Abstract: A method of inhibiting the fatigue of aluminum comprising the steps of immersing aluminum in an aqueous solution of a water soluble cyanide compound at room temperature and continuously maintaining the aluminum in contact with the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is substantially free of chromium.

Abstract: In forming foundation piers in the earth, a slurry of earth support material such as bentonite clay is mixed under high shear mixing conditions and introduced into the hole as drilling thereof progresses to provide lateral support for the side walls of the hole. Plastic concrete is then injected into the hole, displacing the slurry upwardly until the hole is filled with concrete to the desired level.The slurry may be recovered for reuse in drilling and forming another foundation pier.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor mixture for ammonium sulfate-based fire-retardant compositions includes a water-soluble cyanide compound and ammonium phosphate.

Abstract: A fluid mixer for mixing a carrier liquid such as water with a thickening agent such as a liquid polymer employs a mixing apparatus in the form of an elbow pipe interconnecting the carrier liquid inlet with a discharge pipe. The polymer thickener is introduced into the fluid stream of the carrier liquid at a point on the outer radius of the elbow where the high velocity stream of carrier liquid impinges upon the side of the elbow pipe to cause the thickener to be impinged upon by the carrier stream at the point of its highest velocity to impart maximum hydraulic shear to the thickener liquid, insuring optimum mixing of the two liquids in the discharge pipe.

Abstract: A fluid-blending system supplies a constant preestablished ratio of two or more fluids through a common output conduit over a wide range of variations of the flow rate established through the output conduit by a pump controlling such flow rate. This constant ratio also is maintained in spite of variations in the different head pressures of the fluids supplied to the blender. Separate fluid supply chambers are used for each of the fluids to be blended and are connected in common to the output conduit. The inlet orifices for each of the fluid supply chambers are normally closed by diaphragm-controlled valves mounted in the chambers. The amount of valve opening is controlled by pressure-sensing diaphragms in response to a partial vacuum created by the demand for fluid in the output conduit.

Abstract: The tendency of polyphosphate liquids to corrode aluminum is inhibited by incorporating into the liquid a minor effective amount of an iron cyanide blue, either ferric ferrocyanide or ferrous ferricyanide.