Abstract: The present invention provides a pigmentary titanium composite having good durability and excellent optical properties. The inventive composite consists essentially of: a particulate titanium dioxide base; a hydrous zirconium oxide layer deposited on the titanium dioxide base; and a hydrous alumina layer deposited on the hydrous zirconium oxide layer. The alumina layer consists essentially of boehmite alumina and/or pseudoboehmite alumina.The present invention also provides a method for preparing the inventive pigmentary composite. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous slurry comprising water and a particulate titanium dioxide base; (b) depositing a layer of a hydrous zirconium oxide precipitate on the titanium dioxide base; and (c) depositing a layer of a hydrous alumina precipitate on the layer of hydrous zirconium oxide. The hydrous alumina precipitate consists essentially of boehmite alumina and/or pseudoboehmite alumina.

Abstract: A process for making colored pigments based on zircon is described whereby a mixture of zirconium halide, silicon halide and a metal halide chromophore are oxidized at a temperature in the range of from about 600.degree. to about 1400.degree. C. This combustion process may be conducted in much less time than prior art procedures which calcine zirconium oxide, silicon oxide and a chromophore. Additionally, the resultant particles are sufficiently small to enable the pigment to be used immediately without need for a subsequent grinding or pulverization step, as typically required by the prior art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically attaching end plates to the ends of a railroad tie. A web of material automatically is fed to a plate assembly position. A portion of the web of material is formed into an end plate at the plate assembly position. The formed end plate is removed from the web of material. The formed end plate then automatically is connected to one end of the railroad tie. The system also senses the size of the end of the railroad tie and the end plate formed at the plate assembly position automatically is sized to be about the same size as the sensed size of the end of the railroad tie.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for connecting a rail having a rail flange to a tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly is connectable to the tie and includes an anchor slot and a seat hook assembly. The seat hook assembly is adapted to extend a distance over an upper surface of the rail flange. The rail anchor includes an anchor hook assembly adapted to extend over on the upper surface of the rail flange in an assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The rail anchor is insertable through the anchor slot in the rail seat assembly to the assembled position. The seat hook assembly is spaced a distance from the upper surface of the rail in the assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The anchor hook assembly engages one side of the rail flange and the seat hook assembly engages the opposite side of the rail flange to restrain lateral movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture comprising solid compacts, formed at elevated pressures, from homogenous, finely divided powders of spray dried water soluble inorganic compounds. The solid compacts are characterized by their readily water dissolvable, substantially nondusting and dense nature.

Abstract: A method for producing electrically conductive pigmentary composites comprising the steps of: (a) adding a cyclic monomer material and a chemical oxidant to an aqueous slurry of a finely divided pigmentary metal oxide substrate material, the chemical oxidant being suitable for effecting the polymerization of the cyclic monomer material, and (b) allowing the cyclic monomer material to deposit and polymerize on the surface of the metal oxide substrate material.

Abstract: A plurality of timbers connected to ties at a railroad grade crossing. Hooks are connected to some of the ties. When the timbers are disposed on the ties, the hooks are inserted into the timbers. Pins are disposed through the ties and through portions of the hooks for connecting the timbers to some of the ties. The timbers are connected in groups of two or three timbers to form field deck panels and gauge deck panels.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for connecting a rail having a rail flange to a tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly is connectable to the tie and includes an anchor slot and a seat hook assembly. The seat hook assembly is adapted to extend a distance over an upper surface of the rail flange. The rail anchor includes an anchor hook assembly adapted to extend over on the upper surface of the rail flange in an assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The rail anchor is insertable through the anchor slot in the rail seat assembly to the assembled position. The seat hook assembly is spaced a distance from the upper surface of the rail in the assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The anchor hook assembly engages one side of the rail flange and the seat hook assembly engages the opposite side of the rail flange to restrain lateral movement.

Abstract: Ultraviolet light stable polymeric resin compositions comprising an ultraviolet light degradable polymeric resin component and an effective ultraviolet light absorbing amount of a particulate metal titanate component.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for preparing durable titanium dioxide pigments having discrete layers of silica and alumina deposited thereon. The improved process includes careful control of the operating conditions of pH end temperature of a slurry of titanium dioxide pigment during the addition of the coating materials to the slurry and the deposition of the silica and alumina onto the pigment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of particulate pigmentary titanium dioxide. The method comprises reacting, in solution, a precursor titanium tetrahalide with sulfuric acid to produce an intermediate titanyl sulfate product. Following crystallization and recovery of this intermediate product from solution the crystallized intermediate is redissolved in an aqueous solvent medium and hydrolyzed at elevated temperatures to provide a particulate amorphous titanium dioxide intermediate product. After separation from the aqueous solvent medium, this intermediate product then is subjected to calcination at elevated temperatures to produce the desired particulate titanium dioxide end product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrically conductive pigmentary composites comprised of electrically nonconductive pigmentary metal oxide substrates to which is adhered an electrically conductive polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing free flowing powders of nonpigmentary titanium dioxide granular aggregates. The process comprises the providing of dried preforms of flocculated pigmentary titanium dioxide and the comminution thereof to powders of granular aggregates of enhanced bulk density and predetermined particle size.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing soot from an exhaust gas stream wherein the exhaust gas stream is contacted with water to provide a substantially water saturated exhaust gas stream, particles and droplets in the water saturated gas stream then are electrically charged to produce a gas stream containing electrically charged particles and droplets, and an electric field is established for electrostatically attracting and de-entraining soot and soot containing water droplets from the gas stream containing electrically charged particles and droplets to provide a substantially soot free exhaust gas stream. The present invention includes a precipitator wherein the insulators are positioned in low dew point relatively clean locations and, in one embodiment, includes the use of the exhaust gas stream to maintain the temperature level of the insulators above dew point.

Abstract: A sample shield for safely collecting a sample of fluid, such as a process liquor in a chemical processing plant is disclosed. The shield is constructed as an enclosure with one open side for access and the discharge outlet of a valved sampling line extend into the enclosure. The walls of the enclosure are transparent to make the sample collection process highly visible yet to provide appropriate protection to the sample taker against splashing and the like.

Abstract: Ultraviolet light stable polymeric resin compositions comprising an ultraviolet light degradable polymeric resin component and an effective ultraviolet light absorbing amount of a particulate metal titanate component.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide pigment slurry containing from about 70 to about 80 percent by weight solids content is provided by dewatering, at superatmospheric pressure, a highly dispersed pigment slurry containing from about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of an untreated, nonflocculated titanium dioxide pigment and which slurry has a pH of below about 4.0 or above about 8.0 to produce a wet filter cake. The wet filter cake is reslurried in the presence of a dispersing agent. The high solids content slurry preferably is prepared from rutile titanium dioxide pigment.

Abstract: There is provided a process for improving the alkaline discharge capacity of electrolytic manganese dioxide. The process comprises forming a mixture of electrolytic manganese dioxide, a carbon material and a strong base electrolyte and subjecting the mixture to electrochemical oxidation, in the presence of additional strong base electrolyte, while maintaining the mixture in an anodic condition. The process further comprises leaching the oxidized mixture to effect removal of any water soluble manganese salt byproducts formed during the electrochemical oxidation process.

Abstract: Chemically inert pigmentary zinc oxide compositions, useful in producing UV light stable polymeric resin compositions are prepared by wet treatment of chemically reactive zinc oxide base pigments utilizing a process wherein chemically inert organic or inorganic coatings are deposited thereon.

Abstract: A harvester for removing a substance deposited on the surface of a plate comprising a tool having a strike end and means for supporting the tool near the surface of the plate so the strike end of the tool strikingly engages the substance on the plate for removing the substance.