Abstract: An improvement in the preparation of fiber preforms in which binder and fibers are dispersed to contact on vacuum-supplied screens is disclosed, comprising particularly (a) selecting a particulate binder material which is solid at 25.degree. C; (b) heating the binder material, during initial contact with the fibers, to a viscosity and for a time which is the same as or proportional to 1,000 centipoise for one second; and (c) dispersing the binder material and the fibers such that the preform exhibits a variation in the ratio of fibers and binder which correlates to a coefficient of variation which is less than or equal to about 5 percent. The resulting preform shows superior compaction and uniformity of constitution even when it is prepared in sections or in asymmetric configurations.

Abstract: Improved plastic flame spray coating apparatus and methodology are disclosed. An inert gas is configured to shroud or envelop the pneumatically-conveyed stream of powdered plastic which is carried through the combustion flame. The polyolefin coating has increased adhesion and coating smoothness and thicker coatings without thermally-induced embrittlement, discoloration and poor mechanical properties are obtained.

Abstract: Flame sprayable coating compositions are prepared from (A) a melt blended, pre-reacted component comprising (1) from about 75 to about 98 percent by weight of at least one solid epoxy resin having a degree of polymerization of from about 0 to about 7; and (2) from about 5 to about 15 percent by weight of at least one olefinic polymer containing from about 0.1 to about 55 percent by weight of a group reactive with vicinal epoxy groups; (B) a melt blended, pre-reacted component comprising (3) from about 10 to about 60 percent by weight of at least one solid epoxy resin having a degree of polymerization of from about 1 to about 6; and (4) from about 40 to about 90 percent by weight of at least one olefinic polymer containing from about 0.