Abstract: A process for producing hydrophilic growing media, preferably soil plugs, having improved properties and minimal plant toxicity. The method involves forming a resilient, integral, dimensionally stable, cohesive, homogenous mass by contacting an aggregate with a hydrophilic urethane prepolymer, glycol, plasticizer and water. The glycol acts as a coalescing agent between the prepolymer, plasticizer and water and enables flexible open cell soil plugs to be produced over a wide range of mixes. Upon curing, the prepolymer binds the aggregate material together. The mixing of the aggregate, prepolymer, glycol and water is conducted under conditions which entrain air in the media and do not adversely affect the growth of seedlings or plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction management brake shoe adapted to engage the tread and the flange of a railroad car wheel via which the railroad car is guidably supported on a railed track. The friction management brake shoe comprises a backing plate having a flange member. There is a brake lining affixed to the backing plate and having a braking surface engageable with the wheel tread of a railroad car wheel. The brake lining includes a first friction composition material formed with at least one of a solid high positive friction modifier and a solid very high positive friction modifier which establishes a required friction level between the wheel tread and the railed track for stopping a train. The brake shoe also has a flange part affixed to the flange member of the backing plate, such flange part having a friction surface engageable with the wheel flange of a railroad car wheel.

Abstract: Friction modifiers are composition which modify the coefficient of friction between surfaces to which the friction modifier is applied. They are similar in nature to lubricants but have different characteristics in certain respects. The invention relates particularly to solid friction modifiers which may be rigid or flexible. These friction modifiers comprise 20-80% by weight of a polymer medium, 5-20% by weight of a solid lubricant and 15-60% by weight of a friction enhancer. The composition produces a coefficient of friction which rises to above 0.20 at creepage level up to 2.5% between steel bodies in rolling-sliding contact lubricated using the composition.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel lubricant composition which possess high and positive friction characteristics. A high, positive friction lubricant composition comprising: (a) at least 20% by weight of a polymer media; (b) at least 5% by weight of a solid lubricant; and (c) at least 5% by weight of a powderized solid mineral friction modifier.