Abstract: A gasket is described. The gasket comprises a sealing layer and a support layer. The sealing layer is formed from a resilient material which comprises a CEV component in a proportion of at least 25% w/w of the sealing layer. The CEV component is at least partially derived from dry CEV. A hydrolysis resistant polymer to improve the water resistance of the sealing layer is also provided in the proportion of less than 20% w/w of the sealing layer. Generally, the level of CEV falls within the range 25-80% w/w of the sealing layer. A method of producing a gasket is also described. The method involves applying a wet sealing layer dough to a support material, and drying the wet sealing layer dough on the support material. The solids content of the wet sealing layer dough prior to the drying step is in the range 30-80% w/w of the dough material.

Abstract: A gasket comprises a sealing layer formed from a resilient material which comprises particles of chemically-exfoliated vermiculite bonded together. The layer also comprises a hydrolysis-resistant polymer coupled to the vermiculite by a coupling agent. A further gasket comprises a sealing strip wound into a spiral. The sealing strip comprises a resilient layer comprising particles of chemically-exfoliated vermiculite. The sealing strip also comprises a flexible carrier strip to which said resilient layer is bonded.

Abstract: A sleeving product and a method for making a sleeving product suitable for use as a barrier for resisting heat transfer between an external heat source and an elongated substrate, comprising: a tubular layer comprising a flexible, resilient foamed insulating material; and an exterior cover layer bonded to one surface of the tubular layer, the cover layer comprising a metalized polymeric film, the metalized polymeric film comprising a flexible polymeric film and a nonporous, thin coating of heat reflective metal applied to at least one surface of the polymeric film.

Abstract: An embossed sheet coated at least partially with expanded graphite and suitable for use as a gasket or as a component layer of a gasket is manufactured by positioning a planar metallic sheet between an upper embossing die and a lower embossing die with a layer of particles of expanded graphite between one of said dies and a surface of the sheet. One of the dies has a protuberance to emboss a ridge into the sheet while the other die has a recess to receive the ridge. The method also comprises pressing the dies together to cause the particles to coalesce and form a coating attached to the sheet while simultaneously embossing said ridge into the sheet.

Abstract: A thermal radiation baffle for apparatus for use in directional solidification of crystalline material, to be mounted at one end of a furnace, and to allow a mould containing the material in molten form to pass through, has at least one clamped layer of interconnected flexible strips of refractory material. Each such layer has an ordered construction, for example, with the strips being interwoven, or knitted; and has one or more slits therein. At least substantially the whole of each slit is inclined at a significant angle to the strips, so that the strips do not become detached or worn in use, but the layer is capable of resiliently engaging the sides of, for example, an irregularly shaped mould. A slit may be provided between two separate, but adjacent, pieces of the layer.

Abstract: A heat shield (10;40) comprises one or more metal members (14,24;44,46) defining a rigid enclosure (12;42) having a substantially continuous heat-reflecting surface (26 or 32; 50 or 52). The shield also comprises a plurality of sheets (30;48) of smooth flexible metal foil within said enclosure. The sheets are arranged one above the other, extend generally parallel to the heat-reflecting surface, and are free to touch one another.

Abstract: A blind rivet (10) comprises a head (12), a shank (14) made at least partially of heat-softenable polymeric material, and force transmitting means (22, 24) operable to apply force to a portion (14a) of the shank (14) to cause it to deform to form a further head (30) opposed to the first-mentioned head (12). The rivet also comprises electrical heating means (26) arranged to be supplied with electrical current through the first-mentioned head (12) and operable to heat the deformable portion (14a) of the shank (14).

Abstract: Certain articles required to function in air at temperatures of 250.degree. C. or higher comprise very fine particles of vermiculite from which the interstitial magnesium ions have been at least partially removed and which has been swollen in water. These articles are not ordinarily exposed to water when in use, but if they are they are likely to disintegrate quickly because of the ready dispersibility of the vermiculite particles. By the invention, water-resistance is given to such articles by treating them with a solution of an aluminate salt e.g. NaAlO.sub.2 or a zirconyl salt e.g. ZrOCl.sub.2.

Abstract: A method of making a shaped article comprises mixing a refractory powder with an aqueous acidic phosphate solution, subjecting the mixture thus formed to high shear to form a plastic mass, shaping the mass, and hardening the shaped mass at a temperature below the sintering temperature of the refractory powder. By this method articles of useful hot-strength can be obtained without having to employ the high temperatures required for sintering.

Abstract: Graphite gaskets with an improved release characteristic are embossed to form a relief pattern of relatively raised areas surrounded by predominantly interconnected depressions, followed by coating with a silicone rubber.

Abstract: Graphite gaskets with an improved release characteristic are pressed (to reduce their void content) and then embossed with a pattern of relatively raised areas surrounded by interconnected depressions.

Abstract: A housing for electrical or electronic equipment is made by moulding under heat a composition comprising an organic thermosetting resin which includes exfoliated graphite in an amount which is enough to impart to the moulded article an electrical resistivity not greater than 10 ohm-cm.The housing has an excellent capacity to reduce the level of electromagnetic radiation emitted by equipment within it and to shield electronic equipment from external electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an expanded graphite gasket comprises the steps of taking co-operating male and female mould members, the female mould member comprising a channel extending through a block from one face to a directly opposite face, the channel as seen in plan having a width and configuration corresponding to a desired gasket shape, presenting a substrate to one face of said block with said channel in register with said locations, filling the channel with a charge of expanded graphite particles, followed by pressing the charge with the male mould member onto the substrate to form a gasket thereon and thereafter removing the mould members.

Abstract: A flat gasket incorporating a metallic reinforcement layer which is enclosed within the gasket in relation to one edge thereof is formed from relatively uncompacted, i.e. loose, expanded graphite particles by a method comprising the step of pressing such particles onto the opposed faces of said reinforcement substantially simultaneously to form compacted graphite foils in situ thereon while at the same time pressing some of said particles relative to said one edge to form a single unreinforced graphite foil portion extending from and integral with the other foils to enclose said one edge.

Abstract: Process for the concentration of fibrous material in a mixture thereof with non-fibrous material, by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the mixture to centrifugal force in a hydrocylone to obtain an overflow enriched in fibre and an underflow of reduced fibre content, the aqueous suspension which is admitted to the hydrocylone being the fibre-enriched fraction which results from a preliminary classification in which an aqueous suspension of lower fibre:non-fibre ratio is submitted to flow under conditions which bring about settling out under ordinary gravitational force of material reduced in fibre content and formation of a fibre-enriched fraction above it.In the process, the underflow flow from the hydrocylone is incorporated in the aqueous suspension which is submitted to the preliminary classification.

Abstract: A board product containing glassy inorganic fibre such as mineral wool, in a matrix of a plastic clay such as ball clay. The amounts of clay and inorganic fibre are in the respective ranges 29 to 80 percent by weight and 15 to 55 percent by weight of the product, and its density is at least 500 kg/m.sup.3.The board can replace asbestos millboard and has the advantage of being asbestos-free. It can be made by the standard paper and board-making techniques, when preferred ingredients are pulp fibres e.g. cellulose pulp, and a complementary binder, particularly hydrolyzable starch, the latter enabling the product to be re-mouldable upon moistening with water.

Abstract: Glass compositions, having improved chemical resistance and useful in the form of fibers for reinforcing cementitious materials, consisting essentially of:From 50 to 75 percent by weight SilicaFrom 10 to 25 percent by weight R.sub.2 Ofrom 1 to 15 percent by weight TitaniaFrom 1 to 20 percent by weight ZirconiaFrom 0.8 to 20 percent by weight Rare Earth OxideFrom 0 to 20 percent by weight Boric OxideFrom 0 to 10 percent by weight R.sup.1 Ofrom 0 to 1 percent by weight Fluorine as (fluoride)From 0 to 2 percent by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3from 0 to 1 percent by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5from 0 to 1 percent by weight Chlorine (as chloride)Where R.sub.2 O is sodium oxide, potassium oxide or a mixture of both, optionally including up to 5% by weight of lithium oxide (based on the total composition) and R.sup.1 O is MgO, CaO, BaO or SrO, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

Abstract: Glass compositions consisting essentially of an E-glass are modified by incorporation therein of zirconia or of zirconia and titania, preferably in a total amount not exceeding 12%, more preferably not exceeding 8%, by weight of the composition, whereby significant improvement in alkali resistance is achieved.

Abstract: Glass compositions, having improved chemical resistance and useful in the form of fibers for reinforcing cementitious materials, consisting essentially of:From 50 to 75 percent by weight SilicaFrom 10 to 25 percent by weight R.sub.2 Ofrom .[.1.]. .Iadd.7 .Iaddend.to 15 percent TitaniaFrom 1 to 20 percent by weight ZirconiaFrom 0.8 to 20 percent by weight Rare Earth OxideFrom 0 to 20 percent by weight Boric OxideFrom 0 to 10 percent by weight R.sup.1 Ofrom 0 to 1 percent by weight Fluorine as (fluoride)From 0 to 2 percent by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3from 0 to 1 percent by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5from 0 to 1 percent by weight Chlorine (as chloride)Where R.sub.2 O is sodium oxide, potassium oxide or a mixture of both, optionally including up to 5% by weight of lithium oxide (based on the total composition) and R.sup.1 O is MgO, CaO, BaO, or SrO, or a mixture of two or more thereof.