Abstract: A novel and improved ultra tough polymer plastic material wherein a first polymer portion of the material has substantially non-oriented molecules forming a matrix within which there is a second polymer portion of the material having substantially oriented molecules, the first and second portions forming substantially continuous interface regions therebetween in which the first and second portions are highly diffused with each other. In a particular novel process for forming such material, one or more fibers of the material are formed and the molecules thereof are selectively oriented, the fibers are then processed to increase the thermal stability of the selectively oriented molecules so as to maintain the selected orientation thereof and a selected arrangement of the processed fibers are molded at a selected temperature and pressure, the pressure being maintained throughout the heating and cooling step of the molding process to prevent any change in the selective orientation of the molecules.

Abstract: A technique for improving the wear characteristics of a movable surface of a body which is to be relatively moved in contact with the surface of another body, wherein the movable surface has a plurality of void regions therein which extend from the surface into the interior of the body, the dimensions of the void regions and the spacing therebetween being generally such that wear particles generated at the interface regions between the relatively moving surfaces are removed from the interface regions into the void regions where they are entrapped.

Abstract: A novel method and device for precision injection molding is disclosed providing controlled cooling of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle, or several such portions independently, and also, in the preferred embodiment controlled heating of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle or several such portions independently, whereby high quality, high precision parts having close dimensional tolerances may be produced. Another aspect of the invention, a volume-controlled variable conductance heat pipe is disclosed, which novel heat pipe comprises housing means forming a sealed chamber, fluid, such as water or ammonia, within the chamber, wicking means and control means for controlling the thermal conductance of the heat pipe comprising means for controlling the volume of fluid in the liquid phase in the chamber.

Abstract: Microcellular foam materials having void fractions of about 5 to 30 percent and uniform void sizes on the order of 2 to 25 microns are produced by pre-saturating the material to be processed with a uniform concentration of a gas while controlling temperature and pressure to avoid cell nucleation. Processing is also done under pressure to avoid nucleation. After processing, pressure is released and cell nucleation occurs at or near the glass transition temperature of the material; it is then cooled quickly to preserve the microcellular structure.

Abstract: A method for processing a polymer solution by changing the thermodynamic state of the solution to produce a dilute phase and a concentrated phase such that the thermodynamic state is sufficiently changed that the two phases are formed by spinodal decomposition.

Abstract: A method for the nondestructive testing and evaluation of insulating materials is disclosed. The method comprises applying an electrostatic charge pattern to one surface of the material; providing an electrode on a second surface opposite said one surface, said electrode being at an electrical potential lower than said one surface so that the electrostatic charge can decay through said material; allowing the charge pattern to decay for a predetermined period of time; and determining the residual charge pattern on said one surface after said period. The method preferably further comprises heating the material above room temperature which can enhance the results.

Abstract: A method for curing a resinous composition comprising an admixture of a thermosetting resin and dielectrically lossy particles is described wherein the lossy particles have a dielectric constant substantially the same as the dielectric constant of the resin. The method comprises subjecting said admixture to a high frequency alternating electric field for sufficient time to heat the lossy particles and initiate the chemical reaction to cure the resin. Also described are shaped articles of manufacture made by curing resinous compositions in accord with the described method. Such articles have enhanced mechanical properties due to the curing process.

Abstract: A method for determining the moisture content of dielectric materials is described wherein a sample of the material is placed between two electrodes and an electric field is applied. An alternating frequency in the range of radio waves and lower is applied to the electrodes and the dielectric loss properties of the material are determined. The dielectric loss properties are then used to determine moisture content. In an alternate embodiment, a step voltage is applied to the electrodes and the direct current is monitored. The decrease in value of direct current during a time interval following the application of the step voltage is used to determine the moisture content.

Abstract: A novel method and device for precision injection molding is disclosed providing controlled cooling of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle, or several such portions independently, and also, in the preferred embodiment controlled heating of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle or several such portions independently, whereby high quality, high precision parts having close dimensional tolerances may be produced. Another aspect of the invention, a volume-controlled variable conductance heat pipe is disclosed, which novel heat pipe comprises housing means forming a sealed chamber, fluid, such as water or ammonia, within the chamber, wicking means and control means for controlling the thermal conductance of the heat pipe comprising means for controlling the volume of fluid in the liquid phase in the chamber.

Abstract: Uniform sized particles of a ceramic or metal composition are formed by impinging a liquid stream of the composition upon at least one liquid stream of a second ceramic or metal which has a lower melting point than that of the particles. The impingement causes the liquid precursor to the particles to form small eddies which become solidified through heat loss to the other liquid stream. The temperature of the mixture is maintained so that the particles remain solidified while the other liquid stream(s) remain liquid. The solid particles then are separated from the liquid.

Abstract: Fine grain metal, ceramic or metal-ceramic or metal-polymer compositions are formed by impinging at least two liquid streams of metal, ceramic and/or polymer, upon each other to form a turbulent mixture having small eddies. At least a portion of the mixture is frozen quickly before grain and/or cell growth in the mixed components occurs to any substantial extent. The resultant product can be a solid or a slurry.

Abstract: A method of accelerating the cooling of articles made from polymeric particles, such as thermoplastic particles, in which compacted particles are subjected to a heat effect so that selected regions thereof are preferentially heated and the remaining regions thereof remain substantially unheated to produce a heterogeneous temperature distribution within the particles. When the heating effect is removed the preferentially heated regions cool in a rapid fashion by heat transfer therefrom to the unheated regions thereof.

Abstract: A composition formed from (a.) aluminum oxide and/or a solid solution and/or a multiphase composition of aluminum oxide with one or more other metal oxide(s) and (b.) a metallic alloy and having a microstructure comprising a metallic phase, ceramic phase(s) comprising a reactive metal oxide phase and/or solid solutions containing said oxide, an aluminum oxide phase and/or solid solutions of aluminum oxide with one or more other metal oxides. The metallic alloy contains at least one metal characterized by a .DELTA.G of formation (Gibbs free energy) per mole of oxygen of its oxide that is comparable to or greater than the .DELTA.G of formation (Gibbs free energy) per mole of oxygen of aluminum oxide (133 Kcal/mole oxygen). The grain size of the ceramic phase(s) is less than about 10 microns. Cutting tools formed from these compositions have better operating lives than cutting tools containing tungsten carbide or titanium carbide.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating materials, such as solid, particulate material, wherein the particulate material is introduced into a heat transfer medium, the density of such medium being different from that of the particulate material and the temperature of such medium being higher than that of the particulate material when so introduced. The particulate material, the individual particles of which are preferably introduced separately, travels through the medium and becomes heated thereby to a generally flowable state. The flowable particles of the particulate material thereupon leave the fluid and coalesce to form a flowable mass thereof external to the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus having means for producing vortex-like motions of the fluids introduced therein, one embodiment of such an apparatus, for example, using two concentrically mounted inner and outer members, preferably cylindrical, moveable relative to each other at rotational speeds such as to produce the desired vortex-like motions of the fluids introduced into the region therebetween. In one embodiment thereof, the vortex-like motions may be obtained at relatively low rotational speeds by the use of V-shaped grooves on the inner member. In addition, suitable means can further be used to generate a de-stabilizing force for the fluids in a direction substantially perpendicular to the velocity streamlines thereof to further enhance the mixing effectiveness and to improve the quality of the mix, such de-stabilizing force in one embodiment, for example, being generated by the application of an electric field across the region between the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus having means for producing vortex-like motions of the fluids introduced therein, one embodiment of such an apparatus, for example, using two concentrically mounted inner and outer members, preferably cylindrical, moveable relative to each other at rotational speeds such as to produce the desired vortex-like motions of the fluids introduced into the region therebetween. In one embodiment thereof, the vortex-like motions may be obtained at relatively low rotational speeds by the use of V-shaped grooves on the inner member. In addition, suitable means can further be used to generate a de-stabilizing force for the fluids in a direction substantially perpendicular to the velocity streamlines thereof to further enhance the mixing effectiveness and to improve the quality of the mix, such de-stabilizing force in one embodiment, for example, being generated by the application of an electric field across the region between the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A system for mixing a shot of at least two fluid components in which the components are stored in accumulators and are supplied simultaneously therefrom to the input ports of a mixing device. The fluid components are stored in the accumulators at preselected pressures which will tend to assure that the fluids are supplied approximately at a desired preselected volume flow rate ratio. Positive displacement devices are placed in the lines which supply the fluids from the accumulators to the mixing device, such devices being mechanically linked through gear linkage having a gear ratio selected in accordance with the preselected volume flow rate ratio. During operation, the positive displacement devices assure that the preselected volume flow rate ratio of the fluids is maintained at the desired ratio throughout the entire shot.

Abstract: A method for forming electrically conductive paths on a substrate wherein at least a selected surface (or surfaces) of the substrate on which the paths are to be formed is made of a composition which comprises a first material, preferably a polymer material having a metal compound, preferably a metal oxide, incorporated as a filler therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber reinforced plastic composites, and more particularly, composites having substantially improved fracture toughness at high speed loading. In accordance with this invention, the fracture toughness of a composite is substantially improved by the use of an internal energy damping mechanism which is dependent upon the rate of loading. This energy damping mechanism comprises fibers dispersed through the composite pre-coated with a viscous fluid. Upon impact, substantial energy is dissipated at the fiber-matrix interface due to shear deformation of the coated viscous layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a mixture of solid particles of two different types wherein the particles of one type are electrically charged with a charge of one polarity, e.g., a positive polarity, and the particles of the other type are electrically charged with a charge of the opposite polarity,e.g., a negative polarity. The charged particles are combined over a selected time period during which they retain their mobility so that at the end of such time period they form a mixture the characteristic of which is better than a random mixture, i.e., the ratio of the number of particles of one type to the number of particles of the other type in each of a plurality of samples thereof tends to be the same as the ratio of the number of particles of said one type to the number of particles of the other type in the overall mixture.