Abstract: A method of producing friction materials is capable of avoiding the problems in work environment due to the coarse particulates or organic solvents while producing the friction materials. The method includes processes of mixing under dry condition raw materials consisting primarily of thermosetting resin binders, fibrous reinforcing materials and friction modifiers, adding and mixing adhesives consisting of mixture of water and alcohol with the raw mixture so that the raw materials are wet and have viscosity. Afterwards, the wet raw mixture is granulated to form a granule material, dried, and heated-and-pressed to form a final product.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a composite material and article using nanometer-size vapor grown carbon fibers. The preferred carbon fibers are characterized by diameters of substantially less than about one micrometer, and more typically less than about 0.2 micrometers, and are of the type formed by a continuous gas phase reaction. The polymeric matrix of the composite material is formed from a thermoplastic resin having a surface tension which is sufficiently low, so as to promote wetting of the surfaces of the nanometer-size carbon fibers. The thermoplastic resin is mixed with the carbon fibers and a solvent so as to granularize the mixture and thereby facilitate subsequent handling and mixing of the carbon fibers. Final mixing occurs at temperatures near the melting point of the thermoplastic resin and for a duration which is sufficient to ensure that the carbon fibers are adequately wetted by the thermoplastic resin, so as to provide adhesion between the fibers and the thermoplastic.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a biodegradable disposable container, which container is biodegradable and reduces generation amount of the refuse, and prevents environmental pollution. The method comprises the steps of i) mixing 40-46 weight % of fine granular sawdust powder with 29-35 weight % of albumen and agitating, ii) mixing the result mixture with 17-23% of a potato starch and 4-6% of sodium metaphosphate and agitating, iii) compression-molding the result mixture into a container by a compression mold under the pressure of about 3 Kg/cm.sup.2, iv) steaming the compression-molded container in a steaming box for about 30 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 85.degree. C.-95.degree. C. and drying, and v) applying a resin coating to inner and outer surfaces of the container and drying.

Abstract: A process for fabrication of a filler for a ballast container used with frescent lighting employs a mixture of a high-density polyethylene in powdered form (derived from recycled milk containers) and dry sand. After loading the specified mixture into a ballast container to fill the unfilled volume remaining after the ballast container has electrical components installed, a closure means is placed on the loaded and filled ballast container, subsequently heated for a predetermined time period to achieve melting of the specified high-density polyethylene and dry sand mixture. After cooling the melted, high-density polyethylene, the high-density polyethylene and dry sand mixture fuses into a solid mass. A preferred mixture is comprised of a 50/50 weight percent ratio of the specified high-density polyethylene and dry sand.