Abstract: A method for improving the abrasion resistance of an electroless plated ferromagnetic recording layer of a video tape comprises applying a solution of a long chain organic perioxide, e.g. lauroyl peroxide, to the surface.

Abstract: A method for improving the abrasion resistance of the (cobalt) recording layer of a video tape which comprises applying a (strong) hydrogen peroxide solution to the surface and quickly removing the solution prior to the onset of disintegration of the recording layer.

Abstract: A rigid inorganic foam of cellular structure comprising one or more layer minerals, and a method for making inorganic foams comprising gasifying a suspension of one or more layer minerals in a liquid medium, shaping the gasified suspension, and removing the liquid medium from the shaped gasified suspension.

Abstract: A capodastro for stringed musical instruments, has a pressure bar C, and a strap D. Lower face L of bar C has two roughly parallel long edges. Edge I is straight, and edge K is vertically concave. The concavity at edge K complements the maximum convexity normally found transversely on the fingerboards of stringed musical instruments. The longitudinal contour lines of face L increase in curvature gradually from straight edge I to curved edge K. In one version face L is smooth. In a second version face L bears any number of longitudinal ridges M. The lower face L of pressure bar C is thus adapted to press equally on all the strings whether the fingerboard be flat or convex.

Abstract: A capodastro for stringed musical instruments adapted for use on both flat fingerboards and transversely convex fingerboards, having a bar C adapted to press strings B onto fingerboard F, and means of attachment D around neck A of the instrument, the bar consisting principally of flexible pad H having grooves L1, not visible in FIG. 5, and L2 along its two long vertical faces in which grooves are located the long edges of hollow frame J, one of which long edges, not visible in FIG. 5, is continuous, and the other long edge K is discontinuous. When mounted on a flat fingerboard the continuous edge maintains a straight configuration. On a transversely convex fingerboard the two portions K1 and K2 of the discontinuous edge adopt an angle to each other which is compatible with the maintenance of equal pressure by said pad H over all the strings. The two portions K1 and K2 of the discontinuous edge may be either straight or curved.

Abstract: A melamine-aldehyde-phosphate condensation product which is useful as a fire-retardant, especially for plastics materials, and which is made by reacting melamine and at least one aldehyde, or a condensate of melamine and at least one aldehyde, with at least one oxyacid of phosphorus or precursor therefor or ester thereof until the condensation product is essentially non-acidic, the proportions of melamine and aldehyde being chosen such that the molar ratio of units derived from melamine: units derived from aldehyde in the condensation product is in the range 1:1.5 to 1:4.5, and the proportions of melamine and oxyacid of phosphorus or precursor therefor or ester thereof being chosen such that the molar ratio of units derived from melamine:phosphorus in the condensation product is in the range 1:0.4 to 1:1.7.

Abstract: A liquid coating composition comprising a liquid diluent, the precursors of a cross-linked epoxy resin, and a metal phosphate comprising phosphate ions and the ions of at least one metal, the cross-linked epoxy resin precursors comprising at least one polyether having at least two epoxy groups per molecule and at least one cross-linking agent reactive with the polyether, the cross-linking agent being present in an amount of from 5% to 40% by weight of the polyether and the amount of cross-linked epoxy resin precursors being in the range 1% to 90% by weight of the total weight of the cross-linked epoxy resin precursors plus metal ions of the metal phosphate.