Abstract: A process for descaling, derusting, dissolving, and removing machining lubricants coated on steel and other iron alloy objects, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an alkaline cleaning solution consisting of: water; about 2.5% to 25% by weight of a water-soluble alkali; about 2% to 8% by weight of sodium gluconate; about 5% to 20% by weight of sodium xylene sulfonate; and about 2% to 20% by weight of a water-soluble surfactant consisting of C9-C11 alcohol ethoxylates and 6 ppm of ethylene oxides; and (b) contacting the soiled object with the alkaline cleaning solution at a temperature of about 60° F. to 200° F. for about 3 to 30 minutes, wherein the object is descaled, derusted, and the machining lubricant is dissolved and removed.

Abstract: A process of waterproofing alumina-rich or silica-rich fibrous thermal insulation material, the process including the steps of:(a) providing an alumina-rich or a silica-rich fibrous material;(b) providing a waterproofing solution including:(1) a carrier solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols having from 1C to 6C, water, and mixtures thereof; and(2) an alkoxysilane defined by the formula R.sub.4-x -Si-(O-R').sub.x where x is 1-3 and R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from 1C to 10C, hydrogen, or fluorocarbon groups having from 1F to 15F; and where O-R' is an alkoxy group having from 1C to 5C, or a mixture of alkoxysilanes defined by the above formula R.sub.4-x -Si-(O-R').sub.x ; and optionally(3) modifiers including acids, such as acetic acid or nitric acid, or bases, such as ammonium hydroxide, RNH.sub.2, R.sub.2 NH, or R.sub.

Abstract: A hand assisted lamination apparatus (1) for use in making a laminated composite article, the apparatus (1) including:(a) a lay-up tool (31) for receiving plies of a composite laminating material;(b) a support table (34) for supporting the lay-up tool (31);(c) a vacuum/compressed air system for drawing a vacuum through the support table (34) and for feeding compressed air through the support table (34);(d) a laser projection system (72) for outlining the location of a ply of the composite laminating material to guide the human operator of the hand assisted lamination apparatus, the laser projection system being capable of projecting a laser beam (30) onto the lay-up tool (31) whereby the laser beam (30) traces the ply outline defined by a data set;(e) a forming/compaction bag system (35) for forming and compacting a ply of composite laminating material laid on the lay-up tool (31); and(f) an electronic control system (47) for controlling the vacuum/compressed air system, for controlling the laser projection s