Abstract: A process for the rapid annealing of refractory fiber is disclosed. Air at a temperature of 750.degree. F. (400.degree. C.) to 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.) is passed through a refractory fiber body for a period of 5 to 200 seconds while the body is held securely in place for dimensional integrity. Apparatus for performing the process of this invention comprises an annealing unit containing opposed foraminous platens and means for passing hot air through the platens and through the fiber body retained between the platens or opposed foraminous belts and adjacent conduits and means for passing the hot annealing air through the conduits and belts and through the fiber body retained between the belts. The process and apparatus may be used to produce fiber bodies of a single material or laminated bodies of a plurality of interlocked layers, which may be of different fiber materials.

Abstract: A process for the rapid annealing of refractory fiber is disclosed. Air at a temperature of 750.degree. F. (400.degree. C.) to 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.) is passed through a refractory fiber body for a period of 5 to 200 seconds while the body is held securely in place for dimensional integrity. Apparatus for performing the process of this invention comprises an annealing unit containing opposed foraminous platens and means for passing hot air through the platens and through the fiber body retained between the platens or opposed foraminous belts and adjacent conduits and means for passing the hot annealing air through the conduits and belts and through the fiber body retained between the belts. The process and apparatus may be used to produce fiber bodies of a single material or laminated bodies of a plurality of interlocked layers, which may be of different fiber materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to pipe insulation useful at relatively high temperatures, e.g., 850.degree. F. Mineral fibers bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resins and conventional anti-punking liquid resin systems have been developed as a means of producing thermal insulation of relatively low density. However, sustained punking of the binders employed caused exothermic reactions whose temperatures fused the low density mineral fibers causing thermal and structural degradation of the insulation. The present invention utilizes a relatively dense layer of fiber glass having a relatively low binder content, bonded with a binder comprising an antipunk phenolic resin and high levels of silane based on the solids content in the resin. An outer layer may surround the dense layer and be constructed with a lower density and a higher binder content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for forming a series of shingles from two shingle members. In the past such apparatus has required an inordinate number of hand operations and warehousing of such shingle members. These hand operations and warehousing functions have resulted in a substantial number of non-conforming shingles, which must be rejected, and also causing other problems which affect the overall productivity of such prior art apparatus. The present invention anticipates forming from stock material a complete set of such shingle members, maintaining the shingle members in a set in a predetermined positional relationship throughout the manufacturing operation up to and including the formation of stacks of shingles formed thereby. When such a set of shingle members includes a pair of overlay portions formed of interdigitated tabs, the present invention permits these tabs to be defined to form two styles of shingles.