Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing of pellets of chrysotile asbestos fibers, wherein asbestos fibers containing from 5 to 20% by weight of water are pelletized to form wet pellets that are subsequently dried until their residual water content reaches 0 to 1% by weight. Then, an aqueous solution or suspension of a substance compatible with the intended use of the pellets is sprayed onto the same to form a selective protective coating that eliminates release of asbestos dust and airborne particles. The obtained pellets have excellent mechanical properties that make them easy to handle, thereby allowing safe and easy transportation of chrysotile asbestos in bulk.

Abstract: A castable refractory composition for use in the production of cast refractory piece, which comprises 1 part by weight of a phosphoric acid solution (H.sub.3 PO.sub.4) having a concentration ranging from 40 to 85% and its primary acidic function partially neutralized by reaction with vermiculite; from 0.1 to 2.5 parts by weight of a mineral such as wollastonite that is refractory and of fibrous structure and may react with one part of the acidic functions of the phosphoric acid that are still free or not neutralized yet; from 0.1 to 2.5 parts by weight of another mineral such as serpentine, MgO or synthetic olivine, containing at least one cation that may react with another part of the acidic functions of the phosphoric acid that are still free or not saturated yet; and from 0.28 to 1.45 parts by weight of water, being provided that the more concentrated is the phosphoric acid solution, the higher is the amount of water to be present in the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a solid, light weight mineral foam which is stable during its preparation and during its subsequent curing and drying and which, thanks to its composition and the way it is prepared, can be injected in situ, substantially like a urethane foam. This foam has a density ranging from 10 to 65 lb/pi.sup.3 and is made of 1 part by weight of a solution of phosphoric acid of given concentration in which is dissolved polyvinyl alcohol in such an amount as to make the solution viscous; from 0.03 to 6 parts by weight of wollastonite containing from 0.5 to 4% by weight of a carbonate salt; and from 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of water. The amount of water depends on the concentration of the solution of phosphoric acid and of the required density of the foam, it being understood that the more concentrated is the solution of phosphoric acid and/or the lower is the required density, the higher is the amount of water.

Abstract: A self-fluxing binder composition for use in the pelletization of an ore concentrate, especially iron ore concentrates. The composition comprises from 50 to 98% by weight of one or more carrier having a high surface area, and from 2 to 50% by weight of a water soluble organic enhancer. The carrier is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic magnesium and/or calcium bearing minerals and preferably consists of synthetic, fibrous-like forsterite. The enhancer is selected amongst the natural polysaccharides, of high viscosity, and more preferably amongst the natural gums of high viscosity such as the guar or xanthan gum and amongst starch and is derivatives. The use of such a self-fluxing binder composition improves the properties of the green and dry pellets and makes them more easy to handle, as compared to those produced with other conventional binders. Moreover, the pellets that are produced with such a binder composition have improved metallurgical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic friction material composition useful to produce any kind of friction linings, such as brake linings or clutch linings, that have to be capable of withstanding high operating temperatures and pressures for substantial periods of time. The composition comprises a thermosetting resin having heat resistant properties, and a fibrous-like synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO: SiO2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pounds per cubic foot, a thermal conductivity K factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr. .degree.F.ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C., the weight ratio of resin to synthetic forsterite ranging from 0.25 to 0.70.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber-reinforced cement composition particularly useful to make pipes or sheets. This composition comprises up to 70% by weight of a fibrous-like synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., said synthetic forsterite having an MgO:SiO2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr. .degree.F. ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises a hydraulic binder, which is preferably Portland cement, and reinforcing fibers such as cellulose, synthetic fibers, glass wool, rock wool or their mixtures, in such an amount as to give sufficient strength to the composition to make it operative.

Abstract: An improved iron ore sinter for use in a blast furnace is made from a raw sinter mix comprising: iron-bearing materials; basic fluxes including a source of CaO and a source of MgO; and solid carbon-bearing material usually coke breeze, used as a heat-generating combustible. To produce the sinter, the raw sinter mix is subjected to a sintering treatment at a high temperature in order to cause the iron-bearing materials, fluxes and carbon-bearing material to agglomerate and sinter by incipient fusion; an air-cooling treatment in order to produce a hard lumpy substance having a porous cellular structure; and a mechanical treatment to break the lumpy substance into a specific size range. The improvement to the above sinter lies in that the source of MgO in the raw sinter mix exclusively consists of synthetic olivine obtained by calcination of serpentinite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-resistant composition particularly useful to produce heat-resistant boards, tubes, linings or similar articles, capable of resisting to a high temperature for a substantial period of time. The composition comprises from 30 to 70% by weight of a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO: SiO.sub.2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr. .degree.F. ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises colloidal silica as a binder. If desired, the composition may further comprise reinforcing fibers in such an amount as to give sufficient strength to the composition to make it operative depending on the intended use of the article produced therefrom.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing composite materials of high quality whatever be the respective amount, proportion and kind of constituents used in the starting mixture which comprises a binder made of two components capable of reacting with each other, at least one of these two components being in a liquid form, at least one filler, and reinforcing fibers, the binder being selected from the group of binders made of the following components: hydraulic cement and water; potassium and sodium silicate and water, colloidal silica and water; and organic resins and resin hardeners or catalysts. According to this process, all the liquid component of the binder is impregnated into an absorbing substance preferably consisting of vermiculite, which is compatible with the binder, the filler and the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-inflammable insulating, composite material capable of being shooted onto a surface to be coated, such as the wall of a building to be insulated. This material comprises a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysolite asbestos fibers at a temperature from 650.degree. to 1450.degree. C.; an inorganic, lightweight filler selected amongst vermiculite, perlite and their mixtures; and a non-inflammable, hydraulic or silicate binder contained in such an amount as to make the material sufficiently adhesive to be shooted as a coating, either as such or after wetting, onto the surface to be insulated. The weight ratio of the synthetic forsterite to the inorganic filler is ranging from 20:80 to 80:20 to adjust the volumic weight of the final product from about 0.20 to about 0.50 gram per cm3. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such a non inflammable, insulating, composite material in a wet, ready-to-be-shooted form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous-like synthetic forsterite obtained by the calcination of chrysotile asbestos fiber at a temperature of from 650.degree. to 1450.degree. C., said synthetic forsterite being characterized by having an MgO:SiO.sub.2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. In/Hr. .degree. F. Ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. which is useful as an insulating material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-resistant composition particularly useful to produce heat-resistant boards or tubes, capable of resisting to a high temperature for a substantial period of time. The composition comprises from 70 to 90% by weight of a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO:SiO2 ratio lower than 1:1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity "k" factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr..degree.F.ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises an organic binder such as starch or latex, a mineral binder of the silicate type such as sodium or potassium silicate, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel borated asbestos fibers which possess improved filtration properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed over chrysotile asbestos fibers which comprises oxidizing in the presence of moisture with ozone a mass of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on chrysotile asbestos fibers, whereby the hydrocarbons are degraded mainly to carbon dioxide and substantially pure chrysotile asbestos is recovered.