Abstract: A process for producing nonwoven webs having improved strength properties at high throughputs is provided. In the process, a non-uniform blend of a polyolefin and a prodegradant is formed. The non-uniform blend is then rapidly heated to cause the substantially immediate thermal degradation of the prodegradant, thus providing a non-uniformly degraded polyolefin having a fraction substantially reduced in molecular weight and a fraction substantially unaffected in molecular weight as compared to the starting polyolefin.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrode support gear utilized with electric arc furnaces incorporating consumable electrodes. The support gear incorporates two sets of clamps for the electrode, one of which is spring biased to hold the electrode against movement under gravity, and the other which is power operated and can be used to slip the electrode to and fro in relation to the first set of clamps. The arrangement achieves a saving in capital costs in that only one set of clamps is power operated and safety is achieved in that the spring biased clamps constantly grip the electrode. An additional safety feature may be provided by springs on the power operative clamps which operate to clamp the electrode in the event of a power failure.