Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the metallizing of an article to provide on the surface thereof a metallic coating free of codeposited particulate matter comprising the contacting of said article with a metallizing composition having dispersed therein finely insoluble particulate matter which are not codeposited within said metallic coating during the plating process. Said process provides an improved surface morphology in comparison to the metallic coating derived from said metallizing composition in the absence of said insoluble particulate matter.

Abstract: A mechanical plating process and composition for applying tin- and nickel-containing mechanically plated coatings, which exhibit improved brightness and corrosion resistance, to metal articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the plating of a substrate with a composite coating bearing a metallic matrix with finely divided particulate matter dispersed therein. The plating bath is derived by the admixing of a prestabilized particulate matter composition or a precursor thereof along with the required plating chemicals. The use of a prestabilized particulate matter composition offers a convenient way of shipping treated powders devoid of liquids and thereby minimizing shipping costs and aging effects commonly associated with liquid dispersions. The use of the novel prestabilized particulate matter composition along with the plating chemistry provides results substantially the same as those observed from freshly prepared liquid dispersions and their incorporation along with the plating chemicals.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for use in a formation of transparent and electrically conductive film having a low electric resistance and a high transmittance and a method for making the film mentioned above. A mixture of inorganic indium compound and organic tin compound is combined with organic compound capable of coordinating with either of indium and tin to form an organic solution. When the mixture is heated, the inorganic indium compound and the organic tin compound coordinating partially with the organic compound react with water of crystallization of inorganic indium compound. The organic tin compound is partially subjected to hydrolysis to form an intermediate complex compound including indium and tin. This suppresses the evaporation of tin and generates a uniform film having a high transmittance and a low electric resistance.

Abstract: Electrodes are formed on an electronic part by an initial step of forming electrodes on a ceramic substrate, dipping the ceramic substrate in a noble metal solution for activating the surface of the electrodes by the use of a noble metal, and forming a solder layer or a tin layer on the activated surface of the electrode by electroless plating using 3-valence titanium ion as a reducing agent. The electrodes to be formed on the ceramic substrate may be a double layer comprised of a first layer containing silver, silver-palladium, silver-platinum or copper and a second electroless nickel plated layer. In the step of forming a solder layer or a tin layer on the activated surface of the electrode by electroless plating using 3-valence titanium ion a reducing agent, it is preferable to add a metal ion except tin and lead in the plating bath. Preferably, the metal ion added in the plating bath may be alkali earth metal element or may be at least one ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Ca.sup.

Abstract: Described is an aqueous electroless alkaline pH tin coating composition comprised of a source of tin ions and an effective amount of a sludge control agent that is an organic chelating composition.

Abstract: An acoustical tile composition based on a gypsum/cellulosic fiber composition which can replace all or a portion of the mineral wool normally present in acoustical ceiling tiles. The gypsum/cellulosic fiber composition is combined with a lightweight aggregate material and a binder to form a composition which is used in a water-felting process to manufacture acoustical ceiling tiles and panels. The preferred source of the cellulosic fiber is a composite gypsum/cellulose fiber material which is prepared by mixing the gypsum and cellulosic fiber material with sufficient water to form a dilute slurry which is then heated under pressure to calcine the gypsum, converting it to an alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The resulting composite material comprises cellulosic fibers physically interlocked with calcium sulfate crystals. Another source of both gypsum and cellulosic fibers is waste (scrap) gypsum wallboard. Expanded perlite is the preferred lightweight aggregate material.

Abstract: It has now been found that one or more metals selected from the group consisting of tin, lead, bismuth, indium, gallium and germanium may be deposited onto a metal surface utilizing an aqueous electroless plating solution which comprises(A) at least one solution-soluble metal salt selected from the group consisting of a stannous salt, a lead salt, a bismuth salt, an indium salt, a gallium salt and a germanium salt;(B) at least one acid selected from the group consisting of fluoboric acid, alkane sulfonic acids, alkanol sulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof;(C) a complexing agent which is an imidazole-2-thione compound of the Formula III ##STR1## wherein A and B are the same or different --RY groups wherein R is a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbylene group containing up to 12 carbon atoms, and Y is a hydrogen, halogen, cyano, vinyl, phenyl, or ether moiety; and(D) water. Optionally, the aqueous plating solutions may contain one or more surfactants.

Abstract: A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. The preferred lubricant is a visco-elastic fluid that has a principle molecule and a gelling agent.

Abstract: A binder composition for storable zinc dust paints contains a mixture of silicic acid esters, solvents, curing agents, an antideposition agent, and a dearomatized aliphatic hydrocarbon mixture with an average molecular weight of 133. The binder composition has a flash point distinctly higher than 21.degree. C.

Abstract: There are disclosed a process for preparing an ambient temperature molten salt, which comprises treating an ambient temperature molten salt consisting essentially of 20 to 50 mole % of an aluminum halide and 80 to 50 mole % of an onium halide, containing oxygen-containing impurities originating from water with thionyl chloride anda process for preparing an ambient temperature molten salt for effecting aluminum electroplating, which comprises treating mixed ambient temperature molten salts consisting essentially of 30 to 50 mole % of an aluminum halide and 70 to 50 mole % of an onium halide, containing oxygen-containing impurities originating from water with thionyl chloride, and then adding aluminum halide to the molten salt to prepare an ambient temperature molten salt composition consisting essentially of 50 to 80 mole % of an aluminum halide and 50 to 20 mole % of an onium halide.

Abstract: A water absorbing porous article comprising a sponge and a metal complex is disclosed The metal complex comprises a metal ion, at least one chelating polymer chelated to the metal ion and at least one potentiator chelated to the metal ion. The chelating polymer in a preferred embodiment is chitosan.

Abstract: Described is an aqueous electroless alkaline pH tin coating composition comprised of a source of tin ions and an effective amount of a sludge control agent that is an organic chelating composition.

Abstract: A brightening agent for use in tungsten alloy electroplating baths to replace hexavalent chromium plating or other hard lubrous coatings. Baths of the present invention comprise an effective amount of tungsten ions; an effective amount of a metal ion compatible with tungsten; one or more complexing agents; and an effective amount of a bath soluble alkoxylated hydroxy alkyne for providing brightening of a tungsten alloy electroplate.

Abstract: An acoustic ceiling patch or textured material in the form of a sprayable composition including a base, a filler and a binder as well as a propellant or carrier storable and dispensable from a pressurized dispenser having a delivery nozzle and a removable dispensing tube. An aerosol system with a spray nozzle is included on the container for selective discharge of the textured material onto a prepared patch area which may be on a drywall or support panel so as to match and blend with the surrounding acoustic ceiling surface area in order to provide a continuous and unbroken coextensive surface texture of mechanically and visually matched material. A distribution straw is included for selectively conducting the textured material in a desired direction while holding the dispenser upright.

Abstract: A composite plating coating includes a metal plating coating which is dispersed with an antibacterial and antifungal composition and/or a fragrant composition. Particularly, by dispersing carriers absorbed with an antibacterial and antifungal composition and a fragrant composition in a metal plating coating, a composite plating coating with an antibacterial and antifungal effect and a fragrance effect can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing organic metal finishing additives in aqueous metal treating baths by dissolving the organic metal finishing additive with a cyclodextrin and a common solvent therefor, so that an inclusion compound of the organic metal finishing additive in the cyclodextrin is formed, and then dissolving the inclusion compound in an aqueous metal treating bath. Aqueous metal treating baths having dissolved therein inclusion compounds of organic metal finishing additives in cyclodextrins are also described.

Abstract: A process for the electroless deposition of metals and alloys onto a substrate by immersion of the substrate into an electroless plating composition. Said electroless plating composition comprises a solvent, a metallic compound, an electroless reducing agent, a complexing agent and/or chelating agent, and a compound comprising cobaltic ions. The presence of the cobaltic ions assists in the stabilization of this composition of matter.

Abstract: Thermal insulation is prepared using gelatin foam. Embodiments of gelatin foam insulation which are described include gelatin foam having an anti-wicking agent which is an aromatic compound having as ring substituents: an --NH.sub.2 moiety and/or a hydroxyl moiety and also at least two sulfonate moieties. In another embodiment, the gelatin foam is combined with phyllosilicate mineral lamellae for void control and as a shrinkage deterrent. In yet another embodiment, crosslinked gelatin foam is described which has been crosslinked with a melamine/formaldehyde condensation product, a polyfunctional aziridine and/or an epichlorohydrin/polyamide condensation product.

Abstract: An electroless immersion plating process for depositing a tin-bismuth plate onto a surface formed of copper or the like comprises immersing the surface into an acidic aqueous solution comprising a tin alkane sulfonate compound, preferably tin methane sulfonate, and a bismuth alkane sulfonate compound, preferably bismuth methane sulfonate. The solution also contains thiourea in an amount effective to reduce tin at the surface. The bismuth compound is added in an amount to produce a bismuth concentration that is less than about 1.0 gram per liter. Furthermore, the ratio of tin to bismuth in the solution is at least 30 to 1, and preferably at least 50 to 1. The process deposits a dense, adherent plate composed of a tin-bismuth alloy containing at least 50 weight percent tin and preferably containing greater than 70 weight percent tin, which plate is well suited for use in microelectronic soldering operations.

Abstract: Cellulose sponge using non-woody pulp as raw material and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, cellulose sponge can be produced without using wood pulp, with using vegetable cellulose of low plants, shrub, or the like to contribute to the prevention of the forest destruction and provide the way to use the waste material.

Abstract: Newly developed polymeric materials are presented in a form of pellet, thread, sponge, rubber, or plate acting as a damper for shear mode and an absorber against outside noise. These materials provide multiple functions of damping, sound absorbency and insulation performance at audio frequency.

Abstract: A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. A low specific gravity, low thermal mass, low coefficient of heat transfer, insulative and flotation qualities are provided by the invention.

Abstract: Flowable, pressure-compensating material compositions are provided. The compositions are directed toward improving one or more aspects of the flowable material, such as by providing/improving flame retardancy and/or the homogeneity of the composition over time. For instance, one composition includes a liquid, a viscosity-increasing material, and beads having a preselected coating thereon to provide for a coupling interaction with at least one of the liquid and the viscosity-increasing material.

Abstract: A mineral wool-free acoustical tile composition and the acoustical tile made therefrom wherein an expanded perlite is used as a substitute for granulated mineral wool to provide porosity and good sound absorption properties. It is preferred that the composition and acoustical tile also contain an inorganic filler to provide texturability during the manufacturing process. In addition, the acoustical tile composition also contains a starch gel binder and a fiber reinforcing agent selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, polymeric fibers and glass fibers. It has been found that the mineral wool-free acoustical tile compositions of this invention have acoustical properties comparable to the commercially available cast mineral wool tiles. In addition, the mineral wool-free compositions can be used to cast an acoustical tile using equipment and procedures currently used to produce cast mineral wool tiles.

Abstract: A composition for making fired dielectric layers which is especially suitable for laser scribing consisting essentially of finely divided particles of dielectric glass, inorganic filler having a refractive index higher than the glass and cobalt oxide, all being dispersed in organic medium. The composition can be in the form of either thick film paste or green tape.

Abstract: Biofoam is a rigid, opaque microcellular organic foam made from organic materials derived from natural products and biological organisms. Typical organic materials are agar, agarose, gelatin, algin, alginates, gellan gum, and microcrystalline cellulose. The organic material is dissolved in a polar solvent, typically water, and the solution can be gelled immediately. The gel is frozen and freeze-dried to form the biofoam. Alternatively, a nonpolar solvent is added to the solution and emulsified. The resulting emulsion is then gelled, frozen, and freeze-dried. A variety of crystalline, fibrous, or metallic additives may be added to produce lightweight composite materials with enhanced strength and insulating properties. The amount of dilution of the organic material in the solvent(s) determines the density of the resulting biofoams, which ranges from about 1.0 mg/cm.sup.3 to about 500 mg/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: In order to provide an electroless plating solution containing trivalent titanium ions for serving as a reductant which can deposit a plating film in a pH range between a weak acid level and a weak alkaline level with excellent stability, carbonate such as sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate is contained in the electroless plating solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electroless solder plating bath capable of autocatalytically depositing solder on a metal such as copper or nickel or an activated non-conductor base material in an arbitrary film thickness and an arbitrary film composition. This plating bath contains bivalent ions of tin and bivalent ions of lead as metal ions, a complexing agent, and a reductant, while the reductant contains trivalent titanium ions. The plating bath can be used at a temperature of 40.degree. to 80.degree. C., with a pH value of 5.0 to 11.0.

Abstract: Biofoam is a rigid, microcellular organic foam made from organic materials derived from natural products and biological organisms. Starting materials include agar, agarose, gelatin, algin, alginates, gellan gum, and microcrystalline cellulose. The organic material is dissolved in a polar solvent, typically water, and the mixture is gelled. The water in the gel pores is replaced at least once with another solvent to reduce the pore size of the final biofoam. The solvent in the gel pores may be replaced several times. After the final replacement of solvent, the gel is frozen and freeze-dried to form a biofoam. Translucent biofoams are formed by selecting a final solvent that forms very small crystals. A variety of crystalline, fibrous, amorphous, or metallic additives may be incorporated into the foam structure to produce lightweight composite materials with enhanced strength and insulating properties.

Abstract: A process for making a shaped biodegradable cellulosic article from cellulose-containing material having a water content of less than about 50 percent by weight. The process includes forming a dry mix of the material, a bonding agent and an expander. The dry mix is fed to a screw extruder and pressurized to a nominal pressure in the extruder. Water is injected into the pressurized dry mix. The wetted mixture is then extruded into a shaped article. A biodegradable product is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A pressurized dispenser is disclosed herein having a container housing a quantity of acoustic ceiling patch or textured material mixed with base, filler and a binder as well as with a carrier such as aerosol. A manual pump or spray nozzle is included on the container for selective discharge of the patch or textured material onto a prepared area which is a drywall or support sheet so as to match and blend in with the surrounding acoustic ceiling surface area to provide continuous and unbroken coextensive surface texture of mechanically and visually matched material.

Abstract: Intumescent sheets are having improved expansion characteristics are disclosed. The intumescent sheets comprise an inorganic fibrous material, a binder, and a heat expandable layer mineral composition containing at least 87.5% by weight of heat expandable interstratified layer minerals comprising interstratified layers of vermiculite and biotite.

Abstract: Stabilized electroless nickel plating baths employing a hypophosphite reducing agent and conducted under electroless plating conditions which are treated to remove and control phosphite anions by the addition of lithium hydroxide to form insoluble dilithium phosphite readily recoverable from the bath on a batch or continuous basis.

Abstract: Immersion tin-lead baths are provided, preferably free of hypophosphite ion, comprising a strongly acidic aqueous solution comprised of thiourea, water-soluble sources of divalent tin and lead, a weak acid, and a weak base.

Abstract: A process for producing a biodegradable resin foam, having the steps of mixing a starch polymer containing from 5% by weight to 30% by weight of water, a vinyl alcohol resin containing from 5% by weight to 30% by weight of water, a nonionic surfactant, an inorganic or organic filler, and optionally a thickening agent; optionally adjusting the water content of the mixture, to prepare a composition having from 5% by weight to 30% by weight of water on the whole, based on total weight of the composition; melting and expanding it to prepare a foam, which has a low density and fine closed cells, and shows a good surface condition in a molded body.

Abstract: Phosphorus-containing, crystalline, nickel-coated fabric, wherein said nickel contains 1 to 6 weight percent phosphorus, has crystallites greater than 3 nanometers and has a surface resistivity of less than 1 ohm/square is deposited onto a substrate a surface which is catalytic to electroless deposition of nickel by immersing the substrate into an electroless nickel plating solution consisting essentially of nickel salt, one or more organic acids, hypophosphite reducing agent, thiourea and ammonia and essentially no heavy metal, wherein the concentration of said thiourea is less than 1 ppm, maintained at a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 and a temperature less than 60.degree. C. Preferred plating solutions comprise essentially no lead or cadmium and have a molar ratio of nickel to hypophosphite in said solution is 0.4 to 0.55. Preferred organic acids are selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, aspartic acid and glycolic acid.

Abstract: In an electroless plating bath containing bismuth trichloride, a reducing agent and complexing agents, stannous chloride is employed as the reducing agent to enable electroless plating of bismuth, which has generally been regarded as impossible. A preferable composition of the plating bath is 0.08M of bismuth trichloride, 0.34M of sodium citrate, 0.08M of EDTA, 0.20M of nitrilotriacetic acid, and 0.04M of stannous chloride. In plating treatment, the plating bath preferably has a temperature of 60.degree. C. and a pH value of 8.6 to 8.8.

Abstract: An immersion tin/lead alloy plating bath has a basic composition comprising an organic sulfonic acid, divalent tin and lead salts of the organic sulfonic acid and thiourea and further contains thiocyanic acid or derivative thereof, optionally with hydrated hydrazine. With this plating bath, an alloy deposit, which has a particularly desired Sn/Pb ratio of 60%/40% or so and is improved in terms of adhesion and homogeneity, can be stably obtained on the surface of copper or a copper alloy in a relatively low temperature region within a short span of time.

Abstract: A process of electrolessly metallizing a body on the surface thereof with a metal coating incorporating particulate matter therein, which process comprises contacting the surface of said body with a stable electroless metallizing bath comprising a metal salt, an electroless reducing agent, a complexing agent, a quantity of particulate matter which is essentially insoluble or sparingly soluble in the metallizing bath, and a particulate matter stabilizer (PMS), and maintaining said particulate matter in suspension in said metallizing bath during the metallizing of said body for a time sufficient to produce a metallic coating with said particulate matter dispersed therein.

Abstract: An ultra-lightweight, open-pore foamed cellulose material with an increased surface area, having ion exchangeable functional groups introduced in it. The cellulose material presents a three-dimensional network structure which, upon swollen, has a particle diameter of 0.8 to 12.0 mm, a mean pore diameter of 0.1 to 1.7 mm, a specific surface area of 1.0 to 10.0 m.sup.2 /g, a true density of 1.4 to 1.6 g/cm.sup.3 and a porosity of 90% or greater. The ion exchangeable functional groups, for instance, may be cationic polyethyleneimine.

Abstract: A fusible conductive adhesive for making electrical and mechanical contact is provided. The fusible conductive adhesive contains a polymer having a glass transition temperature and a thermal expansion co-efficient. The thermal expansion co-efficient of the polymer is in the range of about 5 parts per million per degree centigrade to about 10 parts per million per degree centigrade along a z-axis. The polymer is loaded with a conductive material having a sintering temperature range overlapping the glass transition temperature of the polymer. In addition, the loading of the conductive material in the polymer is in the range of about 15% to about 20% conductive material by weight based on the total weight of the polymer and the conductive material.

Abstract: A method of environmental cleanup by producing an autoclaved aerated cement building material (termed AAC) by a process that uses the available silica sand and other raw materials in mine tailings, in particular copper mine tailings from porphyry copper mines. The process minimizes the need for processed silica sand and other raw materials, normally used in the production of the AAC building material. The lightweight AAC building material produced from the mine tailings has excellent thermal insulation properties, sound absorption and other desirable construction qualities comparable to AAC building material produced using processed silica sand, i.e. from non-mine tailings raw material sources.

Abstract: A gas injection stone is manufactured by embedding in a refractory compound a plurality of adjacent and abutting nets. Thereby, when the refractory compound is solidified and when the nets subsequently are removed by burning or melting, the result will be the formation within the stone of plural interconnected layers of interlinked gas channels.

Abstract: A syntactic foam product having a desired configuration is set forth. The product comprises a plurality of rigid gas filled bubbles arranged in the desired configuration. The bubbles are defined by respective individual and discrete substantially spherical shells preferably formed of a biodegradable shell material. The shells abut one another. They define open spaces where they are not abutting. Attaching material attaches the abutting shells to one another. The open spaces between the shells are not filled by the attaching material. The attaching material is environmentally degradable. It releases the bubbles under ambient conditions after a selected time interval. The shells are in contact with their surroundings and can relatively rapidly biodegrade.

Abstract: Expanded foam materials having a high degree of biodegradability are prepared by combining a starch-graft copolymer (SGC) with grain based starch containing materials and 15-25% water and expanding the mixture either with or without blowing agents. The mixture of SGC and grain based material is directly expanded at elevated temperature with an extruder or other expansion means. The product may be customized for particular applications by manipulating the particular grafted monomer, manipulating the ratio of SGC to grain based material and/or by the addition of nucleators, blowing agents, plasticizers or other additives, and/or by varying moisture content and the conditions of expansion.

Abstract: An electroless plating solution comprises nickel ion, a chelating agent for nickel ion, dimethylamine borane, one or more soluble salts of a condensate of an arylsulfonic acid with formalin, and thiodiglycolic acid, and an electroless plating method comprises the step of immersing a substrate to be plated in this electroless plating solution for sufficent time period to form a nickel or nickel alloy layer on the substrate. The electroless plating solution has a high bath stability and is capable of forming an excellent thick deposit free from pits and cracks.

Abstract: A tin or tin-lead alloy electroless plating bath comprising (A) a stannous salt or a mixture of a stannous salt and a lead salt, (B) an acid, (C) thiourea or a thiourea derivative, and (D) a reducing agent is improved by adding (E) a nonionic surfactant and optionally, (F) a cationic surfactant, a nitrogenous heterocyclic compound or a derivative thereof, or alternatively by adding (G) an ammonium or quaternary ammonium ion. From the bath, uniform films of fine grains will chemically deposit on fine pitch printed wiring boards intended for SMT.

Abstract: A resistor composition comprising a pyrochlore-related oxide a glass frit and, anorthite as a finely-divided filler. The resistor composition exhibits high tolerance in respect to firing temperatures. Thick film resistors obtained therefrom by firing on, for example, aluminum oxide substrates, have relatively uniform resistance values, even with inconsistent firing conditions, and have high stability of resistance following laser trimming.

Abstract: Conductivizing coating solutions prepared from cuprous iodide and ligands which are pyridine or monodentate pyridine derivatives provide excellent transparent, conductive coatings for use in electrophotographic and ground plane including articles. The coating compositions may also utilize solvents which solubilize the cuprous iodide-ligand complex formed. A method of forming transparent conductivizing coating solutions is also provided.