Abstract: A plant growing medium has a fabricated fibrous product having a density below 4.5 pcf, and preferably below 3.0 pcf, as a root supporting structure. The product comprises a pack of fibers, the fibers having a three-dimensional orientation and at least some of the fibers being glass fibers, and binder binding the fibers to each other at substantially every place of fiber-to-fiber contact.

Abstract: Rigid shaped articles of expanded inorganic aggregate, such as expanded perlite, bonded with calcium silicate hydrate and preferably reinforced with fibers, are made by mixing a hydrothermally reacted gel of calcium silicate hydrate crystals with the expanded aggregate, shaping and drying, without treatment with saturated steam after the gel and aggregate have been mixed.

Abstract: Ceramic products are produced containing a network of glass filaments having a hydrophilic surface. This network of filaments aids the transfer of water from the center of wet ceramic bodies to the surface thereof to speed up dewatering of slip cast materials while in the mold to thereby permit increased production from the molds. In addition, the fibers speed up oven drying of the green ware to give a further increase in production.

Abstract: A method of postponing the set of inorganic binders which set by hydration and wherein the cements are mixed with water and frozen before the green set takes place. Preferably the freezing is done before two thirds of the normal time to set under the temperature and other conditions which occur at the time that the materials are fully mixed.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a membrane paving construction comprising an asphalt-impregnated body, pelt or mat of fibers, preferably glass fibers, and a method of making same wherein the membrane construction is prefabricated or partially fabricated for use in asphalt paving construction such as paving for highways, bridge decks, driveways, runways, parking lots and the like, as a paving wear surface or for repairing a wear surface or as a membrane construction upon which is superposed a wear surface of asphalt aggregate or the like, the membrane construction being in the form of a rolled-up body or in the form of a thin high density planar board or sheet which may be conveyed in such forms to an installation site and disposed on a substrate in a minimum of time in initial installation of paving or in the repair of asphalt paving.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of spraying a binder composition of hybrid character containing both organic and inorganic materials into a fiber-forming hood or chamber onto glass fibers produced by a fiber-forming process, the disclosure embracing fibrous insulation products, such as pipe insulation and block insulation, the products embodying hybrid binder composition wherein the organic phase of the binder composition improves moldability and handleability of the fibrous product during processing and installation and which provides hardness and toughness characteristics in the products to resist or prevent handling damage and physical damage in use, the inorganic phase of the binder system providing high bond strength and improved thermal stability in the product particularly under high temperatures which may volatilize the organic binder, the inorganic phase of the binder system preventing or resisting fiber slump under high temperature conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of spraying a binder composition of hybrid character containing both organic and inorganic materials into a fiber-forming hood or chamber onto glass fibers produced by a fiber-forming process, the disclosure embracing fibrous insulation products, such as pipe insulation and block insulation, the products embodying hybrid binder composition wherein the organic phase of the binder composition improves moldability and handleability of the fibrous product during processing and installation and which provides hardness and toughness characteristics in the products to resist or prevent handling damage and physical damage in use, the inorganic phase of the binder system providing high bond strength and improved thermal stability in the product particularly under high temperatures which may volatilize the organic binder, the inorganic phase of the binder system preventing or resisting fiber slump under high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A mold for slip-casting and the like comprising: a gypsum or other water pervious body having a three-dimensional network of chopped glass fiber filaments having a water wettable surface thereon and in an amount of more than 924 lincal inches of filament per cubic inch of the water pervious body. The preferred mold is a gypsum mold having from 4,621 lineal inches of filament to 46,210 lineal inches of filament per cubic inch of gypsum.

Abstract: A board comprising: two sheets of paper spaced apart and bonded to a core of inorganic cementitious material, said core having a network of glass monofilaments jack-strawed into a three-dimensional water transmitting network extending between its surfaces, and at least one of said layers of paper having a network of glass monofilaments jack-strawed into a water transmitting network that extends between its major surfaces with said network in said paper being in water transmitting contact with said network of said core. Preferably the core is gypsum having a density of about 40-65 pounds per cubic foot.

Abstract: Inorganic mortars, cements, and concrete are subject to crazing, cracking and spalling when subjected to alternate freezing and thawing. The present invention significantly decreases this affect by providing a network of tiny glass filaments having a hydrophilic surface throughout the mortars and cements. Preferably there should be more than approximately 675 lineal inches of network forming filament per cubic inch of mortar.

Abstract: A bonded mat which can be stretched over projections without excessive thinning out and which permits fiber loadings of greater than 25 percent by volume. The mat includes directionally oriented strands held together by swirled strands or randomly oriented fibers, and all of which are permanently held together by a binder.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a fibrous product comprising amorphous glass fibers and crystallizable mineral fibers wherein the mineral fibers may be formed of fusible rock, slag, basalt rock or fibers formed of blends or mixtures of these materials or crystallizable ceramic fibers and to a method and apparatus for forming or processing blends, composites or laminations of such fibers to produce several composite fibrous end products having various uses such as fire rated acoustical tile and ceiling board, high temperature block and pipe insulations, roofing insulation, form board, fire rated cores for walls and doors, fire rated hardboard and building, pouring and blowing wool insulation.

Abstract: A thermal insulation material of approximately 50 percent or more xonotlite binder is caused to thicken without asbestos, diatomaceous earth, or clay by the use of wood pulp dispersed around a three dimensional monofilament network of glass fibers in a slurry having a water to solids ratio of no more than approximately four. The wood pulp and other constituents of the slurry must be essentially devoid of soluble aluminum ions.

Abstract: A method of making molding compounds and particularly sheet molding compounds in which a novolak is dispersed throughout an inorganic filler and a slight reaction is caused to take insitu with a hydrogen donor that is preferably hexamethylenetetramine to produce a molding compound. In the case of a sheet molding compound, the material is spread out into a thin sheet and inorganic fibers are embedded therein, following which a body-building reaction is initiated to liberate some ammonia. Thereafter, the material is dried and solidified into a solid handleable sheet molding compound.There is also disclosed a method for forming the novolak resin insitu by reaction of the monomers while dispersed throughout the inorganic fillers.

Abstract: A greater percentage of hole area is provided in opposite leg portions of the semi-cylindrical perforated backing plate of either the core or the pressing head of a mold box assembly, used in the pressing of a slurry into semi-cylindrical bodies of lightweight thermal insulation for pipe, than in the crown portion connecting the leg portions. More uniform density is thereby provided in the pieces of insulation, and breakage during handling before curing is greatly reduced.