Abstract: Continuous-line methods and apparatus for orientation and uniform deposition of fibers to enhance directional properties in and production rates of fiberboard produced from lightweight fibrous furnish.A plurality of elongated rod electrodes are predeterminedly spaced over the area of fiber deposition to establish an electric field exerting a torque on discrete fibers tending to orient longitudinal axes of the fibers in the plane of the mat being formed and aligned with the machine forming direction for such mat. Placement of the rod electrodes and controlled rotation about their longitudinal axes yield a combination of electrical and mechanical forces to provide desired orientation and uniformity of deposition over the full area of deposition.Directional properties measured in the compacted and cured fiberboard establish that effective orientation ratios of longitudinal axes of fibers in the preferred direction of 1.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for continuous-line manufacture of composition board from furnish which is moved in a continuous-flow manner through a processing line and distributed for deposition at a uniform rate over a preselected area to continuously form a mat for compaction.Commercially economical production flow rates are achieved with a lightweight refined wood furnish to form fiberboard having directional properties without relying on pneumatic impulsion while uniformly distributed furnish is delivered substantially free of air turbulence effects enabling fiber orientation by means of an electrical field.Control of movement and accurate metering of furnish are facilitated by continuously over-feeding furnish into the processing line and returning excess furnish as part of an initial distribution of furnish over one dimension of the mat to be formed.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of preparing an electrical contact from sub-micron size silver and less than two micron size cadmium oxide particles with the contact having finally dispersed particles of cadmium oxide within grains of silver. In the instant invention the particles of silver and cadmium oxide are intimately blended together and subjected to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of from 321.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. to reduce the cadmium oxide and form an alloy powder of cadmium and silver. The alloy formed is held at an elevated temperature following reducing and then oxidized at a temperature of from 321.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. to precipitate a dispersion of cadmium oxide within grains of silver and form a silver-cadmium oxide alloy powder. In an alternative embodiment an alloy powder of cadmium and silver already prepared from sub-micron size particles of silver and less than two micron size particles of cadmium oxide is heated to a temperature of from 321.degree. C.