Abstract: A simple, inexpensive gun-type dispenser is disclosed whereby purchased cartridges of heat softenable adhesive or sealant compound can be heated and dispensed during non-commercial projects such as crack sealing or gluing of components by a home handyman. The dispenser comprises a barrel having a breech with an axially aligned opening therein for the loading of cartridges of the compound to be dispensed, a breech access for uncovering the breech opening and for closure thereof after the insertion of a cartridge, electrical heating elements for heating the outer end of the barrel, and a mechanical feeder for urging the compound into the heated end of the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed for determining the crushing strength of pellets of a powdered material by compressing individual pellets between one pellet-contacting face on a force-exerting means and another pellet-contacting face on a force-measuring transducer. The transducer provides an output current at a voltage which varies in correspondence to the compressive force that is applied to a pellet during the crushing thereof. Accordingly, a pellet is first placed between the aforesaid pellet-contacting faces and the force exerting means is then driven toward the transducer at a controlled rate for compression and crushing of the pellet. Current voltage from the transducer is recorded permanently on a chart or else temporarily by means of a peak voltage remembering module in conjunction with a voltmeter having a digital read-out.

Abstract: The flow path of petroleum in underground reservoirs is monitored by injecting a stable free radical, or spin label, into the reservoir as a tracer which becomes detectable in a sample taken from a producing well. Detection of the spin label is by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Spin label tracers are, on the average, detectable at dilutions 1 million times lower than is possible with standard chemical tracing methods.

Abstract: Wet pellets of carbon black are dried to produce dry pellets by means of a two-step process. In the first step a bed of wet pellets is fluidized by means of a heated gas and the pellets are thus partially dried. In the second step the partially dried pellets from the first step are subjected to additional drying while in a nonfluidized state, e.g. pellets from the fluidized bed are heated and subjected to a mild, mechanically produced tumbling action during the second step.

Abstract: A vulcanizing agent for rubber is incorporated into a polymer which is substantially noncrosslinkable by the agent but which is fusible with rubber upon milling. The resulting polymeric mixture and a vulcanizable rubber are formed into strips which are joined together along the lengths thereof to form an elongated, two-component tape wherein the rubber vulcanizing agent is carried in the nonreactive polymer. Sections of the tape can be milled to produce a vulcanizable compound by blending the polymeric component with the rubber component, thus obviating any need for separate addition of a rubber vulcanizing agent. The tape can be wound on a reel and stored until the need for blending arises. Premature reaction of the vulcanizing agent with the rubber is prevented since it is bound within the noncrosslinkable polymer.

Abstract: A process for halogenating rubber wherein a fluid halogen is dissolved in a flowing stream of the rubber dissolved in an organic solvent. The flow of the stream is maintained at a Reynold's number below 100 while maintaining a pressure which assures complete dissolving of the halogen while also preventing vaporization of volatile constituents in the stream during reaction of the halogen with the rubber.

Abstract: Oxygenated furnace black products are disclosed which have a particle size of at least 15 millimicrons, a dibutylphthalate absorption (DBP) not exceeding 120 c.c./100 gms., a nitrogen surface area of at least 450 m.sup.2 /gm., and an oxygen content of at least 4 weight percent.These products can be produced by treating a furnace carbon black feedstock with an oxidizing agent, such as nitric acid, in order to substantially increase the volatile and the oxygen content of the black.