Abstract: A process and apparatus for filling a generally tubular autmotive silencer casing with glass fibres are characterized by the feature of filling the casing from both ends simultaneously, preferably with the aid of spacer elements temporarily located on the ends of the casing during the filling step, any overflow of fibres into these elements being subsequently pushed into the casing to give a uniform density fill prior to installing end caps. The process/apparatus preferably also features bulking of the fibres by passing them through a specific jet configuration more than one of which may be used at each filling station.

Abstract: A process for making a dispersion-based asbestos strand for later twisting to form a yarn comprises (a) forming an elongate continuous stream from an aqueous coagulable dispersion comprised of asbestos fibres, water and dispersion-forming chemicals; (b) coagulating said dispersion in said stream to form a self-sustaining asbestos fibre strand containing coagulated dispersion-forming chemicals together with uncoagulated residues thereof and water; (c) while said strand is in an untwisted state removing substantially the whole of the coagulated dispersion-forming chemicals and said uncoagulated residues thereof; and (d) adjusting the water content of the strand to provide an untwisted strand formed substantially wholly of said asbestos fibres and containing not more than 20% by weight of water.