Abstract: According to the present invention, a process is provided for producing an acyl group-containing composition that includes a step of reacting a long chain N-acyl acidic amino acid anhydride with one or more compounds which have, per molecule, m functional groups of one kind or more selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino and thiol groups in an aqueous solvent and/or a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent (reaction step). The process makes it possible to produce an acyl group-containing composition that is free from coloration under moderate conditions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a process is provided for producing an acyl group-containing composition that includes a step of reacting a long chain N-acyl acidic amino acid anhydride with one or more compounds which have, per molecule, m functional groups of one kind or more selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino and thiol groups in an aqueous solvent and/or a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent (reaction step). The process makes it possible to produce an acyl group-containing composition that is free from coloration under moderate conditions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a process is provided for producing an acyl group-containing composition that includes a step of reacting a long chain N-acyl acidic amino acid anhydride with one or more compounds which have, per molecule, m functional groups of one kind or more selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino and thiol groups in an aqueous solvent and/or a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent (reaction step). The process makes it possible to produce an acyl group-containing composition that is free from coloration under moderate conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal-based composite material comprising aluminum or an aluminum alloy combined with a whisker of aluminum borate represented by the chemical formula of 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3 or 2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.B.sub.2 O.sub.3. This composite material has excellent mechanical properties such as high tensile strength and high hardness.

Abstract: An aluminum borate whisker having a composition of 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3 or 2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is formed by reacting under heating at least one aluminum-supplying component selected from the group consisting of hydroxides and inorganic salts of aluminum and at least one boric acid-supplying component selected from the group consisting of oxides, oxyacids and their alkali metal salts of boron in the presence of at least one flux selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkali metal sulfates and alkali carbonates.

Abstract: A limit switch includes a casing, a switch mechanism housed in the casing, a cover covering the casing, and an actuator mounted in the casing for operating the switch mechanism, the cover having a curved or partly spherical convex surface. The cover has at least a transparent or semitransparent portion, and a rating plate is disposed against a back of the transparent or semitransparent portion of the cover. The curved or partly spherical convex surface of the cover prevents spatter expelled from a welding machine from being deposited thereon. Since the spatter is not deposited directly on the rating plate, indications on the rating plate and the energization of an operation indication lamp within the cover can reliably be confirmed.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon fluoride at a high selectivity with minimum formation of by-products is disclosed, which comprises reacting a hydrogen-containing hydrocarbon halide with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase in the presence of a reaction product of (i) at least one of (a) an oxygen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2 O, H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and an oxygen-containing organic compound, and (b) a nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of NH.sub.3 and a nitrogen-containing organic compound, (ii) a tin compound selected from the group consisting of a stannic halide, a stannic oxyhalide and an organotin compound, and (iii) anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: An electrical switch of dual in-line package type which includes a switch casing having a housing fitting over a base onto which contact leads forming switch sections of the switch are molded, actuators movably disposed in the corresponding switching sections for selectively connecting and disconnecting the contact leads, and a dust cover to fit over the housing. Each of the actuators has an actuating knob extending through the housing for moving the actuators between first and second positions to turn the switch section on or off, which actuating knob has notched portions which engage a projection formed in the dust cover for preventing erroneous function of the switch, while the base is initially divided into two blocks for subsequent welding to each other to achieve air-tightness and to facilitate assembling work of the switch.

Abstract: Dicyan is produced by reacting hydrocyanic acid with oxygen or oxygen-containing inert gas in an aqueous solution of copper nitrate or copper nitrate and one or more nitrates of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or aluminum at a pH of from -0.5 to 1.5. Almost all the small quantity of nitrogen oxides by-produced in the reaction can be removed by absorbing them in the catalyst solution in which the reaction is terminated or retarded and the resulting solution can be reused by recycling.