Abstract: Adhesive-backed graphite foil rings (62,64) are suited to forming a seal between a metal gasket plate (12) and adjacent pipe flanges (40, 42). To form the rings, a thin layer of adhesive (74) is applied in the form of a coating to a flexible graphite sheet (70). A release liner (80) may be applied over the adhesive layer. The rings (62,64) are cut from the adhesive coated flexible graphite sheet. In one method, the rings are die cut while leaving the release liner intact. After removal of extraneous material, a plurality of the rings remain attached to the release liner and can be peeled away from the liner as needed. In another method, a central cut-out portion (102) from a large adhesive-backed ring is later used to form a smaller adhesive-backed ring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fire retardant wooden structural element, such as the web of a wooden joist, a wall panel, exterior or interior siding panel or the like, which is formed of oriented strand board (OSB) having outer layers which contain particles of expandable graphite and a core layer which is free of expandable graphite.

Abstract: Solid particulate polyvalent metal carboxylic acid salt compositions particularly useful as polyvinyl chloride resin stabilizers are provided comprising at least one solid polyvalent metal carboxylic acid salt in dusting particulate form and a liquid epoxy fatty acid ester having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. within the range from about 100 to about 2000 cps, in an amount within the range from about 3% to about 20% by weight of the total composition, sufficient to render the particulate salt composition substantially nondusting, while maintaining the salt composition free-flowing, non-caking and non-tacky.