Abstract: A flame resistant low-smoke hot melt adhesive composition, particularly useful for adhering facings to building products and thermal insulations, is disclosed. The composition consists essentially of, in parts by weight, 11-45 parts of high (at least 200.degree. F.) melt point paraffin wax, 10-14 parts of halogenated (preferably chlorinated) microcrystalline or paraffin wax, 0.3-10 parts of halogen scavenger, 5-20 parts of a flame suppressant synergist, 5-20 parts of a low temperature resistant vapor barrier barrier elastomer, and 0.5-10 parts of smoke suppressant. Preferably the composition will also contain a carbon dioxide donor/filler. The material is not tacky when cold, can be readily reactivated by heating, and can be applied in discrete units.

Abstract: A rotary pressure precoat filter system is described containing an interior valving arrangement which increases the gas flow resistance through that region of the precoat from which solids have been removed but which has not yet been reimmersed in the slurry to be filtered. The valving system comprises a fixed baffle positioned adjacent to the outlet end of conduits passing from the collection chambers inside the surface of the filter drum to the interior of a hollow central shaft, which is journaled in bearings outside the pressure vessel and which provides direct access to a receiver also outside the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A composition is described for formation of shaped insulating articles compatible with and resistant to molten aluminum. The composition comprises calcium aluminate cement, chrysotile fibers, cryolite, inorganic filler, and, preferably, refractory fiber. Shaped articles, especially elongated troughs and flat boards, made from the composition are also described. In addition, extrusion, press molding, and similar shaping processes for formation of the articles are described.

Abstract: An expansion joint for duct work is disclosed, which comprises a pair of frames, spacer means extending outwardly from said frames, and a boot. The boot has five layers: an inner asbestos/aluminum/silica material, a fibrous insulation batt, a middle asbestos/aluminum material, a vapor barrier, and an outer asbestos/fluoroelastomer material.

Abstract: A pipe elbow fitting cover is described which can be manually folded from a first open trough-like shape to a second shape generally corresponding to the shape of the elbow to be covered and which incorporates means to maintain that second shape without the application of any external force. The means to maintain the second position comprises the creation of depressions on the inner side of the elbow curve and centered on the center diagonal, tapering toward the ends of the elbow curve.

Abstract: A low beverage soluble iron content filter aid, especially diatomite, is disclosed, as is the method for its production, which comprises contacting the granular filter aid with tannic acid, gallic acid, or mixtures thereof, preferable in aqueous solution. Color control agents such as citric acid may also be present in the solution. The treated filter diatomite is useful in the filtration of vegetable based beverages, especially beer, wine, ale and fruit juices. The invention is also applicable to other filter aids which contain beverage soluble iron, such as perlite.

Abstract: An improved "pre-autoclaving" process for the formation of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate hydrate bodies (such as thermal insulation) is disclosed. The improvement comprises first cooling the crystal slurry from the reactor in a heat exchanger and then metering the cooled slurry through a venturi to reduce the pressure and control the flow rate.

Abstract: A high density thermal insulation material is described, consisting essentially of 15 to 40 parts lime, 20 to 40 parts silica or other silicious material, 15 to 40 parts wollastonite, all slurried in water, then compressed to a shape retaining body of at least 20 pcf density and indurated to form an asbestos-free, wollastonite-reinforced, tobermorite calcium silicate hydrate matrix thermal insulation.

Abstract: Existing refractory fiber blanket furnace lining systems receive a layer of high temperature ceramic fiber blanket or felt on an inner surface portion, or hot face, thereof exposed to interior conditions of the furnace. The layer is attached to the module by being sewn thereto with continuous filament ceramic fiber thread. The layer can be added to increase insulation capacity on lower temperature furnace insulation or to repair damaged insulation in a furnace.

Abstract: An alkali-resistant fiberizable glass composition is disclosed, comprising, in parts by weight, SiO.sub.2, 50-60 parts; Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 1-11 parts; ZrO.sub.2, 4-10 parts; ZnO, 0.5-7 parts; at least one Group IA oxide, 10-19 parts; and at least one Group IIA oxide, 3-15 parts. Glass fiber of this composition is also disclosed, as is a Portland cement matrix reinforced with a plurality of such fibers.

Abstract: A high density thermal insulation material is described, consisting essentially of, in parts by weight, 15 to 35 parts of lime, 15 to 35 parts of silica or other siliceous material, 40 to 70 parts of wollastonite, and 1 to 10 parts of organic fiber, and where the wollastonite content is at least 40 percent by weight of the total weight of solids, all slurried in water, then compressed to a shape-retaining body of at least 20 pcf density and indurated to form an asbestos-free, wollastonite-reinforced, crack-resistant tobermorite calcium silicate hydrate matrix thermal insulation.

Abstract: A railroad disc brake shoe composition is disclosed comprising, in parts by weight:Phenolic resin binder: 25-35 partsCarbonaceous component: 2-12 partsAsbestos fiber: 35-50 partsSilicon carbide: 0.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which is useful for reduction (by as much as 50% or more) of the rate of free fatty acid buildup and color degradation in cooking oils in fast food outlets and other eating establishments. The composition consists essentially of three specifically defined components: 47 to 59 parts by weight diatomite, 28 to 36 parts by weight synthetic calcium silicate hydrate, and 12 to 24 parts by weight synthetic magnesium silicate hydrate. Also disclosed is a process for achieving such reduction by treating the oil (as by filtering) with the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of packaging asbestos fibers wherein damp asbestos fibers are consolidated into blocks having a density of at least about 100 lbs./cu. ft. (PCF). These blocks can then be stacked on pallets, pulpable pallets if desired, and secured to said pallet with various means, for example with a shrink film, to produce a clean, compact package. At the point of use, the blocks are disintegrated using a block-breaker and the resultant pieces are then opened into a loose mass of asbestos fibers in a conventional opening apparatus.

Abstract: A plywood body is disclosed which comprises at least two plies of wood bonded together with a phenolic resin adhesive having platey talc incorporated therethrough in amounts of about 5 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of resin. Such plywood bodies (particularly boards) have significantly greater fire resistance than do plywood bodies containing conventional phenolic adhesives.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of platinum group metals (PGM) from ores also containing iron, nickel and copper as sulfides. The minerals in the ore are first concentrated by flotation and the ore concentrate is melted in an electric furnace to form a matte containing at least 95% of the precious metals. The matte is granulated while molten to granules of a mean size not greater than about 210 micrometers (.mu.m) and then pressure leached with sulfuric acid and oxygen to separate the nickel, iron and copper as their respective sulfates, while recovering the PGM as a residue. Concentration of the leach residue by roasting and subsequent acid leaching yields a final PGM product containing the major portion of the precious metals in the ore and substantially all (i.e., at least about 95%) of the precious metals in the ore concentrate and which contains less than 1% total nickel, iron and copper.

Abstract: Modular fiber blanket furnace lining is covered on the "hot face" with a surface layer of cloth made from continuous fibers of metal oxides (such as of alumina-boria-silica composition) to prevent erosion of the underlying fibers by high velocity furnace gases.

Abstract: A process is described for the reduction or prevention of deterioration of refractory metal components of an electric furnace by chromia-containing oxide melts. The process is based on the discovery of an unexpected series of oxidation/reduction reactions leading to formation of chromium trioxide and subsequent oxidation of the refractory metal (e.g., molybdenum or tungsten) by the chromium trioxide. The process comprises adding to the mixture of oxides in the furnace a component which is oxidized to an oxide with a lower free energy of formation per mole of oxygen than the refractory metal oxides (such as MoO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, WO.sub.2 or WO.sub.3) and chromia, and which thus reduces CrO.sub.3 to a compound which is inert to the refractory metal. In a preferred embodiment the additive is a carbonaceous material and may be in the form of powdered coal. The stoichiometric amount of additive will be about 20 to 50 percent by weight of the percent by weight of chromia present.

Abstract: A method of deep embossing of sheet material, generally metal, is disclosed. A small scale relief pattern is first embossed across the entire sheet and thereafter a deep embossment of spaced-apart protuberances is imparted to the sheet. Both patterns in combination produce a sheet useful for reflective thermal insulation without the risk of significantly puncturing the sheet.

Abstract: A method is described for the thermal insulation of steel mill reheat furnace skid pipes, which comprises adhering to the pipes an unbonded, unreinforced batt of refractory fiber, and, preferably, thereafter applying a layer of refractory cement to the top of the adhered batt. The insulation structure formed by this method is also described.