Abstract: A binder for producing a refractory body made of a basic aluminum lactate and polyethylene glycol, the latter material of which functions to prevent shrinkage of the molded product upon hardening and prevent cracks. Alkanolamines and an aromatic carboxylic acids may be further added to enhance the properties of the polyethylene glycol in preventing cracks.

Abstract: Silica base material for dentifrice having excellent transparency, prolonged stability and desired abrasiveness, has specific surface areas measured by BET method and CTAB method of 5-60 m.sup.2 /g respectively with a difference therebetween of less than 40 m.sup.2 /g, and having a refractive index of 142-1.45. This base material can be prepared by reacting an alkali metal silicate solution with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid in the presence of an electrolyte in two stages, a silica crystallization stage in which the pH of the reaction system is brought to 10.0, and a neutralization stage in which the pH of the reaction system is brought to 8.0-6.5, completing the neutralization stage within 30 minutes and aging the neutralized mixture for at least 10 minutes. The ratio of the rate of addition of chloride or sulfate ions between the neutralization and crystallization stages is at least 5:3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic amorphous zirconium-bonded silicate obtained by reacting, as main starting materials, a water-soluble alkali-metal silicate with an inorganic zirconyl salt and a mineral acid, in which zirconium is bonded to silica at the ratio of ZrO.sub.2 to SiO.sub.2 being 0.1 to 10 weight percent, which silicate is useful as a dentifrice base material and also as a filler for rubber.

Abstract: A water-soluble vinyl polymer is produced by polymerizing a water-soluble vinyl monomer in the presence of a catalyst or under the action of ultraviolet rays to prepare a polymer having a degree of polymerization of at least 95%, adjusting the water content of the system containing said polymer to be within the range of from 15 to 30%, and irradiating said system with ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A process for the production of water-soluble, substantially solid, cationic polymers comprises the step of irradiating an aqueous solution with ionizing radiation, the aqueous solution comprising at least 50% by weight of one, or two or more of specific type of amino ester or esters optionally being accompanied by acrylamide, and at least 0.1% by weight of a specific type of alcohol as an agent for inhibiting water-insolubility of the resulting polymer.The amino esters have the generic formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represents an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and x.sup.(-) represents an anion; or from the combination of at least one of said amino esters and acrylamide.

Abstract: A process for producing .alpha.-type hemihydrate calcium sulfate by oxidizing calcium sulfite with an oxidizing agent in a suspension containing at least one anionic, nonionic or amphoteric surface active agent.