Abstract: A refractory fiber blanket furnace lining module with compensation for heat shrinkage, and method of assembly of such a module, are disclosed. In the module as assembled, the refractory fiber material is in compression in horizontal planes coplanar with the hot face and also in compression in planes vertical to the hot face. Upon or after installation, the horizontal compression is removed so that the fibers may expand to compensate for heat shrinkage as such shrinkage occurs and maintain a seal in joints between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A filter housing is disclosed. It is preferably used to house membrane filters supported on plates. The base, top and a two-way cap cooperate to form a pressure-tight vessel. The top can be moved vertically to permit use of various numbers of filters and support plates in the housing without requiring spacers or spacer tubes. The structure of the housing is such that all surfaces exposed to liquid are free of screw threads or other surface configurations which are not readily sanitizable or sterilizable, particularly by autoclaving. Also, since the tightening mechanism is outside the filter enclosure, the filters can be sterilized by autoclaving and subsequently tightened into position.

Abstract: A building structure is disclosed in which precast columns and beam and deck members are used. Upper columns are supported in spaced apart relationship to lower columns by pairs of rods extending from each column respectively and clamped together by clamping means. Topping concrete is poured to lock the members together into a unitary structure. The structure provides for self-leveling of the columns.

Abstract: An improved fire resistive joint system for concrete panel walls and like building structures is disclosed. The cool (or external) side of the joint is sealed by a high performance elastomeric joint sealant, preferably backed up by a closed cell backing material, and the hot (or internal) side of the joint is at least partially filled by a compressible resilient mass of synthetic inorganic refractory fiber.

Abstract: A fiber blanket module having a rectangular or box-shaped frame attached by suitable attachment structure to a wall of a furnace or other high temperature equipment to insulate such equipment. Each of two strips of woven metal oxide fiber cloth is suspended between one set of opposite sides of the frame, forming a pocket. The pocket is filled with suitable insulating material, which includes bulk, unconsolidated ceramic fiber, refractory fiber blankets, and the like.

Abstract: Refractory fiber compositions are disclosed comprising 84% to 97% by weight total silica and alumina, with the silica-to-alumina weight ratio being in the range of 3:2 to 1:1, preferably approximatey 5:4, and 3% to 16% by weight of a dolomitic component comprising calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. The dolomitic component may be composed of burnt dolomite or lime and magnesia. The fibers made of these compositions are suitable for thermal insulation use at temperatures in the range of from 1400.degree. F to 2000.degree. F (760.degree. C to 1100.degree. C) and find particular use as insulating mats and blankets for furnaces, kilns and automobile catalytic mufflers.

Abstract: A flexible multilayer jacketing material for covering bare pipes or thermal insulation on pipes, etc., is a composite of an interior surface film of a metalized polyethylene terephthalate with its aluminum coated internal face bonded to one face of a central layer of glass fiber-reinforced asbestos paper which has its other face bonded to an exterior surface film of polyvinyl fluoride.

Abstract: As a flexible composite insulation, a layer of mass type of insulating material of low heat conductivity is bonded to a multilayer protective jacket. The mass insulation layer is flexible in at least one direction for fitting pipes, etc., and it is preferably a series of parallel contiguous strips of fiber glass or mineral wool batt insulation cemented to the vapor barrier layer of the jacket with their fibers substantially oriented in parallel planes aligned perpendicularly to the jacket. The jacketing material is preferably a combination of vapor barrier film of a metallized polyethylene terephthalate with its aluminum coated face bonded to one face of a layer of glass fiber-reinforced asbestos paper which has its other face bonded to an exterior surface film of polyvinyl fluoride.

Abstract: Elastomeric materials reinforced with short small diameter insulating glass fibers are disclosed. The elastomeric materials may be any of a variety of natural or synthetic rubbers or rubber-like elastomers. The glass fibers are those commonly designated AAA through B diameters (0.5 to 3.8 microns) and have lengths of from about 3 mm to about 50 mm. Whereas the large diameter fibers commonly considered to be "reinforcing fibers" have been found not to provide satisfactory reinforcement to elastomers, it has now been unexpectedly discovered that the very small diameter insulating fibers, previously believed not to be satisfactory for reinforcement purposes, do in fact provide excellent reinforcement to elastomers. Similarly, it has now been found that short individual fibers, loose or in wool form, can be used for reinforcement instead of the long strands and bundles of continuous glass filaments and woven glass fabrics heretofore relied on by the art.

Abstract: A talc-filled polystyrene composition which is stabilized against short-term color degradation is described. The composition comprises polystyrene, talc, and a polyester-forming mixture of a polybasic organic acid or anhydride, preferably trimellitic anhydride, and a polyhydric alcohol, preferably a polyethylene glycol.

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 novel refractory fiber thermal insulation and a "wet pack" moldable insulation package formed thereof are described. This composition comprises refractory fiber having combined therewith a binder system comprising 25% to 95% by volume of an aqueous suspension of colloidal silica having a solids content of 15 to 30 weight percent and wherein the mean particle diameter of the silica particles is not greater than 10 nm, 5% to 12% by volume ethylene glycol, and 0% to 70% by volume additional water. Wet packs using this binder composition have significantly greater strength, better thermal properties (particularly at elevated temperatures) and better adhesion to metal surfaces than commercial prior art wet packs.

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 process is described for the formation of fibrous insoluble calcium sulfate anhydrite, the fibers thereof having specified dimensions. A dilute aqueous suspension of gypsum and, if desired, a crystal habit modifier suitable for the formation of fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate, is first formed. The gypsum in this suspension is then converted to the fibrous hemihydrate by reaction in the presence of saturated steam at 120.degree. C to 155.degree. C for 0.5 to 2.5 hours, thereby forming fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate of the desired dimensions. The fibrous hemihydrate is thereafter calcined at 500.degree. C to 750.degree. C for 0.5 to 3.0 hours to convert the fibrous hemihydrate to fibrous insoluble calcium sulfate anhydrite having substantially the same crystalline shape and dimensions.

Abstract: A thermal insulation structure of fibrous material is described. The insulation comprises alternating and abutting parallel strips of fibrous material wherein the fiber orientations in alternate strips are at right angles to each other. This structure preserves the insulating properties of the fibrous material while permitting it to be readily curved around a pipe without creating stresses in the material which would cause it to tend to straighten out. The fibrous material may be glass fiber, mineral wool or the like, preferably glass fiber. The density of the individual insulating batt strips may be as low as 0.5 pcf, but is preferably at least 1.5 pcf. Both pipes and curved vessels may be advantageously insulated by this invention.

Abstract: In the manufacture of wood pulp for use in making paper and other wood fiber products, it is first necessary to remove the bark from the logs. While this can be done using a dry process, a wet process offers many advantages. However, one big disadvantage of the wet process has been the inability to economically remove the bark fines from the water used in the wet process. The present invention provides an economical manner of solving this problem by using a rotary vacuum precoat filter equipped with a rotating knife to remove the bark fines from at least a portion of the recirculating water in a wet debarking process and to avoid long range problems with such a process by adding a small amount of finely divided talc to the bark fines suspension prior to filtration.

Abstract: An insulating composition useful for riser sleeves, hot tops, ladle liners, and the like articles for use in casting of molten ferrous metal is described. The composition comprises 30% to 50% refractory fiber, 1% to 35% granular silicon carbide, inorganic binder, organic binder, and refractory filler. Molten steel at temperatures on the order of 3,000.degree. F can be readily handled by the articles of this composition. They also afford superior heat insulating properties and in the form of riser sleeves allow molten metal in a riser to remain molten for a longer period before solidification.

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: Polyester forming reactants of low volatility including an organic acid or anhydride such as trimellitic anhydride, and a polyhydric alcohol, such as dipentaerythritol or pentaterythritol, are admixed at a temperature above 400.degree. F. with partially stabilized polypropylene and asbestos filler to provide a heat stabilized, asbestos-filled polypropylene composition.

Abstract: A process is provided for bonding otherwise incompatible resin systems to form laminated resinous articles. A first resin layer is coated with a solvated coating which forms a surface solution with the surface of the first layer. Thereafter, a second resin layer is bonded to the coating. The coating contains a butadiene resin, a portion of the resin used in the second layer, and curing agent for the resin. The process is particularly adapted to bonding polyvinyl chloride pipe cores to epoxy-impregnated glass fiber overwrap to form improved laminated plastic pipe.