Abstract: Method of making a carbon-carbon composite article such as an aircraft brake disc. The method includes: selecting carbon fiber precursors, having limited shrinkage in the axial direction when carbonized, in the form of individualized chopped or cut fibers; placing the selected chopped or cut carbon fiber precursors into a preform mold configured in the form of a brake disc to form a fibrous matrix; and then needling the molded fibrous matrix to provide it with three-dimensional structural integrity and to reduce layering. The carbon fiber precursor matrix may subsequently be infused with liquid carbon matrix precursor, the impregnated matrix may be carbonized; e.g., at 600-1800° C. for 1-10 hours to provide a preform having a density of at least about 1.1 g/cc, and the carbonized preform may be further densified to a density of at least about 1.6 g/cc by known liquid resin infiltration techniques and/or by conventional CVI/CVD processing.

Abstract: A mold fixture 20 for safe and efficient extraction, insertion and storage of mold inserts 26, 28 is provided. The mold fixture 20 includes a lower receiving area 24 for fixedly receiving a lower mold insert 28, an upper receiving area 22 for fixedly receiving an upper mold insert 26. The mold fixture 20 facilitates insertion or extraction of the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 into/from a molding machine 1 in a safe and secure manner. Furthermore, the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 can be securely stored within the mold fixture 20 at a storage location.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a carbonized carbon-carbon composite preform, by: mixing (a) chopped carbon fiber, chopped stabilized pitch fiber, or chopped oxidized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber, (b) thermoplastic pitch binder powder, and (c) activated carbon powder to form a mixture of 15-60 parts by weight of chopped carbon fiber or chopped stabilized pitch fiber or chopped oxidized PAN, 28-83 parts by weight of thermoplastic pitch binder powder, and 1-12 parts by weight of activated carbon powder; depositing this mixture into a mold; pressing/heating the materials in the mold to form a preform by compaction; removing the compacted preform from the mold; and carbonizing the compacted preform. The preform is preferably configured in the form of an aircraft landing system brake disc.

Abstract: A restraint fixture (12) is disclosed that includes a preform retention region configured to limit contracting forces applied against a preform (10) in the preform retention region when the restraint fixture (12) thermally contracts. In one embodiment, the restraint fixture (12) comprises a band (12) having a first surface defining the preform retention region and a first expansion portion (26, 28, 29) adapted to deform upon application of a force to the band (12).

Abstract: A preform for a carbon-carbon composite part (55) comprising multiple layers of fibrous mats (51, 52, 53) wherein each of the fibrous mats (51, 52, 53) comprises a random carbon-containing fibrous matrix (11) within which is distributed a polymeric binder and wherein adjacent mat layers (51, 52, 53) are bound together by additional polymer binder, stitching and interlocking tabs. The preform of the present invention may be an aircraft landing system brake disc. Also, a method of manufacturing a thick multi-layer composite preform.

Abstract: Annular brake disc preform (15), wherein 40 to 80 layers of reinforcement fibers of at least two different lengths (11, 19) ranging from 10-60 mm are distributed in a planar gradient throughout the body of the preform, with the reinforcement fibers located near the exterior planes of the disc being predominately shorter fibers (11) and with the reinforcement fibers located in the central planes of the disc being predominately longer fibers (19).

Abstract: Molding apparatus for rapid transfer of molten resin or pitch in an infiltration molding process. The apparatus includes e.g. an extruder (4) for melting and conveying a resin or pitch and a mold (10) arranged so that resin or pitch is conveyed to a mold insert cavity (19) within the mold. The mold insert contains an internal protrusion such as a locating ring (25) for positioning a porous body (1, 18) within the mold insert cavity in a position that brings about unidirectional flow of the molten resin or pitch through the porous body. Also, rapid resin or pitch infiltration molding process that includes injecting a high melting point, high viscosity, molten resin or pitch into the mold to effect a unidirectional impregnation of a heated preform via a pressure gradient in the mold.

Abstract: Methods of making a carbon-carbon composite preforms, particularly suitable as brake discs in aircraft landing systems, by combining titanium carbide particles ranging in size from 0.01 to 10 microns in diameter, resinous binder, and carbon fibers or carbon fiber precursors in a mold, and subsequently subjecting the combined components to pressure and heat to carbonize the resinous binder by methods, thereby providing the carbon-carbon composite preform having particulate titanium carbide uniformly distributed throughout its mass. Prior to combining the titanium carbide and the binder with the fibers in this process, the particulate titanium carbide may be mixed with liquid binder, the resulting TiC/binder mixture may then solidified, and the resulting solid TiC/binder mixture may be ground into a fine powder for use in the process. Also, compositions for preparing a carbon-carbon composite friction materials, and methods of improving wear and dynamic stability in a carbon-carbon composite brake discs.

Abstract: A novel article and method are disclosed for reducing malodor in disposable products for the absorption of body fluids. An effective amount of pentitol is applied to a disposable absorbent material, prior to its use. In one aspect, the invention provides a water-swellable, water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material. In one aspect, the pentitol is compositionally part of the absorbent structure or is coated on the absorbent material present in the absorbent structure. The pentitol preferably is located in the area of insult, i.e., that area of the absorbent product to be exposed to the body fluid intended to be absorbed. The pentitol in the novel article and method of the present invention is a compound selected from the group consisting of ribitol, D-arabinitol, L-arabinitol, and xylitol or a combination of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ribitol, D-arabinitol, L-arabinitol, and xylitol effective in preventing malodor.

Abstract: A novel article and method are disclosed for reducing malodor in disposable products for the absorption of body fluids. An effective amount of pentitol is applied to a disposable absorbent material, prior to its use. In one aspect, the invention provides a water-swellable, water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material. In one aspect, the pentitol is compositionally part of the absorbent structure or is coated on the absorbent material present in the absorbent structure. The pentitol preferably is located in the area of insult, i.e., that area of the absorbent product to be exposed to the body fluid intended to be absorbed. The pentitol in the novel article and method of the present invention is a compound selected from the group consisting of ribitol, D-arabinitol, L-arabinitol, and xylitol or a combination of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ribitol, D-arabinitol, L-arabinitol, and xylitol effective in preventing malodor.

Abstract: A novel article and method are disclosed for reducing malodor in disposable products for the absorption of body fluids. An effective amount of pentitol is applied to a disposable absorbent material, prior to its use. In one aspect, the invention provides a water-swellable, water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material. In one aspect, the pentitol is compositionally part of the absorbent structure or is coated on the absorbent material present in the absorbent structure. The pentitol preferably is located in the area of insult, i.e., that area of the absorbent product to be exposed to the body fluid intended to be absorbed. The pentitol in the novel article and method of the present invention is effective in preventing malodor.

Abstract: A spraying device comprising a reservoir and a nozzle linked by a path is used to apply an aqueous cleaning composition to a surface. The interim dimension of the path is located immediately upstream of the nozzle. The composition comprises abrasive particles, wherein substantially none of the particles has a maximum dimension which is more than half of the minimum dimension of the path and none of said particles have a dimension greater than said minimum dimension.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaner comprises: an ethoxylated quaternary ammonium compound comprising a C10-25 ; alkyl or alkenyl radical and a polyalkoxy chain having from 2 to 20 ethoxy groups and from 0 to 2 propoxy groups; a glycol ether and/or a C1-22 alcohol; and an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A chemical cleaning composition for silver- or copper-containing surfaces consists of a water-soluble solid or powder comprising thiourea or a derivative thereof, and is formulated in unit application form, e.g. in tablet or sachet form. A preferred composition comprises up to 60% thiourea or a derivative thereof; up to 4% surfactant; not more than 40% acidifier; less than 20% disintegrant; up to 10% binder; 0-1% lubricant; and up to 40% diluent.

Abstract: A golf game utilizes an elongated, flexible mat having grass-like tufts extending outwardly from one lateral surface thereof. One end of the mat is provided with a plurality of openings therein simulating holes of a golf course. A number of card-holding containers are provided, each of which holds a number of playing-like cards containing typical golf situations and rules concerning them. The cards are used in conjunction with a scoring scheme testing the player's knowledge of golf rules and scoring the player thereon as well as scoring on the ability of a player to putt a golf ball into selected holes in the mat.