Abstract: A process and apparatus for providing metal material having an improved structure for forming into a desired article is disclosed herein. The improved structure is obtained by slurry casting a material into a continuous member and then hot working the slurry cast material. Upon reheating to a semi-solid state, the hot worked, slurry cast material will exhibit finer particles and fewer eutectic melting rosettes than would be exhibited by the slurry as-cast material in an unworked and heated condition. The hot working of the slurry cast material produces an article having a deformed structure exhibiting directionality.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the position of a cast ingot is provided so that unwanted distortions of the casting are substantially avoided. The instant process and apparatus also permit substantially uniform heat transfer about the casting periphery. A control system for maintaining the casting within a mold so that the casting outer periphery is substantially uniformly spaced from the mold inner wall comprises a casting supporting mechanism adjacent the mold exit and non-thermal position detectors.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting compositions for ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces comprise one or more crystalline polyphosphates, e.g. a strontium tripolyphosphate. The compositions have particular application in the preparation of corrosion inhibiting paint compositions. A method of preparation of the polyphosphate materials is described.

Abstract: A suspension of a finely divided material in a liquid suspending medium which swells cellulose, the suspension containing microfibrillated cellulose in an amount sufficient to produce a stable, homogeneous suspension. The microfibrillated cellulose, a form of cellulose having a very large available surface area per unit of weight, acts to confer, among other benefits, greater stability on the suspension. The suspensions are useful in a variety of end use products including foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints and drilling muds.

Abstract: A liquid applicator for dispensing a chemical, such as a herbicide, in dilute aqueous form. The applicator has a first container adapted to contain a concentrated chemical and a second container adapted to receive chemical from the first container prediluted with water. A valve controls the flow of chemical and water from the first to the second container and controls the flow of water to an aspirator which further dilutes and discharges the chemical.

Abstract: A suspension of a finely divided material in a liquid suspending medium which swells cellulose, the suspension containing microfibrillated cellulose in an amount sufficient to produce a stable, homogeneous suspension. The microfibrillated cellulose, a form of cellulose having a very large available surface area per unit of weight, acts to confer, among other benefits, greater stability on the suspension. The suspensions are useful in a variety of end use products including foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints and drilling muds.

Abstract: Microfibrillated celluloses having properties distinguishable from all previously known celluloses, are produced by passing a liquid suspension of cellulose through a small diameter orifice in which the suspension is subjected to a pressure drop of at least 3000 psig and a high velocity shearing action followed by a high velocity decelerating impact, and repeating the passage of said suspension through the orifice until the cellulose suspension becomes a substantially stable suspension. The process converts the cellulose into microfibrillated cellulose without substantial chemical change of the cellulose starting material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for slurry casting an ingot having a non-dendritic structure across substantially its entire cross section. The casting mold has a first chamber for extracting heat from the molten material. The amount of heat extracted from the molten material and the cooling rate of the molten material is controlled to initiate growth of primary phase particles and to form a semi-solid slurry having a desired fraction solid. The mold also has a second chamber for casting the slurry into an ingot. Adjacent the exit portion of the first chamber and the inlet portion of the second chamber, a transition member is provided for delivering the slurry to the casting chamber and for preventing the ingot shell from extending back into the first chamber.

Abstract: Redispersible microfibrillated cellulose is prepared by the addition to a liquid dispersion of the microfibrillated cellulose, an additive compound capable of substantially inhibiting hydrogen bonding between the cellulose fibrils. The microfibrillated cellulose, upon drying, is characterized by having a viscosity when redispersed in water of at least 50% of the viscosity of an equivalent concentration of the original dispersion.

Abstract: A process of preparing microfibrillated cellulose comprising adding to never-dried cellulosic pulp an additive compound capable of substantially inhibiting hydrogen bonding of the fibrils in the cellulose and then drying the pulp and additive. Microfibrillation of a suspension of the cellulosic pulp is carried out at considerably increased efficiency if the additive compound is present prior to drying the pulp. The resulting MFC product can be dried and redispersed without substantial loss of viscosity.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production of shaped aluminum alloy-particulate composites. The process comprises metering at a substantially constant ratio a particulate solid molten aluminum alloy containing at least 0.10% by weight of magnesium into a mixing station while continuously vigorously agitating to produce a homogeneous mixture, simultaneously discharging from the mixing station a homogeneous mixture of molten aluminum alloy and particulate solid, transferring the mixture to a forming station and shaping and solidifying the composite.

Abstract: A process and apparatus having improved efficiency for forming a semi-solid alloy slurry. A molten metal in a containing device is mixed electromagnetically by a moving, non-zero magnetic field provided over substantially all of a solidification zone within the containing device. The magnetic field causes the shearing of dendrites formed in the solidification zone at a desired shearing rate. The magnetic field is generated by a device supplied with current at a desired line frequency. By operating within a defined range of line frequencies, a desired shear rate for attaining a desired cast structure at reduced levels of power consumption and current can be achieved.

Abstract: An aromatic compound is hydroxylated by reacting the aromatic compound in an aqueous solvent with a triiodide salt to form a reaction mixture containing the corresponding iodoaromatic compound. The mixture is reacted, without separating the iodoaromatic compound, with a hydroxylating agent to form the corresponding hydroxy aromatic compound. The iodide salt, formed as a by-product of the reaction, is then separated for reuse in the process.

Abstract: A suspension of a finely divided material in a liquid suspending medium which swells cellulose, the suspension containing microfibrillated cellulose in an amount sufficient to produce a stable, homogeneous suspension. The suspensions are oil-in-water emulsion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a semi-solid thixotropic slurry. The apparatus includes a duplex mold arrangement for postponing solidification within the mold until the molten metal is within a magnetic field for providing magnetohydrodynamic stirring. The duplex mold includes a first portion of low thermal conductivity and a second portion of high conductivity.

Abstract: A mold for use in an apparatus and process utilizing an electromagnetic field to stir a molten metal or metal alloy comprises a plurality of laminations of thermally and electrically conductive material separated by electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material is oriented to minimize at least some of the flow path lengths of currents induced in the mold whereby magnetic induction loses caused by the mold are substantially reduced and the stirring efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A slow release particulate fertilizer comprising a carrier containing trace elements distributed homogeneously therein. The trace elements include salts or oxides of iron, manganese, zinc and copper in certain critical proportions. The carrier contains significant proportions of calcium and sulfur and is preferably gypsum. The composition is particularly suitable for use with soilless potting media for container grown ornamentals.