Abstract: A composite dry process hardboard includes a hardboard panel consisting of pressed defibrated and refined wood chips, plus a surface layer of paper cemented to the hardboard by a cured resin made from phenolic resin mixed with water and ethylene glycol. If desired, an embossed pattern may be incorporated into pressing the paper overlay. In the subject process, first a mass of defibrated wood chips is mixed with a binding agent, the mass is then formed into a mat which is coated with a mixture of phenolic resin and polyhydric compound such as a polyhydric alcohol having a boiling point higher than water. Then, a dry sheet of paper is laid on the mat and the composite structure is then cured by the application of heat and pressure.

Abstract: Leaching of a fire retardant salt, such as a mixture of ammonium phosphates, impregnated into a wood substrate is inhibited by a process comprising:A. impregnating the wood substrate with an aqueous solution of a cyclic sulfonium zwitterion (CSZ), exemplified by structural formula (I), andB. curing the resulting CSZ-impregnated wood substrate. ##STR1## CSZ impregnation of the wood substrate can be either concurrent with or subsequent to the fire retardant salt impregnation of same. This process provides a significant degree of leach protection to otherwise very leachable fire retardant salts.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for treating wood and other fibrous materials within a hermetically sealed, heat insulated chamber comprising means for applying a predetermined mechanical pressure to said fibrous materials, means for controlling the conditions within said chamber whereby steam is generated in the center of said fibrous materials, and means for subsequently removing said steam; means are additionally provided for staining, finishing, fireproofing, laminating, forming, shaping, and increasing the density and tensile strength of said fibrous materials.

Abstract: A method for electrostatically coating normally non-conductive materials, particularly wood products and more particularly assembled wood products, which includes initially covering the entire product with a carrier solution having a conductive coating material as a portion thereof, drying the same, thereafter grounding the same and thereafter applying the desired covering material thereto, which covering material is delivered from a charged source such that an attraction between the charged covering material particles and the article to be covered will exist.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of wood of all kinds to impregnate the wood fully to its core with a resin component system, simultaneously with, or without, a flame retarding agent, or preservative, the process involving enclosing the wood in a chamber, evacuating the chamber in which it is enclosed in a slow time cycle, related to the structure of the wood, while adding a prepolymer aqueous solution to submerge the wood, continuing the vacuum, securing the vacuum, and applying pressure of prepolymer solution until the wood reaches the refusal point and, in certain more dense woods, repeating the vacuum and pressure cycle; then completely purging the chemicals, evacuating the chamber and drawing a final vacuum on the wood for removal of surface liquid, and finally removing wood from the chamber.

Abstract: A method, and a machine for performing the method, for treating wood panels to develop a relief therein, and including subsequent staining, comprising brushing a panel to develop a relief, and then flooding the panel with liquid stain, and after drying, again brushing the panel surface, resulting in a contrasting and attractive panel surface.

Abstract: Intumescent compositions are described which when deposited on a substrate protect the substrate against heat and fire damage for an appreciable time, and these compositions are readily removed from the substrate by water washing or water scrubbing both before and after intumescing. Another advantage of these compositions is that they give off very little smoke when exposed to heat and fire. The most effective of these compositions comprise monoammonium phosphate and/or diammonium phosphate as a heat- and fireproofing agent, urea and/or cyanoguanidine (dicyandiamide) as a gas forming or gas generating agent to promote the intumescence, sucrose (sugar) together with the phosphate to promote initial intumescence at low temperature and titanium dioxide as a heat-reflecting agent. Certain possible alternatives to the compounds named above are also named.

Abstract: A color-forming composition and recording sheets embodying the composition are disclosed, wherein the color-forming composition comprises: (a) a leuco dye, (b) an aromatic secondary amine or derivative thereof and (c) an organic solvent.