Abstract: A process for preparing the sodium or calcium salt of propionic acid, comprising fermenting with the bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium an aqueous medium containing corn steep liquor or soy peptone, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and sodium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, or calcium hydroxide as a neutralizing agent, the said process providing a yield in the said medium of at least 1% of the salt of propionic acid.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of vermiculite lamellae is provided having incorporated therein from about 0.2 to about 10% by weight of at least one internal sizing agent based on the dry weight of the vermiculite in the dispersion.

Abstract: The color and color stability of tall oil fractions are improved and the odor and sulfur content are reduced by treating the heated black liquor soap skimmings prior to acidulation with 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % hydrogen peroxide for at least one minute.

Abstract: A process for starting up the continuous production of butyric acid by fermentation of a medium containing a starting amount of a nutrient substrate and a microorganism that converts the nutrient into butyric acid, that avoids an excess of nutrient in the fermentation broth and comprises the steps of (1) fermenting in a fermentor in batch style an amount of the medium that is substantially less than the working volume of the fermentor until the amount of the nutrient not yet converted is no more than a small fraction of the starting amount, (2) adding medium to the fermentor without removing any of the fermentation broth, until it contains approximately its working volume, then, (3) while continuing the addition, removing the fermentation broth containing the butyric acid product at a continuous rate that maintains a constant volume of medium in the fermentor, and thereafter maintaining continuous operation of the fermentation.

Abstract: Compositions comprised of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene slurried in a styrene monomer containing a styrene crosslinker and a free radical catalyst are disclosed. These slurries are subjected to heating in a mold whereby the polyethylene phase is dissolved in the styrene monomer and the styrene monomer is polymerized to form a shaped article. The polystyrene/polyethylene product has unique properties.

Abstract: Acrylate copolymers comprising (a) repeating units derived from at least one acrylic or methacrylic ester and, by weight of the total copolymer, (b) about 0.1 to 3% of repeating units derived from at least one water-soluble monomer possessing conjugated unsaturation and (c) about 0.1 to 3% of repeating units derived from at least one water-soluble allyl monomer; aqueous polyacrylate dispersions comprising such polymers; and a process of preparing the same. Optionally, the copolymers contain other free-radical polymerizable monomers.

Abstract: A stable extrudable non-azide crash bag propellant composition for generating high quality nitrogen gas and a low temperature process for producing the same from an extrudable mass containing an effective amount of a cellulose-based binder.

Abstract: Novel thermoset and thermoplastic organosilicon polymers, comprised substantially of alternating polycyclic hydrocarbon residues and cyclic polysiloxane or tetrahedral siloxysilane residues linked through carbon-silicon bonds, are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel organosilicon prepolymer, which is the partial reaction product of (a) a cyclic polysiloxane or a tetrahedral siloxysilane containing at least two hydrosilane groups and (b) a polycyclic polyene having in its rings at least two chemically distinguishable carbon-carbon double bonds, wherein the ratio of carbon-carbon double bonds in the rings of (b) to hydrosilane groups in (a) is greater than 0.5:1 and up to 1.8:1, and at least one of the compounds (a) and (b) has more than two reactive sites, a method for making the organosilicon prepolymer, and a method for preparing an organosilicon polymer therefrom, are disclosed.

Abstract: A metathesis catalyst activator composition consisting essentially of an alkoxyalkylaluminum halide and a tin compound in a molar ratio of about 0.15 to 2 moles of the alkoxyalkylaluminum halide per mole of tin compound.

Abstract: A composition comprising (A) (i) a crosslinked organosilicon polymer or crosslinkable organosilicon prepolymer comprising alternating (a) cyclic polysiloxane or tetrahedral siloxysilane residues and (b) polycyclic hydrocarbon residues derived from polycyclic polyenes having at least two non-aromatic, non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds in their rings linked through carbon to silicon bonds, wherein at least one of the cyclic polysiloxanes or tetrahedral siloxysilanes (a) or the polycyclic polyenes (b) used to form the polymer or prepolymer has more than two reactive sites; or (ii) a crosslinked or crosslinkable linear poly(organohydrosiloxane) polymer having at least 30% of its .tbd.

Abstract: A method of making an elastomer lined composite vessel or portion of such vessel is disclosed. The method comprises causing a thin, tacky ribbon comprising an elastomer (preferably curable) to continuously so encircle a center rotational axis of a madrel as to adjacently position and tack together integral segments of the ribbon substantially circumferentially relative to this center rotational axis thereby forming a layer of the elastomer about the mandrel which may be the shell of the pressure vessel in case of internal application of the insulator or may be a workpiece around which the shell is built over the so-layed ribbon.

Abstract: A papermaking additive useful for papermaking in a neutral to alkaline pH region, which comprises as an active component a water-soluble copolymer comprising as constituent monomers (a) 0.1 to 20 mole % of a specific bisquaternary ammonium (meth)acrylamide, (b) 0 to 20 mole % of a specific acrylamide or acrylic ester derivative such as an aminoalkyl (meth)acrylamide or an aminoalkyl (meth)acrylate, or a salt thereof, (c) 50 to 99.9 mole % of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide, and (d) 0 to 10 mole % of an alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof. The additive increases paper strength and filler retention and size retention.

Abstract: Described are novel thermosetting maleimide compositions suitable for making cured resins, prepregs and tough thermoset composites. The thermosetting compositions comprise a multifunctional maleimide and a terminally unsaturated polyamide, polyimide, or polyamideimide oligomer which is soluble in the composition. The cured resins have a fracture toughness, K.sub.IC, of at least 1.0 MPam 1/2 and a glass transition temperature of at least 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for measuring extremely low concentrations of non-aqueous constituents or chemicals in a water/matrix, including differentiating between pulp fines and extremely low concentrations of individual chemicals in a water/cellulose matrix such as occur in papermaking. The water/matrix is exposed to the near-infrared spectrum from 1000 to 2500 nm to produce a recorded voltage that is directly proportional to the absorption by the non-aqueous constituent. The amount non-aqueous constituent is determined from stored voltage values of incremental additions of the non-aqueous constituent.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for forming diamond coatings whereby a silent discharge, such as a DC glow discharge, is used to form a plasma containing activated species. The plasma is then expanded through a nozzle to form a low temperature plasma jet which contacts a substrate to form the diamond coating. The plasma initially contains a mixture of hydrogen and carbon based gases such as methane. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen is initially present in the plasma and the carbon containing gas (carbon containing molecules e.g. methane, carbon monoxide) is subsequently mixed into the plasma jet downstream of the nozzle throat and allowed to react with the activated hydrogen, prior to the plasma jet contacting the substrate.

Abstract: Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber in the form of a filament bundle has a high Modulus and a high Tensile Strength in the Impregnated Strand Test respectively between about 42 million and 50 million psi and between about 600,000 and 900,000 psi, and Short Beam Shear Strength between about 15,000 and 19,000 psi in the Laminate Test; this PAN-based carbon fiber also has an electrolytically treated surface at 0.2 to 0.8 columbs per inch per approximate 12,000 filaments. The preparation of this PAN-based carbon fiber was accomplished by stretching during carbonization previously stretched and stabilized fine denier precursor while maintaining temperatures and heat up rates within certain ranges.

Abstract: A molded article is produced by metathesis polymerization of a mixture containing at least one metathesis polymerizable monomer, a metathesis polymerization catalyst and an organic or inorganic filler material which has been treated with a vinyl-substituted silane coupler having at least one hydrolyzable group in addition to the vinyl group.

Abstract: Processes for preparing 2,3-dihydro-1,3-dialkyl-2,2-dialkyl perimidines and N,N'-dialkyl-1,8-naphthalene diamines are disclosed. The 2,3-dihydro-1,3-dialkyl-2,2-dialkyl perimidines are prepared by alkylating 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dialkyl perimidines with an alkylating agent in a water miscible organic solvent at room temperature to 80.degree. C. in the presence of water and an inorganic base. N,N'-dialkyl-1,8-naphthalene diamines are prepared by hydrolyzing the 2,3-dihydro-1,3-dialkyl-2,2-dialkyl perimidines with strong aqueous acid in an aqueous organic solvent and removing a ketone by-product and the aqueous organic solvent by codistillation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for installing an elastomeric liner in a pressure vessel. The process comprises winding a tacky ribbon around an expandable mandrel, inserting it in the vessel shell, expanding the mandrel and optionally curing the wound ribbon.