Abstract: A polymer matrix type heater filled with a conductive particulate moiety is disclosed wherein the preferable polymer is a polyurethane shape-memory polymer and the preferable filler is spherical thermal carbon black particles. Optional insulating fillers may be added to adjust the thermal and electrical properties of the heater. The resulting self-regulating heater has fast heat-up, sharp turnoff, and negligible temperature fluctuation.

Abstract: A composition and method for producing boron carbide/titanium diboride composite ceramic powders is disclosed. The process comprises the ordered steps of (a) intimately mixing as reactants boron carbide and a titanium source, such that the average reactant particle size is less than about 20 microns and substantially all discrete reactant areas are less than about 50 microns, and (b) reacting the product of step (a) under conditions sufficient to produce a boron carbide/titanium diboride composite ceramic powder wherein at least a portion of the boron carbide particles form substrates to which at least a portion of the titanium diboride particles are attached. The method can be used to produce a composite ceramic powder having boron carbide and titanium diboride particles less than about 20 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A process for preparing olefins and diolefins in high productivity which involves contacting an aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as butane, with a heterogeneous catalyst composition containing reactive oxygen under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a more highly unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as 1,3-butadiene. The catalyst composition contains a glassy silica matrix of specified surface area and macro-porosity into which are encapsulated domains of a catalyst component containing oxides of magnesium and molybdenum. The catalyst has high crush strength and is useful in transport reactors.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins and diolefins, such as 1,3-butadiene, comprising contacting an aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as butane, with a heterogeneous catalyst composition containing reactive oxygen under reaction conditions such that a more highly unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon is selectively formed in a high productivity. The catalyst is a composition comprising (a) a support component of magnesia and alumina and/or magnesium aluminate spinel, and (b) a catalyst component of magnesia, an oxide of molybdenum, a Group IA metal oxide promoter, and optionally vanadium oxide. Catalysts of high surface area and high attrition resistance are claimed.

Abstract: Metal boride powders can be produced with a predetermined particle size by controlling reaction conditions. The metal boride powder is produced by reacting a solid boron source, a metal source and a reductant under conditions sufficient to produce a metal boride powder with a particle size correlating to that of the solid boron source. The reaction is preferably stopped after the formation of products but before any apprecible crystal growth occurs.

Abstract: A mixture of reactants having a particle size of about 200 microns is heated to convert said mixture comprising a metal compound, carbon, and a boron source to a metal boride having an average particle size of about 0.05 to about 0.5 micron. Said metal compound is one which can be converted to the corresponding metal boride by reaction with carbon and a boron source under controlled conditions of time and temperature.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins and diolefins, such as 1,3-butadiene, comprising contacting an aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as butane, with a heterogeneous catalyst composition containing reactive oxygen under reaction conditions such that a more highly unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon is selectively formed in a high productivity. The catalyst is a composition comprising (a) a support component of magnesia and alumina and/or magnesium aluminate spinel, and (b) a catalyst component of magnesia, an oxide of molybdenum, a Group IA metal oxide promoter, and optionally vanadium oxide. Catalysts of high surface area and high attrition resistance are claimed.

Abstract: A composition and method for producing boron carbide/titanium diboride composite ceramic powders is disclosed. The process comprises the ordered steps of (a) intimately mixing as reactants boron carbide and a titanium source, such that the average reactant particle size is less than about 20 microns and substantially all discrete reactant areas are less than about 50 microns, and (b) reacting the product of step (a) under conditions sufficient to produce a boron carbide/titanium diboride composite ceramic powder wherein at least a portion of the boron carbide particles form substrates to which at least a portion of the titanium diboride particles are attached. The method can be used to produce a composite ceramic powder having boron carbide and titanium diboride particles less than about 20 microns in diameter.

Abstract: Metal boride powders can be produced with a predetermined particle size by controlling reaction conditions. The metal boride powder is produced by reacting a solid boron source, a metal source and a reductant under conditions sufficient to produce a metal boride powder with a particle size correlating to that of the solid boron source. The reaction is preferably stopped after the formation of products but before any appreciable crystal growth occurs.