Abstract: A shoe press 1 for applying pressure to a fibrous web W has a concave press shoe 2 adapted to be juxtaposed with a backing member 6. A plurality of articulated hydraulic actuators 5 are spaced apart in the cross-machine direction along the press shoe 2 to press the shoe toward a backing member. The actuators have first and second cylinders and a piston. The pistons and the cylinders have spherical surfaces adapted to be able to cooperate with each other.

Abstract: A laminate of inorganic sheet and polyester resin having an overall thickness of 5 to 25 mils and having an elongation at break in both the cross direction and machine direction of at least 25%.

Abstract: An acoustical panel has a fiberboard which includes a fibrous filler and a base binder, and a nodulated overlay disposed on the fiberboard, wherein the overlay includes nodulated wool and an overlay binder and has a substantially smooth surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fibrous filler is mineral wool and the base binder is granular starch. In an another embodiment of the present invention, the nodulated wool is nodulated mineral wool and the overlay binder is cooked pearl cornstarch.

Abstract: There is provided a high temperature resistant, insulating inorganic paper for use in high temperature environments. The paper containing a combination of staple ceramic fibers and staple glass fibers interlocked together into a shape sustaining form and having a thickness of from 10 mils to 1 inch. The glass fibers content is from about 0.5 to 10% and the average diameter of the glass fibers is up to about 50 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-resistant composition particularly useful to produce heat-resistant boards or tubes, capable of resisting to a high temperature for a substantial period of time. The composition comprises from 70 to 90% by weight of a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO:SiO2 ratio lower than 1:1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr..degree.F.ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises an organic binder such as starch or latex, a mineral binder of the silicate type such as sodium or potassium silicate, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An electrolyte permeable asbestos diaphragm is prepared by depositing asbestos and a particulate thermoplastic polymeric material from an aqueous slurry including alkali metal hydroxide onto a porous substrate, and heating the deposited asbestos, particulate thermoplastic polymeric material, and alkali metal hydroxide for a period of time, e.g., at least 2 hours, and at temperatures sufficient to react the asbestos and alkali metal hydroxide but temperatures insufficient to melt or sinter the particulate thermoplastic polymeric material, whereby the particulate thermoplastic polymeric material functions to provide permeability for the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electrolyte permeable diaphragm consisting essentially of asbestos is prepared by depositing asbestos and a porosity control agent selected from the group of cellulosic-type materials, e.g., starch, cellulose or rayon, infusible thermoset polymer materials, e.g., phenol-formaldehyde resin, urea-formaldehyde resin or melamine-formaldehyde resin, and inorganic materials, e.g., fiberglass, graphite, titania, silica, talc, vermiculite or potassium-containing mica from an aqueous slurry including alkali metal hydroxide onto a porous substrate, the porosity control agent being substantially stable and insoluble in the aqueous alkali metal hydroxide-containing slurry, followed by heating the deposited asbestos, porosity control agent and alkali metal hydroxide at temperatures between about 110.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to react the asbestos and alkali metal hydroxide whereby the porosity control agent provides the permeability for the diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel borated asbestos fibers which possess improved filtration properties.

Abstract: The hydrophilicity and other properties of fluoropolymer-bonded asbestos diaphragms for use in brine electrolysis cells are improved by incorporating Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 into the aqueous slurry from which the diaphragms are prepared.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for phosphating asbestos fibers by reacting phosphorus chlorides with asbestos fibers in a first reaction vessel heated to a temperature within the range of the boiling temperature of the selected phosphorus chloride at atmospheric pressure and 200.degree. C. above the boiling temperature of said phosphorus chloride, then the phosphated asbestos fibers are cured in a second chamber and purged of any volatile by-product formed during the phosphating step. The products obtained possess reduced haemolytic activity.

Abstract: The abrasion resistance and tensile strength of asbestos is significantly improved by the addition of significant amounts of metal oxides, such as iron oxide, under conditions to provide at least some surface bonding of the oxides to the surface of the asbestos. The oxides are preferably added during formation of bodies from asbestos dispersions and also impart color to the final product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chrysotile asbestos fiber substantially coated on its exterior surface with hydrated titanium dioxide, the titanium dioxide content being from 0.5 to 35% by weight, part of the titanium dioxide being chemically bonded to the asbestos fiber and the remaining titanium dioxide being retained by electrostatic bond, said modified fiber having an Mg:Si ratio of from less than 3:2 to 2:2 when calculated on an atomic number ratio, a Ti:Si ratio of from more than 0:2 to less than 1:2 and said modified fiber being also characterized by an infrared spectrum wherein the relative peaks at 1082, 1025 and 957 cm.sup.-1 have been substantially altered in their intensity and as shown in curves C and D of FIG. 1 , said fiber resisting leaching of the Mg ions by strong acids 3 to 6 times better than natural asbestos fibers and resisting leaching of SiO.sub.2 groups in strong alkali media 1.5 to 3 times better than unmodified chrysotile fibers.

Abstract: A method of treating asbestos comprising depositing on at least a portion of the asbestos a material consisting essentially of an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of first series transition metals, second series transition metals, and group II B metals.

Abstract: There is disclosed chemically modified chrysotile asbestos fibers, more particularly phosphated asbestos fibers containing from 0.5 to 5% by weight of phosphate groups and heat treated phosphated asbestos fibers, both of which have an infrared spectrum which exhibits substantially no absorption within the range of 954-1080 cm.sup.-1. The novel phosphated asbestos fibers are characterized by reduced haemolytic and cytotoxic activities.

Abstract: A strengthened fiber diaphragm and method for making such a diaphragm for use in electrochemical cells, the strengthening being accomplished through solution introduction of a zirconium compound into the fabric of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Asbestos fibres having excellent properties in resin reinforcement are produced by controlled heat treatment of a coarse fraction of chrysotile asbestos fibres.

Abstract: A process of separating fibres from asbestos-bearing material which process comprises the steps by treating said asbestos-bearing material with a chemical agent capable of reacting with, or adsorbing on, asbestos fibres to form a dispersion, and agglomerating said dispersion, and wherein effluents containing said chemical agent are subjected to ultrafiltration prior to re-use in the process. The process given high yields of novel fibres characterized in that the said fibres provide reinforcement in cementitious compositions.

Abstract: Asbestos fibres having excellent properties in resin reinforcement are produced by controlled heat treatment of a coarse fraction of chrysotile asbestos fibres.

Abstract: The filtration rate of asbestos-cement slurries formed from chrysotile asbestos fibres is improved by controlled heat treatment of the fibres at a temperature of about 400.degree. to about 600.degree. C. without loss of water of crystallization and fibre strength. The improved filtration rate allows an increased rate of production of asbestos-cement products.

Abstract: A method of producing a sorption body is disclosed in which a plurality of sheets of asbestos paper are formed from a fiber pulp having molecular sieves placed therein. The sheets are arranged in contact with one another at spaced points to form transectional channels therebetween for the media which are to pass through the body, with the sheets supporting each other. The assembled sheets are subjected to an increase in temperature sufficient to drive off the organic binding agents present in the paper and to break down the asbestos fiber to a powdery consistency.

Abstract: A method of producing an inorganic substance board, wherein after preparation, such as by use of paper making process, the board is hardened in an autoclave with saturated steam at a high temperature, high pressure and for a suitable length of time, and after hardening, subjecting the board to one or more drying cycles comprising a vacuum treatment at 60 to 300 Torrs, for a suitable length of time to enable the core of the board to reach a suitable temperature, the application of saturated steam at 2 to 12 Kg/cm.sup.2 pressure and 120 to 190.degree. C temperature for a period of time sufficient to allow the core to reach a suitable temperature. The number of cycles is preferably 10 or less. Advantageously, the inventive drying treatment prevents efflorescence and warping of the boards.

Abstract: A recording sheet consisting mainly of fibrous material is capable of displaying a colored image when contacted under pressure with substantially colorless crystal violet lactone and similar dye precursors if at least 3% of the fibrous material is constituted by uniformly distributed asbestos fibers. Sheets having adequate strength for carbonless copying should not contain more than 30% asbestos fibers. Stronger colors are obtained if the sheet further contains a mixture of .gamma.-alumina and .gamma.-alumina precursors in an amount of 2% to 20% of the weight of the fibrous material, the mixture containing 1% to 30% water volatile at 1000.degree. C, and being converted substantially entirely to .gamma.-alumina when heated from 300.degree. to 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing an asbestos diaphragm where alkali metal ions are provided from an aqueous alkaline solution within the fibrous asbestos diaphragm, the diaphragm is heated to form an alkali metal silicate layer on the asbestos fibers, and thereafter contacted with anolyte liquor.

Abstract: An improved low density asbestos-cement product and the process whereby it is produced wherein an asphalt emulsion is combined with the formulation from which the product is made, which asphalt emulsion has an asphalt phase which asphalt has a softening point of at least 150.degree.F and is dispersed in water in globules all smaller than 10 microns.

Abstract: Treatment of asbestos fiber with a first coating of from about 0.1 to 5 weight percent of a phosphate, or acid thereof, and subsequent addition of a nonfoaming anionic dispersant on the coated fiber produces an asbestos fiber product that possesses improved filtration properties. This treated asbestos improves the production rate of articles from cement slurries or pastes containing asbestos.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard or plasterboard having a high mechanical strength, especially high impact strength, and a large bulk density is prepared from a mixture consisting essentially of calcined gypsum, cellulosic fibers, asbestos fibers, a setting retardant for the calcined gypsum and water, by withdrawing solid components of the mixture in layer form. A plurality of the thus-obtained layers is piled to form a preform of the desired thickness and pressure-molding the preform under a molding pressure of from 10 to 400 kg/cm.sup.2 to obtain the board product.

Abstract: Aligned fibre mats are produced by passing a continuously accelerating or decelerating stream of fibre dispersion over a permeable surface and simultaneously withdrawing a limited proportion of the dispersion liquid through the permeable surface to deposit aligned fibres thereon. Mats having a wide variety of shapes and alignment patterns may readily be produced and may subsequently be impregnated with resins, metals etc. to form fibre-reinforced composite materials.

Abstract: A diaphragm is disclosed for electrolytic cells, for example, chlor-alkali cells. The diaphragm is characterized in that it has been treated with a water-soluble silicate on the anolyte side. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell process using such a diaphragm, and a method for preparing such a diaphragm.