Abstract: Fiber-reinforced coated mats and fiber-reinforced coated mat-faced panels are provided herein, along with methods for making the same. Fiber-reinforced coated mats include a mat with a fiber-reinforced coating on one surface. Fiber-reinforced coated mat-faced panels include a fiber-coated mat and a panel material in contact with a surface of the mat opposite the fiber-reinforced coating. Methods include applying a fiber-reinforced coating to a surface of a mat to form a coated mat and drying the coated mat to cure the fiber-reinforced coating. Some methods also include combining the mat with a panel material to form a mat-faced panel.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided, including anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers having a mean aspect ratio of at least 30. Another composition of matter is provided, including alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers. Yet another composition of matter is provided, including fine alpha particle-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing composites are provided, including combining dihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers, hemihydrate calcium sulfate stucco, and water to form a slurry, and setting the slurry to form a composite having a natural porosity of about 60 volume percent or greater. Composites are also provided, including dihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers and dihydrate calcium sulfate crystals, and having a natural porosity of about 60 volume percent or greater.

Abstract: Methods of making calcium sulfate whiskers are provided. In one aspect, a method includes autoclaving a slurry of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water to form calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers in water and microwaving the whiskers to dewater them, wherein the microwaving is effective to prevent a majority of the whiskers from reverting to a dihydrate form. In one aspect, a method includes microwaving calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers to form anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers, wherein the microwaving is effective to remove a substantial amount of chemically bound water from the whiskers.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing composites are provided, including combining dihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers, hemihydrate calcium sulfate stucco, and water to form a slurry, and setting the slurry to form a composite having a natural porosity of about 60 volume percent or greater. Composites are also provided, including dihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers and dihydrate calcium sulfate crystals, and having a natural porosity of about 60 volume percent or greater.

Abstract: An appliance that includes a cabinet having an exterior surface; a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet; and a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface. The hydrophilic structure is configured to spread condensation. The appliance further includes a wicking structure located in proximity to the hydrophilic structure, and the wicking structure is configured to receive the condensation.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced coated mats and fiber-reinforced coated mat-faced panels are provided herein, along with methods for making the same. Fiber-reinforced coated mats include a mat with a fiber-reinforced coating on one surface. Fiber-reinforced coated mat-faced panels include a fiber-coated mat and a panel material in contact with a surface of the mat opposite the fiber-reinforced coating. Methods include applying a fiber-reinforced coating to a surface of a mat to form a coated mat and drying the coated mat to cure the fiber-reinforced coating. Some methods also include combining the mat with a panel material to form a mat-faced panel.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided, including anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers having a mean aspect ratio of at least 30. Another composition of matter is provided, including alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers. Yet another composition of matter is provided, including fine alpha particle-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers.

Abstract: Methods for making composite products and methods for their use and manufacture are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers and a plastic can be combined to produce a composite product.

Abstract: Anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers are prepared by combining alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water to form a slurry, autoclaving the slurry to form alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers in water, dewatering the alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers, and heating the alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers to form anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers. A composite includes alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers and a base material and is prepared by combining alpha-derived anhydrite calcium sulfate whiskers with a base material to form a composite.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance that includes a freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment having two doors, and a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position. The exterior surface of the mullion directs condensation toward a transfer point. The exterior surface may be configured with a hydrophilic surface to direct and control the condensation. The condensation may also be directed into a receptacle or a wicking structure arranged to facilitate evaporation of the unwanted condensate.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance that includes a freezer compartment having a freezer compartment door, and a refrigeration compartment having at least one refrigeration compartment door. The appliance further includes a mullion with an exterior surface. The mullion divides the compartments and the exterior surface directs condensation toward a transfer point. The appliance may also include a cabinet that houses the compartments and has two sides, each with an exterior surface. Further, at least one exterior surface directs condensation toward a transfer point.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance that includes a freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment having two doors, and a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position. The exterior surface of the mullion directs condensation toward a transfer point. The exterior surface may be configured with a hydrophilic surface to direct and control the condensation. The condensation may also be directed into a receptacle or a wicking structure arranged to facilitate evaporation of the unwanted condensate.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance that includes a freezer compartment having a freezer compartment door, and a refrigeration compartment having at least one refrigeration compartment door. The appliance further includes a mullion with an exterior surface. The mullion divides the compartments and the exterior surface directs condensation toward a transfer point. The appliance may also include a cabinet that houses the compartments and has two sides, each with an exterior surface. Further, at least one exterior surface directs condensation toward a transfer point.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool comprises a blend of abrasive grains and a bond component. The blend of abrasive grains comprises a filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain and agglomerated abrasive grain granules. A bonded abrasive tool comprising an agglomerate of filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive and non-filamentary abrasive grains, and a bond component is also disclosed. The filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain has a length-to-cross-sectional-width aspect ratio of greater than 1.0. The agglomerated abrasive grain granules comprise a plurality of abrasive grains held in a three-dimensional shape by a binding material. A method of making such a bonded abrasive tool as described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool comprises a blend of abrasive grains and a bond component. The blend of abrasive grains comprises a filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain and agglomerated abrasive grain granules. A bonded abrasive tool comprising an agglomerate of filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive and non-filamentary abrasive grains, and a bond component is also disclosed. The filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain has a length-to-cross-sectional-width aspect ratio of greater than 1.0. The agglomerated abrasive grain granules comprise a plurality of abrasive grains held in a three-dimensional shape by a binding material. A method of making such a bonded abrasive tool as described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool comprises a blend of abrasive grains and a bond component. The blend of abrasive grains comprises a filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain and agglomerated abrasive grain granules. A bonded abrasive tool comprising an agglomerate of filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive and non-filamentary abrasive grains, and a bond component is also disclosed. The filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain has a length-to-cross-sectional-width aspect ratio of greater than 1.0. The agglomerated abrasive grain granules comprise a plurality of abrasive grains held in a three-dimensional shape by a binding material. A method of making such a bonded abrasive tool as described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool, having a structure permeable to fluid flow, comprises sintered agglomerates of a plurality of abrasive grains and a binding material, the binding material being characterized by a melting temperature between 500 and 1400° C., and the sintered agglomerates having a loose packing density of ?1.6 g/cc and three-dimensional shape; a bond material; and about 35-80 volume % total porosity, including at least 30 volume % interconnected porosity. Methods for making the sintered agglomerates and abrasive tools containing the sintered agglomerates are described.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool, having a structure permeable to fluid flow, comprises sintered agglomerates of a plurality of abrasive grains and a binding material, the binding material being characterized by a melting temperature between 500 and 1400° C., and the sintered agglomerates having a loose packing density of ?1.6 g/cc and three-dimensional shape; a bond material; and about 35-80 volume % total porosity, including at least 30 volume % interconnected porosity. Methods for making the sintered agglomerates and abrasive tools containing the sintered agglomerates are described.

Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool comprises a blend of abrasive grains and a bond component. The blend of abrasive grains comprises a filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain and agglomerated abrasive grain granules. A bonded abrasive tool comprising an agglomerate of filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive and non-filamentary abrasive grains, and a bond component is also disclosed. The filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain has a length-to-cross-sectional-width aspect ratio of greater than 1.0. The agglomerated abrasive grain granules comprise a plurality of abrasive grains held in a three-dimensional shape by a binding material. A method of making such a bonded abrasive tool as described above is also disclosed.