Abstract: Compostible compositions in the form of homogeneous mixtures containing 20-80% by weight unvulcanized, uncured C4-C6 alkadiene elastomer, e.g., natural rubber, 5-20% of modifier, e.g., casein, dextrose, starch or mixtures thereof, 1-40% filler, e.g., titanium dioxide or fibrous clay, 0-30% wax, e.g., carnauba wax, 0-40% styrene resin, e.g., polystyrene, 0-10% additive, e.g., bis-steramide, and 0-20% yeast are disclosed. Preferably such compositions are prepared as aqueous dispersions that can be converted by conventional casting procedures into thin sheets, e.g., about 1 to 10 mils, having useful tensile strength, elongation, flexibility and moisture barrier properties.

Abstract: Disposable articles that mitigate environmental problems when charged into solid waste landfills have a moisture barrier layer in the form of a compostible flexible sheet composed of 20-80% by weight unvulcanized, uncured C4-C6 alkadiene elastomer, e.g., natural rubber, 5-20% of modifier, e.g., casein, dextrose, starch or mixtures thereof, 1-40% filler, e.g., titanium dioxide or fibrous clay, 0-30% wax, e.g., carnauba wax, 0-40% styrene resin, e.g., polystyrene, 0-10% additive, e.g., bis-steramide, and 0-20% yeast. Typically, the sheets have a thickness of about 1 to 10 mils and an ultimate tensile strength of at least 200 grams per inch of width.

Abstract: A thin-film metal conductor system using a zirconium adhesion layer is disclosed. The system is formed by first plating a layer of zirconium over a substrate material and any electrical components, such as resistors, which are fixed on the substrate. A conductive layer is then deposited over those portions of the zirconium layer which are to provide conductive pathways. The resulting unit is thermally treated in an oxidizing environment, such as air, to oxidize the exposed portions of the zirconium layer and thereby form regions of zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide is nonconductive and protects underlying components from moisture and physical abrasion.

Abstract: Improved adhesive tabs for fastening disposable garments, e.g., diapers, about the body of a wearer by adhering the tab to an outer portion of the garment made of plastic film of predetermined tensile strength carry a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating having an adhesive strength when plotted as the ordinate against speed of removal from a reference substrate as the abscissa that asymptotically approaches, but does not exceed, the value of the film's predetermined tensile strength whereby the adhesive tab may be repeatedly adhered to and removed from the garment outer portion to fasten and unfasten the garment without tearing its outer portion film.

Abstract: A coating of metallic material is deposited on the internal surface of a hollow object. An elongate member comprising two electrical conductors extending side-by-side from end-to-end of the member has one end inside the hollow object and its opposite end outside the object. A filament has its two ends connected to the conductors respectively at the one end of the elongate member, and a crucible containing metal to be deposited is supported above the filament and in spaced relationship thereto. By supplying current to the filament by way of the conductors for the filament is heated to achieve thermonic emission. The filament and the crucible are connected to negative and positive terminals respectively of a potential source so that electrons emitted by the filament are accelerated towards the crucible and cause the crucible to be heated by electron bombardment.

Abstract: Metallic sputtering targets having minimal mobile ion contamination are produced by forming a compacted slab of particles of the constituent metal(s) in an isostatic pressing operation. The slab is then transferred to a heat resistant support faced with a material, such as alumina, that is inert at high temperatures. Next, the supported slab is placed in a vacuum oven and heated to a temperature sufficient to bond the metal particles together and volatilize mobile ion contaminants. The sintered slab is usable as a cathodic sputtering target with minimal additional treatment. The level of mobile ion contaminants in the completed target may be monitored by fabricating an MOS capacitor using the target, plotting its capacitance versus applied voltage over a suitable range, then measuring the extent to which the plot shifts after a high temperature-positive bias stress treatment.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a hybrid circuit including a siliceous substrate and thick metal conductors. A thin film barrier layer is provided intermediate the substrate and a vacuum-deposited metal layer, which metal layer is subsequently electroplated to provide the desired metal thickness. The barrier layer, which may suitably be a refractory metal oxide such as the oxides of zirconium, tantalum, titanium, or tungsten, prevents loss of adhesion between the vacuum deposited metal and substrate that occurs during electroplating.