Abstract: The invention relates to a metal fiber agglomerate comprising fibers with an equivalent diameter of between 1 .mu.m and 30 .mu.m and with a length of between 1 mm and 20 mm, with the feature that the core of the agglomerate contains at least one bundle of fibers oriented substantially parallel to one another, while the casing consists of a network of randomly oriented fibers. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of these metal fiber agglomerates, characterized by a succession of steps in which the agglomerate is subjected to a continuous tumbling movement.

Abstract: A surface burner for gas has a gas supply chamber (5) provided with a gas outlet side enclosed by a conically shaped burner membrane (2) fixed to a support net (1). A coupling element (3) connects the chamber (5) with gas supply (4). The burner membrane (2) includes a non-sintered fabric-type structure made of heat resistant stainless steel fiber bundles of individual fibers, wherein the individual fibers have a substantially parallel arrangement and an equivalent fiber diameter of between 1 and 150 .mu.m.

Abstract: Steel wire element for mixing into subsequently hardening soft materials includes hook-shaped ends and a middle portion the length/diameter ratio of which is between 20 and 100. The middle portion of the element displays a substantially circular cross section over essentially its entire length and the hook-shaped ends of the element are deformed by flattening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a textile fabric comprising bundles of metal filaments obtained by bundled drawing whereby the bundles in the sheet consist of filaments running substantially parallel and whereby the fabric has a thickness of preferably less than 1 mm. The fabric is obtained by processing a number of drawn composite wires, in which the bundled metal filaments are embedded in a composite matrix, into a fabric by weaving, knitting or braiding and subsequently removing the composite matrix from the fabric. The fabric can also contain plain wires besides the metal filament bundles.

Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion of a coating such as concrete to a metal strip which is helically wound around a pipe including a metal strip having the longitudinal and transverse wires, choosing distances between neighboring longitudinal wires that are evenly distributed over the length of the pipe including overlapping zones, overlapping the longitudinal wires having greater deformations which are offset from the longitudinal wires with smaller deformations in a direction along the central axis of the pipe and are offset in a direction away from the central axis of the pipe and all the deformations are disposed in the same plane.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of elastomeric products comprises a core and a layer arranged around the core. The core comprises one to four core filaments (12) and the layer comprises three to ten layer filaments (14). At least one of the core filaments (12) have a first wave form and at least one of the layer filaments (14) have a second wave form such that the first wave form is substantially different from said second wave form.This allows to control the size of the micro-gaps and to guarantee rubber penetration.

Abstract: A composite longitudinally balanced electrically conductive yarn has a textile fiber core yarn wrapped with a minimum of two, and a maximum four, filaments. One to four of the filaments are metal filaments with the remainder being synthetic filaments. Each metal filament has an equivalent diameter of between 20 and 80 microns, and a wrap frequency of between 200 and 600 turns per meter. At least one of the metal filaments is wrapped in one direction, and at least one of the remaining filaments is wrapped in the opposite direction. The composite yarns of this invention is capable of elongation to accommodate tensile stresses under use, without experiencing a change in conductivity.

Abstract: Grid-shaped reinforcement strip is configured for reinforcing masonry joints, and includes at least one substantially straight elongated reinforcement wire having a substantially rectangularly cross section. There is a further reinforcement wire having a substantially rectangular cross section that is spaced apart from the at least one reinforcement wire. At least one connecting wire extends between opposed faces of such at least two spaced apart reinforcement wires. An unflattened weld attaches the at least one connecting wire to respective ones of opposed faces of such at least two reinforcement wires. The connecting wire preferably has a substantially round cross section, and the thickness of the at least one connecting wire is as thick or less thick than the thickness of the at least two reinforcement wires.

Abstract: A fabric (144) for use as a stab-resistant insert in protective textiles comprises a plurality of steel cords (100). Each of the steel cords (100) comprises a longitudinal axis (102) and two or more steel filaments (104). Each of the steel filaments (104) forme a twisting angle .alpha. with the longitudinal axis (102) of the steel cord (100). The steel cords (100) have two or more of such twisting angles which are substantially different from each other so that any penetrating stab or knife is stopped.

Abstract: A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:(i) the distance between two minimum radii of curvature of said curve measured along the longitudinal central axis (112) is different from half the cord pitch; or(ii) if all of said elements (100) provide a convex curve, at least one of said convex curves substantially differs from another convex curve.

Abstract: Steel fiber reinforced concrete with very high flexural strength. A concrete composition is used with a compressive strength P of at least 80 N/mm.sup.2. Mixed in the concrete are fibers made by a cold work hardening cross-section reduction operation, having a length-to-thickness ratio ranging from 60 to 120, and with a grappling form. The tensile strength T of the steel is in a proportion with respect to the compressive strength P according to the formula T/P>17.

Abstract: A steel cord adapted for the reinforcement of an elastomer comprises steel filaments of a pearlitic structure. The steel cord has a plastic and elastic elongation at break of x % and a plastic and elastic elongation capability in the vulcanized elastomer of y %, the values x and y fulfilling following equation:y-0.50.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.y+0.50,which means that the total elongation at break does not fall down considerably after embedding the steel cord into an elastomer.

Abstract: Method of winding a strip of material includes providing a reel having a first flange and a second flange, with a core disposed between the first and second flanges. A cross groove is provided in the core, the cross groove being configured for receiving a strip of material therein. A strip of material is then provided in the cross groove. The strip of material may be a strip of the type having a plurality of wires disposed adjacent to each other. The plurality of wires may be glued together. One or more pegs may be provided to connect the first flange to the second flange. A tube may be provided in order to receive the peg. A spool of such wound strip material includes first and second flanges spaced apart by a core. A cross groove provided in the core receives a leading end of a strip of material.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) for the reinforcement of timing belts or transmission belts comprises only two to five strands (12) tightly twisted with each other in a first direction at a cord twisting pitch. Each of said strands (12) comprises only two to seven steel filaments (14) tightly twisted with each other in this first direction at a strand twisting pitch. The steel filaments (14) have a diameter ranging from 0.03 to 0.40 mm. The ratio strand twisting pitch to filament diameter is greater than 30, the ratio cord twisting pitch to filament diameter is greater than 30, and the ratio cord twisting pitch to strand twisting pitch is greater than 1. Such a steel cord has an acceptable low torsion moment under axial loads.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) comprises eight or more strands (12, 14) twisted together. Each of the strands has a substantially same cord twisting direction and a substantially same cord twisting pitch in the steel cord, and each of the strands consists of two to five individual filaments (16, 18) twisted together. Such a multi-strand steel cord can be manufactured without having to twist the individual strands separately and beforehand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a layered reflector (1) for light radiation comprising: a) a scratch resistant outer layer (2) transmitting this radiation, b) a first resin layer (3) bonded to it, which is provided with slip properties at least at its contact side (7) with the outer layer (2) and which layer c) is covered at its opposite side with a layer (4) reflecting said radiation and which by interposition of a bonding layer (6), d) is laminated to a second resin layer (5) which has slip properties at least at its free outer surface (8) opposite to the contact side bonding layer. The invention relates also to a process and intermediate products for manufacturing the reflector as well as a self-adhesive reflector (15) derived therefrom and a light reflecting structure (16).

Abstract: A steel cord (30) consists of a first group and a second group. The first group comprises two or more plastically deformed outer steel filaments (10) twisted around each other with a first twist pitch and the second group comprises one or more plastically deformed inner steel filaments (20) twisted around each other with a second twist pitch. The second group is twisted around the first group with a cord twist pitch. One of the inner or the outer steel filaments having a part load elongation of x %, all the other inner and outer steel filaments having a part load elongation of y %, whereby x and y fulfil the equation:x-0.10.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.x+0.10,and where all the inner and outer steel filaments have a deforming pitch that is substantially equal to the cord twist pitch.

Abstract: A wire reinforcement for women's garments designed to support the breasts exhibits an axial cross section with a long axis and a short axis perpendicular to the long axis. The long axis has a length, and the short axis has a center thickness which is smaller than half of the length. Along the long axis, the cross section has a left end with a left thickness and a right end with a right thickness. Both the left thickness and the right thickness are substantially greater than the center thickness. Such a wire reinforcement is very rigid in the direction of the long axis and is flexible in the other directions and in relation to torsional stresses.

Abstract: A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:(i) the distance between two minimum radii of curvature of said curve measured along the longitudinal central axis (112) is different from half the cord pitch; or(ii) if all of said elements (100) provide a convex curve, at least one of said convex curves substantially differs from another convex curve.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the authenticity of a security document (28). The security document (28) comprises a base material and in its volume particles having some electromagnetic properties which are substantially different from the corresponding electromagnetic properties of the base material. The apparatus comprises at least one emitter (18) for emitting near infrared or visible waves to the document (28), at least one detector (20) for detecting any of the emitted near infrared or visible waves reflected from the document (28) and means (30) for processing the detected near infrared or visible waves in order to differentiate the security document (28) from a document comprising electromagnetic particles or parts on its surface.