Abstract: Concrete materials are impregnated with liquids which harden within concrete pores and microcracks, and develop a sharp contrast with the body of concrete in microscopic images. The impregnation process involves vacuum application to remove air from concrete pores and microcracks, followed by the introduction of liquids under pressure. The sharp contrast between the impregnated (and hardened) liquid and the body of concrete facilitates distinction of pores and microcracks in microscopic images for the purpose of automated image analysis.

Abstract: A method of efficiently coating surfaces of solder alloy spheres by a vapor deposition process using a solvent-based coating solution including a low viscosity organic material and at least one solute, such as a surfactant. The method surface coats solder alloy spheres to minimize or eliminate physical and chemical damage to surfaces of spheres prior to use in surface mounting applications.

Abstract: A process for forming a synthetic based nonwoven web bonded with a crosslinkable polymer wherein an aqueous polymeric emulsion containing a crosslinkable polymer is applied to the synthetic based nonwoven web, the water removed, and the crosslinkable polymer crosslinked. The crosslinkable polymer incorporates acetoacetate functionality and carboxylic acid functionality; wherein crosslinking is achieved by the reaction of the acetoacetate with an effective amount of a polyaldehyde and the reaction of the carboxylic acid with an effective amount of a polyaziridine compound.

Abstract: The composite nickel fine powder includes surface-oxidized nickel fine particles and at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxides and complex oxides of at least one metal element having an atomic number ranging from 12 to 56 or 82 and belonging to Group 2 to 14 of the Periodic Table on the surface of the surface-oxidized nickel fine particles.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates such as monofilaments, bundles of monofilaments, and fibrous structural material with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is suspended or dissolved in a supercritical fluid, near-critical fluid, superheated fluid, superheated liquid, or a liquified gas and is deposited by rapidly altering the pressure in a chamber to deposit the modifying material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method and container for reducing fuming of asphalt in a heated vessel, including placing asphalt in a heated vessel to heat the asphalt to a molten state, adding a blanket material to the asphalt, the blanket material being substantially insoluble in the molten asphalt to form a skim thereon to reduce fuming therefrom.

Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricating coating that is thermally cured at less than 200° C. or radiation-cured. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts and with relatively low or no water content, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping, renewable lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide dry lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.

Abstract: A sound insulation lining for ducts. The duct is fabricated in a conventional manner and then a latex solution is sprayed on the interior surfaces. The sprayed layer is ⅛ inch thick and will take the place of conventional duct lining which is 1 to 2 inches thick.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fast drying two or multi-component waterborne coating on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises applying a first component comprising a binder and a second component, being separate from the first component prior to application, comprising an absorber, and compositions and/or formulations prepared therefrom.

Abstract: An electrophotographic transfer paper of the present invention has a basis weight of 60 to 100 g/m2, which is coated by a film at least on one side, and has an average surface centerline roughness (Ra) of 1.5 &mgr;m or less, volume resistivity of 1×109 &OHgr;cm or more at 30° C./80% RH and paper stiffness of 16 cm or more, and prevents uneven discharge under low humidity conditions, and produces no faulty images and shows sufficient paper transportability under high humidity conditions.

Abstract: Using a self-cleaning spray chamber for feed pellets including a dry mass flow meter operatively coupled to a hopper for feed pellet flow and a spray chamber. The spray chamber is configured so that the pellet flow leaving the dry mass flow meter strikes the side wall of the spray chamber that opposes the nozzles located within the spray chamber, thereby causing the pellets to frictionally clean the chamber side wall. This cleaning action substantially reduces the need for manually cleaning the spray chamber as the flow of pellets through the spray chamber removes the liquid additive and assists in the coating of the pellets within the spray chamber. The flow meter provides a wide, relatively thin ribbon of pellets to the wall of the spray chamber that opposes the nozzles. This provides a more even distribution of pellets for coating and better protects the sidewall from overspray coating.

Abstract: A process for preparing grit blasting particles coated with titanium dioxide by sinter-fusing titanium dioxide on the surface of grit blasting particles made of a base material. A mixture of finely divided titanium dioxide and grit blasting particles is passed continuously through the flame in a flame reactor, with the aid of conveying air, wherein the titanium dioxide is sinter-fused on the surface of the grit blasting particles over an average residence time of 0.1 to 5 seconds in a temperature range from 600 to 1200° C. An increase in the adhesive bond between metal framework and a facing material made of plastics in dentures can be achieved when metal framework is grit blasted with a grit blasting agent containing titanium dioxide coated grit blasting particles and then the grit blasted and titanium dioxide coated surface is treated with a silane bonding agent.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion of aluminum and other metal-containing surfaces exposed to environmental conditions, including moisture, salt and extreme temperatures, for extended periods. In one embodiment, an aqueous silicate solution is applied to a water break free aluminum alloy surface, forming a silicate protective film on the surface. After the silicate compound protective film dries, an aqueous dichromate solution is applied to the surface, forming a dichromate sealant layer on top of the silicate protective film. The combination of silicate compound protective film and dichromate compound sealant layer provides significant corrosion-inhibiting effects, protecting the underlying metal surface from corrosion for periods more than a year even when the metal surface is exposed to rain, salt fog, and extremes of temperature.

Abstract: A fluidized bed coating apparatus is provided and includes a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluidizing fluid. The fluid inlet has an entrance opening having a first diameter and an exit opening downstream of the entrance opening. The exit opening has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The inlet also includes an expanding inlet section, between the entrance opening and the exit opening, that has an average diameter that increases in a direction from said entrance opening to said exit opening. A fluid distribution plate is provided adjacent the exit opening and includes a plurality of through-passages to allow the even and distributed passage of a fluidizing fluid therethrough. A chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet is provided and the fluid distribution plate is positioned between the exit opening and the chamber inlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions and systems comprising pre-expanded or non-expandable microspheres that provide effective insulation for the target airbag fabric during exothermic inflation. The inventive airbag fabrics are either pre-calendered prior to application of this composition or are coated through a gap (floating) knife method with such heat-expandable microsphere-containing compositions. The coated airbag fabrics and cushions may then be heated to evaporate the solvent within the coating composition. The resultant fabric thus exhibits the presence of the microsphere constituents of the coating compositions both within the interstices between the individual yarns of the fabric and over the raised yarns of the fabric.

Abstract: The method of making a coated paper having a thermal shrinkage force (R), which satisfies the following relationship 0≦R≦45 gf, includes coating a paper web on both sides with an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol to form a coated paper web, drying the coated paper web to form a base paper with a polyvinyl alcohol coating having a coating weight on a dry basis of 0.5 to 5.0 g/m2 per side of the base paper and then applying a coating composition composed of an adhesive and at least one inorganic pigment to the base paper having the polyvinyl alcohol coating, followed by drying in order to form a coating layer on the base paper. The aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol preferably has a viscosity of from 100 to 2000 mPa·s measured with a Brookfield viscometer at 60 rpm and 20° C. and the polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in the aqueous solution has a saponification degree of not less than 85 mol %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and frictive fluid composition for application to a shoelace knot, whereby the shoelace becomes more resistant to untying. The frictive fluid contains a volatile solvent and a frictive powder.

Abstract: A composition and method is described for providing conformal protective or decorative polymer coatings on metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, steel, zinc, and their formation by dip autopolymerization. In accordance with the present invention, an acidic solution of organic monomer undergoes autopolymerization upon contact with a metal substrate, thereby forming a polymeric coating on the substrate. The method comprises providing the acidic monomer solution, dipping the metal substrate to be coated for a prescribed period of time depending on the thickness of the coating desired, and then removing the substrate from the solution. Importantly, the polymerization requires no application of external driving force, such as thermal or electrical energy. The coatings thus formed are up to 50 microns thick, and conform to the shape of the substrate. These coatings further have uniform thickness, and excellent thermal stability and protective properties.

Abstract: A novel hydrothermal gel process for preparing silicalite particles suitable for use in composite membranes for pervaporation processes is disclosed. A novel process for preparing a silicon-silicalite composite membrane is also disclosed. The novel hydrothermal gel process produces silicalite particles having a diameter from about 0.1 micrometers to about 0.2 micrometers in high yield.