Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting hard rock, the cutting tool including one or more cutting elements each including a pointed or chisel-shaped body including a diamond composite material including diamond crystals bonded together by a silicon carbide matrix, the each cutting element being mounted into a supporting matrix including a metal matrix composite material, such that the point or chisel edge of the each element protrudes from the matrix.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting hard rock, said cutting tool including one or more cutting elements (10) each comprising a pointed or chisel-shaped body (12) including a diamond composite material including diamond crystals bonded together by a silicon carbide matrix, the each cutting element being mounted into a supporting matrix comprising a metal matrix composite material, such that the point or chisel edge of the each element protrudes from said matrix.

Abstract: A cell for forming a composite hard material and hard materials and methods of forming composite hard materials. A cell (10) in which the article is formed includes a talc outer sleeve (12), a glass sleeve (14) and a reflecting foil (22). A heater (18) is arranged inwardly of the foil (22) and a barrier layer (16) is arranged inwardly of the glass sleeve (14). A central column (20) is defined for receiving the charge of material (50) from which the hard composite material is to be formed.

Abstract: A thickened, aqueous detergent composition having an aqueous phase containing foaming surfactant, carrageenan and water. Conveniently, the carrageenan is at least half kappa or iota carrageenan, or a mixture of the two.

Abstract: An aqueous concentrated fabric softening composition comprises an aqueous base, more than 10% of a water-soluble cationic softener and at least 3% of an alkoxylated amine having less than 7 alkylene oxide groups per molecule such as ethoxylated tallow amine. The total level of cationic and nonionic components is preferably less than 25%. The alkoxylated amine improves processing by lowering the initial viscosity of the product.

Abstract: An aqueous fabric softening composition containing less than 10% cationic softener also includes an alkoxylated fatty amine having up to 7 alkylene oxide groups per molecule, such as ethoxylated tallow amine at exemplified levels of 4.0 to 12.0%. The alkoxylated compound enhances the softening and anti-static properties of the composition.

Abstract: A fabric softening composition having a viscosity of less than 150 cP, preferably less than 100 cP comprises an aqueous base, a cationic fabric softener and lanolin. The compositions may optionally contain viscosity control agents and nonionic emulsifying agents. Preferred compositions contain 0.5 to 30% cationic softener and 0.25 to 40% lanolin, the ratio of cationic softener to lanolin being from 20:1 to 1:20. The lanolin may be replaced by a lanolin-like material such as derivatives thereof or one or more of the active constituents of lanolin either extracted therefrom or derived from other sources. The presence of lanolin in the composition improves the viscosity and performance thereof.

Abstract: A fabric softening composition comprises an aqueous base, a cationic fabric softener, lanolin and a viscosity control agent selected from electrolytes, polymers such as polyethylene glycol, C.sub.12 -C.sub.40 hydrocarbons and halogen derivatives, C.sub.9 -C.sub.24 fatty acids, fatty acid esters of monohydric alcohols, C.sub.10 -C.sub.18 fatty alcohols or water miscible solvents. Preferred compositions contain 0.5-30% cationic softener, 0.25-40% lanolin (with a cationic softener to lanolin ratio of 20:1 to 1:20) and 0.5-50% viscosity control agent. The lanolin may be replaced by a lanolin-like material such as derivatives thereof or one or more of the active constituents of lanolin either extracted therefrom or derived from other sources. The viscosity of the compositions is generally less than 300 cP, such as 150-250 cP. The presence of lanolin enables concentrated products to be formed, particularly containing more than 10% lanolin.

Abstract: A fabric conditioning composition in solid or liquid form contains a fabric softening agent and a halite material such as sodium chlorite as a bleaching and/or germicidal agent. When in liquid form the composition may contain a stabilizing material to improve physical stability. In use, fabrics are contacted with a liquor containing the composition and the fabric and/or the liquor is irradiated with UV-light from an artificial source or from daylight.

Abstract: A fabric conditioning composition comprises a fabric conditioning agent including a cationic fabric softening material, together with an inorganic material capable of precipitating a metal hydroxide or hydrated oxide at a pH of about 7.5 of less in water. The latter material is preferably aluminum chlorhydrate. A typical composition contains about 4% quaternary ammonium cationic fabric softener and from 0.5% to 1.5% aluminum chlorhydrate. The compositions are useful as rinse products and give improved fabric softness in the presence of anionic carry-over from the wash.

Abstract: A clear and stable concentrated liquid detergent composition which is effective especially for dishwashing in both hard and soft waters containing as active detergent component a mixture of:(a) a magnesium alkylbenzene sulphonate derived from a linear C.sub.10 -C.sub.13 alkylbenzene having an average molecular weight of from 220-250 and containing at least 3.5% by weight of dialkyl tetralin, and(b) an alkali metal, ammonium or amine alkyl polyether sulphate and/or a nonionic surfactant.The liquid detergent composition has a clear point of below 20.degree. C. and is exceptionally low temperature stable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of incorporating zinc oxide into a detergent bar. In order to avoid grittiness in the bar the zinc oxide is slurried in an aqueous or organic liquid before it is added to the detergent material. Preferably the zinc oxide used has a particle size distribution such that not more than about 5% by weight of the oxide is held on a 10 micron sieve and not more than about 3% by weight is held on a 30 micron sieve. The invention is particularly applicable to the production of superfatted bars.