the particle-coated mandrel surface wherein the elastomeric composition is capable of forming a water-insoluble elastomer, (d) causing said elastomeric composition to form a cohesive mass while in contact with the particle-coated mandrel surface, (e) dissolving said elutable particles from the cohesvie mass with a water-based solvent, and (f) removing the cohesive mass from the mandrel. The coating liquid comprises water and may also further comprise a wetting agent and/or a sugar. The invention also relates to the method wherein the water-elutable particles are adhered to the mandrel surface by heating the mandrel surface.

Abstract: A system for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to have a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to means for signaling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signaling means are activated. In a modification of the present invention, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signaled to persons in the area.

Abstract: A process for producing a foamed thermoplastic resin article is disclosed, comprising separately melt kneading the first thermoplastic resin composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin and 10 to 400 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the first thermoplastic resin of a filler and constituting an unfoamed layer at the time of extrusion molding, and the second thermoplastic resin composition comprising a second thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent and constituting a foamed layer at the time of extrusion molding, by the use of extruders, and extruding the two resin compositions in the form of laminate through a T die.

Abstract: Prefoamed particles of a polyolefin resin are produced by dispersing starting particles of the polyolefin resin, which contains a volatile foaming agent, in a dispersant in a pressure vessel, heating the resultant dispersion to a temperature of at least the softening point of the starting particles in said pressure vessel and then opening the vessel at one end thereof so as to release the starting particles and dispersant into an atmosphere of a pressure lower than the internal pressure of the vessel. The release of the starting particles and dispersant is performed while feeding a heating liquid.

Abstract: A tangled fibrous material from cut glass fibre bundles, with the cut glass fiber bundler being fed into a compressed air flow and a glass fibre-laden air being deflected into a turbulent eddy flow of varying direction, so that a tangled fibrous material of wadding-like consistency is formed. Through the simultaneous addition of dry polymer-based binder powder, it is possible to obtain a tangled fibrous material as a starting product for a production of glass fibre-reinforced plastic moundings, which can be compressed to a felt. This can be packed as an intermediate or further processed in a heated belt press to glass fibre-reinforced plastic plates.

Abstract: A high-strength cross-laminated film with a foam core, particularly a cross-laminated film made by counter-rotating dies, and a method of producing the laminated film. The high-strength cross-laminated tubular film web is produced by counter-rotating dies; which will allow for the orientation of each extruded film layer in a different direction so as to form a cross-laminate, and whereby, concurrently with the extrusion of the molten layers, there is interposed a formed adhesive material polymer between the layers so as to provide a weak bonding or adherence therebetween while imparting a thick feel to the laminated film.

Abstract: An unsaturated compound having a vinyl or vinylidene group is rapidly in-mold polymerized by mixing the unsaturated compound containing a polymerization initiator and the unsaturated compound containing a polymerization accelerator, pouring the mixture into a mold cavity and polymerizing the monomer for not longer than 30 minutes.

Abstract: Polymerized foam material in flat billet form is enclosed in a heat-retaining envelope and heated to forming temperature then promptly loaded into an innovative unheated forming press and accurately formed before cooling below forming temperature. The heat-retaining envelope has an expansive skin on one side and a contractive skin on the other side to facilitate bending without wrinkling or other distortion. The forming press utilizes a rigid male form punch and a spring-tensioned elastic belt, supported on a pair of variably-spaced rollers, initially presenting a flat compliant surface upon which the heated workpiece is placed. Pressure from the form punch progressively deflects the workpiece and the belt, which becomes a compliant mold member conforming itself and the workpiece progressively around the form punch to yield an article of required carved shape, free of wrinkles or tool creep distortions.

Abstract: Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparation of a fluoropolymeric film on a carrier, comprising:(a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer;(b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt;(c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering zone to remove excess dispersion;(d) drying the metered coated carrier to remove the water from the dispersion; and(e) heating the dried coated carrier to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion between the carrier belt and the dispersion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoropolymeric film.

Abstract: A process which comprises (i) the generation of release surfaces by application to predetermined areas of a solid surface of a solution, suspension or dispersion of a release agent and a supercritical fluid that vaporizes from the release agent, (ii) the deposition of a mass onto the release surface containing the release agent, and (iii) the separation of the mass or a product derived from the mass from such surface covered by the release agent. Novel apparatus for carrying out the process are described.

Abstract: A method of producing a crosslinked, uniformly foamed article of a polypropylene resin is provided. The polypropylene resin containing a crosslinking agent and a foaming agent is extruded through a long-land die which is provided with a choking die at an intermediate portion thereof; a lubricant is provided on the inner surface of the long-land die; the crosslinking agent is decomposed in the front stage of the long-land die; and the foaming agent is decomposed in the rear stage of the long-land die.An ethylene-propylene random copolymer resin which contains 2 to 10 wt. % of ethylene and has a melt flow rate of 5 g/10 minutes or more at 230.degree. C. and a melt expansion ratio of 1.4 of less at 190.degree. C. is used as the polypropylene resin.

Abstract: An asymmetrical membrane for use in dialysis and ultra-filtration is prepared using a polyester-amide (TATE).sub.n, wherein T represents a radical of terephthalic acid, A represents a radical of hexamethylenediamine, and E represents a radical of hexanediol, in a solvent of formic acid or in a solvent comprising a solution of lithium chloride in dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide. The polyester-amide (TATE).sub.n is formed into a thin layer and placed into an aqueous coagulation bath to coagulate the resulting membrane. The membrane has a thickness of from 15 to 190 .mu.m, a water permeability of from about 3 up to about 9 liters/m.sup.2 /hour for a .DELTA.P of 300 mm.sub.HG and is permeable for substances having a molecular weight of up to about 17,000.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring and controlling foam sheet blow-up in a thermoformer oven. Control of the oven operation is achieved through monitoring the measured blow-up of a material in the thermoformer oven at a sensing location in a forming station receiving said material from said oven in order to regulate the thickness of the plastic material prior to its conveyance into said forming station.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing polyethylene open-cell foam materials, comprising a process step of pressurized heating at a temperature of 110.degree. to 135.degree. C. of a base compound consisting of polyethylene or a copolymer of polyethylene which has been compounded with an azodicarbonamide foaming agent and a bridging agent, in order to obtain a primary intermediate product with a cubical expansion coefficient of 1.0 to 2.0 times; a process step of heating the primary intermediate product under normal atmospheric pressure at a temperature of 150.degree..about.190.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a molded article of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene which is characterized by compression-molding, or heating and pressurizing a porous sheet of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The porous sheet may be superposed with a substrate, and may be wrapped around a deformable member of a mold and densified by deformation of said member.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped article from a stock of preformed, thermoplastic, syntactic foam material of hollow microspheres in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, comprising heating the preformed syntactic foam to a temperature above the softening point of thermoplastic polymer matrix and applying differential pressure over at least one surface of the foam material through the medium of a plastically deformable diaphragm member to cause the foamed material to conform to a desired shape. Shaped articles of syntactic foam material, optionally having a surface coating of unfoamed, preferably fibre reinforced thermoplastics materials are provided in a more versatile and convenient manner than curing or sintering syntactic foam material in a mould.