Abstract: A bonded, non-asbestos chlor-alkali diaphragm comprising one or more water-wettable materials and one or more chemically-resistant materials, which is characterized by having a Macmullin number and average diaphragm thickness such that the product of these is between about 5 and about 30 millimeters when the average diaphragm thickness is measured in millimeters, and by a median pore size between about 0.1 microns and about 1 micron, wherein one or more of the chemically-resistant materials is or are coated with a durable, adherent coating of an ion-containing polymer which is bonded into the diaphragm on such materials.

Abstract: A new class of composites results from a matrix of fibers, such as fibers of carbon, alumina, ceramics, and aluminosilicates, interwined in a network of fused metal fibers. The composites can be fabricated to have varying surface area, void volume, and pore size while maintaining high electrical conductivity. Composites are readily prepared from a preform of a dispersion of the metal fibers, other fibers, and an organic binder such as cellulose, by heating the preform at a temperature sufficient to fuse the metal fibers and to volatilize at least 90% of the binder. Where a carbon fiber is used, the metal fibers are fused at a temperature causing a loss of less than about 25%, and usually under 15%, by weight of carbon fiber.

Abstract: A new class of composites results from a matrix of carbon fibers, including graphite fibers, interwoven in a network of fused metal fibers. The composites can be fabricated to have varying surface area, void volume, and pore size while maintaining high electrical conductivity. Composites are readily prepared from a preform of a dispersion of carbon fibers, metal fibers, and an organic binder such as cellulose, by heating the preform at a temperature sufficient to fuse the metal fibers and to volatilize at least 90% of the binder with a loss of less than about 25%, and usually under 10%, by weight of carbon fiber.