Abstract: Disclosed are wound dressings comprising an absorbent pad for receiving and retaining wound fluids sandwiched between first and second outer sheet materials, the first sheet material for placement on the wound being a perforated non-adherent film for preventing the dressing from sticking to the wound, the second sheet material being characterized as being bacteria-impermeable, the absorbent pad being a multilayer structure comprising an inner layer of a low density absorbent material for receiving fluids diffusing to the dressing from the wound and an overlying layer of a high density absorbent material for receiving and retaining wound fluids diffusing through the inner layer in order to inhibit skin maceration due to the wetness of the surface area of the absorbent pad adjacent the wound.

Abstract: Improved thermoplastic adhesive liquid coatings adapted for use as a primer coating for inground pipelines, which coatings include an amphipathic metal complexing reagent in an amount effective to provide protection against cathodic disbondment, the improvement being the bonding to the thermoplastic moiety of an anhydride in an amount sufficient to provide still further protection against degradative environmental forces; and novel protective pipewrap systems including same.

Abstract: A process for recovering metal and acid values from a source material containing metallic fluorides comprises digesting the source material in sulfuric acid to form a slurry, separating a fluoride containing solid phase and a metal containing first liquid phase. The solid phase is subjected to pyrohydrolysis, sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids are recovered, and the first liquid phase is processed to recover the metal values by solvent extraction or ion exchanges. The tantalum values are extracted from the first liquid aqueous phase by a water immiscible organic extractant such as methylisobutyl ketone to form a first liquid organic phase containing tantalum and a second liquid aqueous phase. The tantalum is stripped from the first organic phase using water. The process includes the additional steps of heating the separated solid phase from about ambient temperature to an elevated temperature in the presence of water vapor to evolve sulfuric acid and render the gangue chemically inert.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for administering epidural anesthesia utilizing an epidural catheter permanently secured at its proximal end to an adapter for putting the catheter in fluid communication with a source of liquid anesthesia. The system employs a splittable needle for inserting the catheter into the peridural space.

Abstract: A method for forming a wrought product from a starting metal such as tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof. A consumable electrode is coated with at least a first alloy layer by means which provide for uniform thickness. Sufficient power is applied to the electrode body to induce arcing to cause the starting metal and alloy layers to melt and pool in a crucible. The uniform layer on the electrode body provides a means for delivering minute quantities of alloy into a larger quantity of starting metal and facilitates a uniform and consistent arc which promotes mixing of the alloy and starting material in the crucible. The electrode body is consumed at an improved rate without an associated decrease in the final ingot yield weight. The pooled metal is allowed to solidify into an ingot. The ingot is then formed into a wrought product.

Abstract: An improved flaked tantalum powder and process for making the flaked powder are disclosed. The powder is characterized by having a Scott density greater than about 18 g/in.sup.3 and preferably at least about 90% of the flake particles having no dimension greater than about 55 micrometers. Agglomerates of the flaked tantalum powder, provide improved flowability, green strength and pressing characteristics compared to conventional flaked tantalum powders. The improved flaked tantalum powder can be made by preparing a flaked tantalum and then reducing the flake size until a Scott density greater than about 18 g/in.sup.3 is achieved. The invention also provides pellets and capacitors prepared from the abovedescribed flaked tantalum powder.

Abstract: The present invention includes metal oxide foam particles and a method of making the same. A decomposable metal salt feed solution is injected into a hot atomizing gas. The mixture of hot atomizing gas and feed solution is maintained in the reactor until the feed solution converts to metal oxide foam particles. The metal oxide foam particles have a high specific surface area.

Abstract: An aqueous colloidal dispersion of fumed silica, acid and stabilizer, having a fumed silica concentration of at least about 40% by weight. A process for making an aqueous colloidal dispersion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A powder of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H. A powder metallurgy formed product of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H.

Abstract: A process for producing a high purity tantalum powder wherein a small quantity of an active ingredient, having a higher thermodynamic potential and chemical activity than the metal surfaces of the reactor vessel, is added to the reactor before the reactor is heated to reaction temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to flaked tantalum powders suitable for use in electrodes and capacitors. The tantalum powders have a mean particle size of about 2 to 55 micrometers, a BET surface area greater than about 0.5 m.sup.2 /g, and an aspect ratio between about 2 and 50. The powders are in the form of fractured flakes, which contain substantially no tapering of their peripheral edges.

Abstract: A wrought metal alloy product having a tantalum or niobium base metal, 10 to 1000 ppm silicon, and 10 to 10000 ppm yttrium nitride. Fine uniform grain size contributes to improved ductility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alumina oxide particles having an internal foam structure and a method of making the same. The method first creates foam particles of aluminum sulfate and, subsequently, converts the aluminum sulfate to aluminum oxide particles with the same internal foam structure. The aluminum oxide foam particles made by this method have large specific surface areas and pore volumes.

Abstract: A stable non-dilatant aqueous colloidal dispersion of fumed silica, without a stabilizer, having a fumed silica concentration of at least about 35% by weight. Also disclosed is a process for producing aqueous colloidal dispersions of fumed silica, without a stabilizer, which are stable and non-dilatant.

Abstract: A process for making non-porous, dense, silica partices having a diameter of about 3 to 1000 microns, a nitrogen B.E.T. surface area less than about 1 m.sup.2 /g, a total impurity content of less than about 50 ppm and a metal impurity content content of less than about 15 ppm from an aqueous dispersion of fumed silica. The particles are converted into porous particles and sintered in an atmosphere having a water partial pressure of from about 0.2 to about 0.8 atmosphere for temperatures below about 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: On-edge indexable insert for cutting radiused corners including circular arc cutting edges each with trailing surface formed with convex compound curvature as a toric segment intersecting the adjacent side wall to provide a planar abutment surface when a cutting edge is indexed to an inactive position.

Abstract: A metallurgical processing system for economically recovering metal values, such as columbium, tantalum, thorium, and uranium from dilute source solids, such as digestion sludges, by a series of steps including:1) slurrying the source solids with dilute hydrofluoric acid to produce a solid phase and a liquid phase containing dissolved tantalum and columbium, then extracting tantalum and/or columbium from the liquid phase by means of a liquid ion-exchange process and then, additionally;2) roasting the solid phase with sulfuric acid to recover and recycle hydrofluoric acid, leaching the roasted solids with dilute sulfuric acid to produce a disposable solid phase and a liquid phase containing thorium and uranium, and extracting thorium and uranium from the liquid phase by means of a liquid-liquid amine extraction process.

Abstract: Mechanical fine adjust boring head including an adjustment drive train through a worm wheel drive of an eccentric cam orbiting a drive key engaging a slide to effect linear radial adjustment. Anti-friction bearings for the cam and orbital drive connection between the cam and drive key provide for smooth nonbinding adjustment.