Abstract: A process for cutting a multi-filament tow into fibers of ultra-short length and narrow size distribution is provided. Initially, a multi-filament tow is passed through a bath of liquid impregnating material at elevated temperature. The impregnated tow is then passed through a die which is sized to control the quantity of material impregnating the tow and to compact the filaments of the tow into a closely packed bundle. The resulting tow is then cooled to solidify the impregnating material and to convert the tow to a rigid form. The rigid tow is then cut, yielding wafer-thin disks. The impregnating material is then stripped from the wafer-thin disks with a solvent followed by removal of the solvent, thereby yielding fibers of ultra-short length and narrow size distribution.

Abstract: A method of providing a fibrous thermoplastic resin for depolymerization thereof wherein the fibrous thermoplastic resin is formed into a shaped article having a specific gravity of at least 1/2 of the true specific gravity of the fibrous thermoplastic resin, said shaped article consisting of the fibrous thermoplastic resin mass having on its surface a crusty thin resin layer which may be press-bonded or melt-bonded to the mass. The thus provided shaped article of the fibrous thermoplastic resin can be advantageously employed as a starting material for the depolymerization reaction. In accordance with this invention, the time required for completion of the depolymerization can be greatly shortened as compared with that of the conventional technique and the rate and efficiency of the depolymerization can be greatly improved.

Abstract: A process for cooling sodium dicyclohexyl sulfosuccinate product mixture which consistently produces solid, non-tacky particles suitable for dry packaging. The product is cooled from melt to viscous semi-solid state in a scraped surface heat exchanger then extruded to strands which are further cooled in air to ambient temperature.