Abstract: A process for the continuous agglomeration of granular tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders which cannot be processed from the melt to give molding powders having a high bulk density, an improved powder flow and particle stability and a narrow particle size distribution is described. In this process, the powder to be agglomerated is first introduced uniformly into a pretreatment stage and is dispersed and pre-agglomerated in this stage in the liquid agglomeration medium, composed of water and an organic liquid capable of wetting polytetrafluoroethylene, is then agglomerated to the desired average particle diameter in an agglomeration stage and is finally treated further in an after-treatment stage in order to develop the final shape of the particles. Finally, the powder is separated from the liquid medium and is dried.

Abstract: A method for continuously manufacturing finely divided magnesium, and similar metals, in which a liquid stream of magnesium ejected from a nozzle is impacted by a high velocity stream of inert gas to "atomize" the liquid magnesium, including the intermittent entrainment of an abrasive powder in the inert gas stream to remove the build-up of solid magnesium or magnesium compounds that otherwise would collect on the end of the nozzle and interfere with continuous operation of the "atomizing" process.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a multi-compartment hopper into each compartment of which various particulated materials are fed at a grain size according to the quality of the particular layer desired in the end product, which can be in the form of a board or a animal feed cakes in strip form, and wherein the materials are continuously but controllably fed into a pressing chamber onto which a forward pressing piston operates in one preferred direction, namely the direction of the feed, and a pair of side pressing pistons act from both sides, the interaction of all pressing means forcing the pressed product into a canal at the output of the pressing chamber where it may undergo further treatment such as by heating.

Abstract: A flowable thermoplastic polymer powder is fed to the nip of a pair of cooperatively rotating compression rolls whereupon the polymer feed is passed between the rolls which compact and cause the particles to coalesce into a shaped article which thereupon emerges from between the rolls in the form of a sheet or film. During the operation, the circumferential speed of the rolls is maintained essentially equal to the linear speed of the sheet or film exiting therefrom. The sheet or film is withdrawn from between the rolls under tension at a force which is adjusted so as not to exceed the elastic limit of the resulting sheet or film product. Flowable thermosetting polymer powder is also compacted into fully dense products by feeding the powder to the nip of a pair of cooperatively rotating compression rolls, whereupon the polymer feed is passed between rolls which compact and cause the particles to cold weld.

Abstract: A method for forming articles such as crates in which sides of the crate extend generally perpendicular to the base of the crate. The method includes forming a layer of loose binder coated wood particles, precompressing selected portions of the layer which form the sides of the crate, bending the precompressed portions upwardly, inserting the so formed layer in a mould and compressing the layer in the mould to form the desired article. The initial layer can be slightly compressed to hold the particles together and the base of the article can also be slightly precompressed but to a lesser extent than the portions which form the sides.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing ultra fine particles of metal by delivering a molten stream of metal onto a rotating primary annular surface, discharging molten fine droplets from the edge of the primary annular surface against an inclined secondary annular surface surrounding the primary surface at an angle such that the molten droplets striking the secondary surface are sub-divided and discharged from the secondary surface to be cooled and collected as ultra fine particles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ammonium sulfate granules in which a starting solution of ammonium sulfate is spray dried, thereafter granulated by the addition of finely sprayed, highly concentrated water solution of ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: A mixture of binder and fibrous material is introduced into the upper regions of a mat-forming zone. The mixture is intersected by a horizontally or upwardly directed air stream and entrained therein, then layered onto at least one foraminous wire by exhausting the entraining air through said foraminous wire or wires. By reducing turbulence and by controlling the manner in which the particulate matter is deposited upon the foraminous wires, uniform non-woven webs can be obtained which may be used in a variety of ways to form versatile building products.

Abstract: Polycarbonate or copoly(carbonate/phosphonate) resins of low bulk density are compacted by mechanical pressure into easily handleable and processable mattes which can be used to produce pellets. Typically loose material with a bulk density less than about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 is compacted to a matte of material with a bulk density greater than about 1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A mixture of binder and fibrous material is introduced into the upper regions of a mat-forming zone. The mixture is intersected by a horizontally or upwardly directed air stream and entrained therein, then layered onto at least one foraminous wire by exhausting the entraining air through said foraminous wire or wires. By reducing turbulence and by controlling the manner in which the particulate matter is deposited upon the foraminous wires, uniform non-woven webs can be obtained which may be used in a variety of ways to form versatile building products.

Abstract: A process in which phenolic substances, particularly lignin sulfonate, are used to produce a binder for wood materials. The phenolic substance is activated by displacing it with enzymes. Phenolic groups of the phenolic substance become oxidatively polymerized by a radical mechanism, so that the phenolic substance is changed into an active binder.

Abstract: A process for molding a friction material for use as brake lining in automobiles, trucks, buses or similar vehicles. The brake lining contains no more than traces of asbestos and utilizes the mineral vermiculite as a basic constituent. The formulation of the brake lining comprises a non-fibrous natural or synthetic mineral or mineral-like material which on being compressed at ambient temperatures and at pressures of 1700 to 2600 p.s.i. has significant green strength in the order of 2 to 25 p.s.i. and also has appropriate thermal resistance, frictional properties, and shear and flexural strengths, together with a thermosetting resin as the basic components together with other organic and inorganic materials as friction modifiers and fillers. The mineral preferably comprises vermiculite, and together with the resin comprises preferably about 35% to 95% by weight of the brake lining formulation. The ratio by weight of resin to vermiculite is preferably in a range having a upper limit not exceeding about 1.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming molded articles from particulate plastic material. A hollow heat-conductive male mold is surrounded with particulate plastic material. Heat is applied to the interior of the mold until the temperature of the outer surface is above the fusion temperature and below the melting temperature of the particulate plastic material. This temperature is maintained until an article of desired thickness is formed. Thereafter, loose particulate material is removed from the outer surface of the molded article and heat is again applied to the interior of the mold so as to cause the outer surface of the molded article to become smoother. Finally, the article and mold are cooled and the article is removed from the mold.

Abstract: Tetrafluoroethylene polymer tubes suitable for the preparation of lined pipe are prepared by ram extrusion wherein the tube is extruded above the sinter temperature and cooled below its crystalline melting point while radially unsupported to provide a tube of improved dimensional stability under thermal cycling.

Abstract: There are produced mixed granulates of carbon black-light filler using carbon black and an aqueous suspension of a light filler, e.g. precipitated in a pin containing screw granulator.

Abstract: A process for pelletizing limestone or other fines into pellets, having controlled properties of hardness and liquid dispersion, by the addition of a suitable binder and water to form a cohesive plastic mix and by extrusion at relatively low pressures through a plurality of orifices in a specially designed die plate. The orifices in the plate are of a predetermined length relative to the thickness of the die plate. Each orifice in the die plate is formed at the inlet end thereof with a compacting zone in which the mix is compacted as it enters the orifice, a zone in which the mix is subjected to a damped flow and high longitudinal stresses, and a zone on leaving the orifice so as to effect microstructure cracks in the surface of the extruded product. The product is vibrated or tumbled for breaking at the surface cracks therein into pellets of a substantially uniform size and is subsequently dried under controlled temperature and time conditions in order to enhance hardness and dispersibility characteristics.

Abstract: Particle boards are currently prepared by treating the particles (e.g. wood chips) with a binder comprising an organic polyisocyanate and, optionally, a release agent and then subjecting the treated particles to a molding process involving heat and pressure. The resulting particle board will generally release well from the caul plates of the press after forming. However, it has been found that the ease of release is enhanced, particularly where the wood particles in the board are derived from hardwood, by utilizing a metal selected from magnesium and zinc in the metallic surfaces of the caul plates or platens which come into contact with the particle board during the application of heat and pressure.

Abstract: Powdered metal of improved cleanliness and uniformity of particle size is produced by directing a stream of the molten metal into a container having peripherial walls formed of a porous material, such as ceramic foam, having a network of fine passageways extending therethrough. The container is rotated to centrifugally force the molten metal through the porous peripherial walls of the container and to eject the molten metal from the container in the form of fine droplets while inclusions present in the molten metal are filtered and retained in the porous ceramic material, and whereby a metal powder is formed upon cooling and solidifying of the droplets.

Abstract: The granulation of molten material using a heat transfer process whereby solid particles are heated, dried, or cooled by a gas: Particles are repeatedly lifted and dropped as, for example, in flighted rotary drums. By forced recirculation, gas is passed through showering particles generally perpendicular to their plane of fall. Examples show gas forced to contact particles in this manner imparts an overall volumetric heat transfer coefficient to a rotary drum superior to that expected from classical literature or presently operating rotary drum heat exchangers. Disclosure teaches gas temperature adjustment between forced recirculations. Technique usage will reduce exchanger capital cost, increase energy efficiency, and reduce pollution problems. Also, prewetting of the particles in certain instances can be utilized to effect substantially increased pseudo volumetric heat transfer coefficients when cooling non-hygroscopic materials.

Abstract: A method for encapsulation of a liquid or meltable solid material, comprises the steps of forming a jet of a material to be encapsulated, simultaneously forming a coaxial jet of a capsule-forming material surrounding the jet of the material to be encapsulated, forming a coaxial jet of a heated circulating liquid surrounding the coaxial composite jet of the capsule-forming material and the material to be encapsulated, introducing the resultant coaxial triple jet into a flow of a cooling liquid to form capsules composed of a core of the material to be encapsulated and a capsule or coating film of the capsule-forming material. The heated circulating liquid has a temperature close to or higher than that of the capsule-forming material.