Abstract: A process for forming a self-supporting preform layer of a homogeneous blend of relatively long glass staple length fibers and wettable fine denier staple length thermoplastic filaments wherein a neutral pH aqueous slurry of the glass fibers and filaments are formed into a mat using conventional papermaking equipment. In the preferred process the wettable thermoplastic filaments are dispersed first in the water then followed by the addition of the glass fibers. The self-supporting preform when converted into a molded composite structure results in a substantially void-free structure of individual glass fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin matrix.

Abstract: Multi-layered tissue paper webs comprising chemical softener compositions and binder materials are disclosed. The multi-layered tissue webs are useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as facial tissues and/or toilet tissues. The multi-layered tissue paper products contain a chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, sorbitols, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 800, polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web consists of 15 to 50 wt. % of first polyester fibers having a length of 5 mm to 3/4 inch and a denier of 0.3 to 3, 5 to 50 wt. % of second polyester fibers having a length of 5 mm to 1-1/2 inches and a denier of 3 to 15, and 10 to 40 wt. % of binder fibers comprising thermoplastic binder material having a melting temperature which is less than the first and second melting temperatures respectively. The first and second polyester fibers are bonded to each other at least in part by solidification of the thermoplastic binder material after subjecting the web to temperatures in excess of the melting temperature of the binder material but not in excess of the melting temperature of either the first or second polyester fibers. In particular, the web is thermally bonded by calendaring at a temperature of in the range of 360.degree. to 410.degree. F. and at a pressure in the range of 40 to 70 psi.

Abstract: A non-woven solidified by means of a melt binder is described, which is based on supporting aramid fibers and on binding fibers made of thermoplastic aramids whose melting point is below the melting or decomposition point of said supporting aramid fibers. In the non-woven, the binding fibers are virtually completely melted. The non-wovens are distinguished by high strength.

Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains more than about 70 percent, by weight, pulp fibers which are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament substrate. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing a flat, fibrous, supple substrate, difficult to tear, said process consisting in:preparing by fibrillation natural cellulosic fibers until their drainability is greater than 60.degree. Schopper-Riegler,mixing in water a batch of cellulosic fibers thus refined and at least 30% by weight on dry matter of artificial fibers, with respect to the whole quantity of said artificial and cellulosic fibers,diluting the mixture obtained,and producing a substrate sheet from a machine supplied with the mixture.The invention is more particularly applicable to the manufacture of envelopes and sachets.

Abstract: Mineral salts formed during steam generation are preferentially deposited on one or more non-woven, porous mats made of fiber-forming synthetic resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides graft copolymers that are highly absorbent to aqueous electrolyte solutions.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making a paper based product which comprises first preparing a slurry of a cellulosic pulp, a particulate binder substantially insoluble in water, and an emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof. This slurry is then drained of liquid to form a web, with the web being dried to provide the paper based product. The preferred polymeric binder is a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol powder, which binder can be present in the final dried product in amounts of up to about 20 weight percent or more. The use of the emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof permits a web containing such a high amount of sticky polymeric binder to be dried at high temperatures, without the web sticking to the drying cans generally used in commercial processes. The process of the present invention thereby permits one to efficiently prepare such a paper based product using conventional, commercial papermaking machinery.

Abstract: A process for preparing subdenier fibers and structures thereof from isotropic polymer solutions is disclosed. The process comprises extruding a stream of the polymer solution into a chamber, introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber, directing the gas in the flow direction of and in surrounding contact with the stream within the chamber, passing both the gas and the stream into a zone of lower pressure at a velocity sufficient to attenuate the stream and fragment it into fibers, and contacting the fragmented stream in the zone with a coagulating fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding the fibers of a fiber reinforced plastic preform. A fiber reinforced plastic preform is created in a preselected geometry from a mixture of reinforcing fibers and binding fibers, the binding fibers being responsive to a high frequency electromagnetic field to melt thereby binding the reinforcing fibers. The fiber reinforced plastic preform is then exposed for a short period of time to a high frequency electromagnetic field, with the high frequency electromagnetic field causing the binding fibers to melt thus binding the reinforcing fibers of the preform.

Abstract: Archival quality aperture cards manufactured from stock formulation including:1. between 40 and 60% southern softwood kraft pulp;2. between 60 and 40% northern mixed hardwood pulp;3. between 1.5 and 2.5% on total pulp, calcium carbonate for alkaline reserve;4. between 0.05 and 1.0% on total pulp, alkyl ketene dimer as an internal sizing agent;5. between 0.2 and 1.0% on total pulp, cationic potato starch for internal bonding improvements;6. between 0.5 and 2.0% on total pulp, cationic potato starch as a surface sizing agent;7. between 0.5 and 2.5% solids added to the surface sizing agent, alkyl ketene dimer as a slip agent; and8. between 0.01 and 0.3% dyed rayon granitizing fibers.

Abstract: A process for producing high grade polyethylene paper on conventional continuous wet-lay papermaking equipment. In particular, the process comprises preparing a furnish of 75-99 wt. % oriented polyethylene pulp, 0.5-15 wt. % fibrous stabilizing agent and 0.5-10 wt. % strengthening agent and depositing the furnish on the forming screen of a conventional wet-lay papermaking machine. The resulting waterleaf sheet is dried on heated drying cans and then thermally bonded to provide a high grade polyethylene paper having high dry strength and toughness, exceptional dimensional stability and superior uniformity (i.e., no holes). The high grade polyethylene paper made by the inventive process is particularly useful in microfiltration end-uses such as vacuum cleaner bags.

Abstract: An air permeable sheet-like structure comprising 5% to 50% by weight of reinforcing fibres, and between about 5 and about 50 millimeters long, and from 50% to 95% by weight of wholly or substantially unconsolidated particulate non-cross-linked elastomeric material, and in which the fibrous and elastomeric components are bonded into an air permeable structure.

Abstract: A fundamentally new papermaking process for the manufacture of paper, board and other wet-laid products on a paper machine under conditions ranging from acidic to alkaline from aqueous furnishes treated with in-situ-synthesized complex functional microgels.

Abstract: A method for the production of a fibrous web having textile length fibers wherein a fiber furnish is formed by dispersion of the fibers in an unfoamed carrier medium of water and an associative thickener of ethylene oxide base urethane block copolymers or hydroxyethylcellulose ethers having a C.sub.10 to C.sub.24 alkyl side chain in an amount within the range of from about 1 to about 150 pounds of thickener per ton of dry fiber and including an anionic viscosity modifier in the range of 10 to 500 ppm. The furnish having a consistency in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 weight percent fibers is supplied to a high speed papermaking machine for forming a fibrous web. The textile length fibers may be polyester fibers being 1.5 denier and 3/4 inches. The high speed papermaking machine may be a twin-wire papermaking machine or a suction breast roll papermaking machine or a crescent former papermaking machine.

Abstract: Papers with improved tensile strength and increased porosity are obtained by heat treatment of calendered sheets of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) short fibers and poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) fibrids.

Abstract: Provided is a high tear strength, high tensile strength paper product. The product comprises a wood pulp fiber, a non-cellulosic synthetic fiber having a tear strength enhancing denier and length, and a binder material. The resulting paper product exhibits a combination of tear strength and tensile strength which can equal that of cotton cloth of the same basis weight, and can therefore be used as a less expensive substitute for cotton cloth in many applications.

Abstract: A water-soluble dispersant which aids in the dispersion of polyester fibers during the preparation of a wet-laid nonwoven fiber mat, the water-soluble dispersant comprising:polyethylene glycol in an amount greater than about 80% by weight of the water-soluble dispersant:a phthalic acid ester moiety; anda monomeric glycol, wherein the phthalic acid ester moiety and the monomeric glycol are present in an amount less than about 20% by weight of the water-soluble dispersant.

Abstract: A laminated paperboard product and a process for making the product and shoe insoles made therefrom. The product is formed of a first layer with a mixture of a predominance of a polyolefin fibers (preferably polyethylene) that has been treated to make it hydrophilic and long fiber softwood pulp, and a second layer formed of a mixture of the polyolefin fiber (again preferably polyethylene) and a predominance long fiber softwood pulp.When made into shoe insoles, the product has a second ply formed of a third and a fourth layer. The third layer has a composition that is similar to the second layer in that the quantity of polyolefin is greater then the quantity of wood pulp and the fourth layer has a composition that is similar to the first layer in that the quantity of polyolefin is less then the quantity of wood pulp.

Abstract: Polycationic wet strength agents such as KYMENE are chemically modified and cross-linked into and onto the surface of latex particles. Paper treated with the resulting polycationic latex particles exhibits enhanced wet strength. Thus, KYMENE is reacted, for example, with acrylic acid and cross-linked with styrene/butadiene to provide a polycationic latex which is used to treat paper. Paper sheets, bags, containers and the like are provided. Also provided are paper towels, and the like, having super-absorbent materials incorporated therein.

Abstract: A multilayered structural article having improved resistance to delamination and having a reduced coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) relative to that of the thermoplastic resin(s) employed in its preparation comprises a core layer of a highly filled composite paper having outer layers of thermoplastic resin adhered thereto.

Abstract: A thermally bonded fibrous wet laid web containing a bicomponent fiber including a polyester or polyamide fiber component and a component consisting of a linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range of 0.88 to 0.945 g/cc. A grafted HDPE can be added to the LLDPE to improve adhesion of the bicomponent fiber. The bonded fibrous wet laid web may further include a matrix fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose paper making fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers, ceramic fibers, mineral wool fibers, polyamide fibers, and other naturally occurring fibres. It has been found that a thermally nonwoven fibrous web made using the foregoing ingredients has improved and unexpected strength, lower web variability and is softer.

Abstract: A bonded fibrous wet laid web containing cellulose acetate fibers, a bicomponent fiber including a polyester or polyamide fiber member and a second member having a melting point 20.degree. C. below that of the first member and an aqueous based organic solvent which solubilizes the surface of the cellulose acetate fibers to permit bonding of said cellulose acetate fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber comprising, chemically bonded together, (a) a conventional cellulosic fiber, such as a Kraft fiber or a chemithermomechanical pulp fiber; (b) poly(acrylate-co-itaconate), such as the acid form of a poly(acrylate-co-itaconate) comprising 90-95 mole % acrylate and 5-10 mole % itaconate having weight average molecular weight of about 600,000-900,000; and (c) a polyol, such as polyethylene glycol; also disclosed are methods for making such fibers, especially evaporatively depositing an intimate mixture of the copolymer and polyol on the fiber followed by thermally crosslinking at specific temperatures for limited periods; absorbent paper which can be made by wet-laying the fiber, especially in admixture with conventional fiber; and derivative paper structures, such as multi-ply disposable absorbent towels.

Abstract: Bulky processed sheets which are obtained from mixtures of crosslinked pulp and hot water-soluble fibers, or crosslinked pulp, thermally fusible fibers and binders are described. The sheets may be embossed by hot pressing them in wet state and may be treated with flame retardants. The bulky sheets which may be embossed or treated with retardants have wide utility in various fields and especially as interior materials.

Abstract: Capacitor grade dielectric tissue and electrolytic separator paper are manufactured on a papermaking machine from flash-spun pulp fibers of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The flash-spun synthetic pulp fibers are highly fibrillated and microporous and may be combined with unbleached sulfate woodpulp fibers to produce highly absorbent capacitor tissue and separator paper having chemical, physical and electrical properties which conform to all the essential requirements prescribed by ASTM standards.

Abstract: A paper mat is made from an aqueous slurry or dispersion of kraft wood pulp, a large amount of finely divided inorganic pigments and as a binder an anionic latex of a copolymer of at least one conjugated diene monomer, at least one vinyl substituted aromatic monomer, at least one acrylic-type monomer and at least one monomer having a vinyl group and an activatable methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl ester group. The mat of this invention exhibits improved properties over mats made from other latex binders.

Abstract: Felts and non-woven fabrics comprising glass fibers and unstretched polyester fibers having a titer higher than 3 dtex, a break elongation higher than 100%, a modulus lower than 200 g/tex, a crystallinity lower than 20%, and a toughness lower than 20 g/tex.

Abstract: A biodegradable food tray is thermoformed from one or two sheets composed of a major proportion of virgin wood pulp and minor proportions of polyolefin synthetic pulp, clay and cationic dispersed rosin, the sheets optionally containing a non-toxic coloring dye, the thermoforming of the tray acting to melt the synthetic pulp and rosin, thereby fusing the sheet to form a tray which is imperforate to penetration by grease over an extended period of time. Optionally, the sheets may be thermoset under heat and pressure without deformation to form grease proof sheets for use as such. In its method aspects, the invention contemplates the formulation of the furnish and its formation into sheets and trays.

Abstract: Magnetic paper-forming fibers have a particulate magnetic material incorporated within the fibers, as distinct from between the fibers; this can be achieved by loading the lumens of cellulosic fibers with magnetic particles or by generating magnetic particles in situ in a paper-forming fiber which contains ionic groups effective for ion exchange with ferrous ions; the fibers can be employed to produce single layer or multi-layererd magnetic papers for information storage, security paper applications, paper handling, reprographic applications such as magnetographic printing substrate as well as for speciality uses such as electromagnetic shielding, magnetic separation of antibodies based on selective adsorption.

Abstract: A novel composite board of mineral wool, perlite, and cellulosic newsprint fibers for use primarily as a ceiling tile is disclosed. The board displays virtually no sag (less than 200 mils) when exposed to high temperature and high humidity while displaying quite acceptable strength. The board is manufactured by selective deposition of a composition of latex and extender particles on the cellulosic newsprint fibers.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web consists of 15 to 50 wt. % of first polyester fibers having a first length, a first denier and a first melting temperature; 15 to 50 wt. % of second polyester fibers having a second length, a second denier and a second melting temperature; 15 to 50 wt. % of third polyester fibers having a third length, a third denier and a third melting temperature; 10 to 35 wt. % of polypropylene fibers; and 1 to 25 wt. % of cellulose fibers. The first, second and third lengths are no less than 1/2 inch, the first, second and third denier are no less than 1.5, and the third melting temperature is less than the first and second melting temperatures respectively. The first and second polyester fibers, the polypropylene fibers and the cellulose fibers are bonded to each other at least in part by solidification of the third polyester fibers after subjecting the web to temperatures in excess of the third melting temperature but not in excess of the first and second melting temperatures.

Abstract: A process for producing a printed circuit board includes steps, sequentially conducted of dispersing in water or organic solvent:(A) 95 to 20% by weight of a styrene polymer having a syndiotactic structure, (B) 5 to 80% by weight of a fibrous filler having a fiber length of 1 to 50 mm, and (C) 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of at least one of a binder and a binding fiber in proportion to 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the components (A) and (B), to make a slurry having a concentration of 0.5 to 100 g/l; separating the solids from the slurry and drying and molding them. Thereafter the solids are either subjected to melting with heating and pressure forming into the molded article, or they are impregnated with a thermoplastic resin which is then cured. Finally, a metal layer is provided on the molded article.

Abstract: Mineral paper is provided which comprises a wet-laid sheet of 1) fibers, 2) a floc of a silicate selected from the group consisting of mica and vermiculite, the said floc having a cationic polymeric flocculant having a molecular weight in the range of from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000, and 3) a non-ionic polymeric flocculant having a molecular weight of from about 2,000,000 to about 10,000,000. A process is described herein for the preparation of the paper using the two flocculants by first flocculating with the cationic polymeric flocculant and then flocculating in another step with the non-ionic polymeric flocculant to obtain an easily drained flocculated mixture which is dewatered to obtain the mineral paper.

Abstract: A high strength fibrid-floc sheet is made of a floc which can be carbon, aramid or glass. The fibrids are made from the following units: ##STR1## where n is 4 or 5; X is from 0.03 to 0.30 and Ar is a radical selected from 3,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1-methyl-2,4-phenylene, and mixtures of such radicals with each other or mixtures of such radicals with up to 50 mol percent of 1,4-phenylene radicals based on the mixtures of radicals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tactile imaging paper comprising a tactile sheet and a backing sheet laminated together. The tactile sheet is a cellulosic sheet formed from a highly dilute furnish of from 30% to 60% chemically modified high alpha pulp, 35% to 70% solftwood pulp (or a mixture of softwood pulp and hardwood pulp with the hardwood pulp comprising up to 50% of the mixture), and 0.5% to 6% polyvinyl alcohol fiber. The tactile sheet is formed from the furnish without any wet pressing of the tactile sheet. Once the tactile sheet is dry, it is dry calendered to a density of from 0.3 to 0.9 grams per cubic centimeter. Moreover, the tactile sheet has a porosity of greater than 1000 centimeters per minute. The tactile sheet has a basis weight from 75 to 200 grams per square meter and with a laminated backing sheet the tactile imaging paper has a basis weight of about 190 gsm.

Abstract: A dry sheet-like filtering material for use in liquid depth filtration and a method for making the filtering material are disclosed. The filtering material is prepared from cellulose ester fibrils having a surface area of at least 5 square meters per gram and cellulose fibers which have been beaten. The degree of beating to which the cellulose fibers are subjected and the amount of cellulose acetate fibrils mixed with the cellulose fibers can be controlled to affect the retention and flow rate characteristics of the filtering material. The filtering material is produced by preparing slurries of the cellulose ester fibrils and the cellulose fibers, beating at least the cellulose fibers, mixing the slurries, depositing the mixed slurry on a porous surface which permits the drainage of water from the deposited fibrous structure, removing the water whereby the fibrous structure is formed into a filter sheet, and drying and cutting the filter sheet.

Abstract: A hydroentangled nonwoven fabric containing ribbon shaped staple synthetic fibers having a crenulated cross-section and formed from a wet-laid web containing such crenulated fibers, preferably a blend thereof with short natural fibers, such as wood fibers. The use of a wet-laid web containing such crenulated synthetic fibers enables optimal interaction with the hydroentanglement jets of water, and a reduced level of hydroentanglement energy is required to achieve the desired performance characteristics in the fabric.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of highly compressed paper containing synthetic fibers with a volume weight of equal to or greater than 0.9 kg/dm.sup.3 whereby the paper sheet which comprises a mixture of cellulose and thermoplastic synthetic fibers in the ratio of 50:50 to 90:10 with a degree of grinding of 35 to 75 SR, is treated with sizing, retention and wetting agents and, if applicable, filler materials and is sized on the surface. Subsequently during a separate operational stage the sheet is subjected to a glaze finishing at surface temperatures of the calender rollers of equal to or greater than 100.degree. C. and linear roller pressures equal to or greater than 30 Kn/m.

Abstract: A wetlaid paper-like nonwoven structure having a permanent crepe which does not wash out. The paper-like structure contains a synthetic bicomponent fiber in an amount of less than 20% by weight and as such possesses both wet and dry strength and improved absorbent properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet obtained by a papermaking process and usable as a product that can be substituted for conventional products referred to as impregnated glass covering products. The sheet essentially contains cellulose fibers, non-cellulose fibers, a thermoplastic powder of specified grain size, and a binder. It is optionally covered with a layer of plasticizer for the thermoplastic powder. Its resistance to traction-delamination increases with grain size. It is applicable as a backing, in particular to floor or wall coverings.

Abstract: Flash expansion of moist multi-layered boards wherein each layer comprises aramid floc bonded by aramid fibrid results in high strength, low density aramid boards.

Abstract: A delaminated stratified paper towel includes a dense first layer of chemical fiber blend and a second layer of a bulky anfractuous fiber blend unitary with the first layer. The first and second layers enhance a rate of absorption and water holding capacity of the paper towel. In a preferred embodiment, the second layer is a fiber blend having a high bulk softwood fiber and a chemi-thermomechanical pulp. A method of forming a delaminated stratified web of paper towel material includes supplying a first furnish directly to a wire and supplying a second furnish of a bulky anfractuous fiber blend directly onto the first furnish disposed on the wire. Drying the first and second furnishes forms a web of paper towel material having a predetermined dryness. The web of paper towel material is thereafter creped off of the drying device and embossed to a predetermined emboss depth. The web of paper towel material has an enhanced rate of absorption and water holding capacity.

Abstract: High temperature resistant pressboard having a density of 0.70 to 0.90 g/cc, a calculated void volume of 31 to 49, percent by volume of said pressboard and a smoothness of 80 to 250 microinches MD range and 90 to 260 microinches is disclosed. The pressboard is prepared by wet laying an aqueous dispersion of polyaramid fibrids and floc to form a waterleaf building up layers to form a wet lap which is dried and then pressed at 270.degree. C. to 520.degree. C. rising a press with a predetermined minimum opening to form the desired smooth low density pressboard.

Abstract: A complex of fibrous material and fungi is prepared by allowing fungi to grow in a medium containing a fibrous material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a confidential postcard contains dehydrating a starting paper material containing 25 to 45% by weight of fibers of a thermoplastic resin and 55 to 75% by weight of fibers of a natural plant to thereby form a paper layer, heating, during or after drying, the paper layer at a temperature not lower than a softening point of the thermoplastic resin fibers to thereby obtain a paper sheet in which the fibers of the thermoplastic resin retain fiber shape and are entangled with the fibers of the natural plant, inscribing a statement to be kept confidential on the paper sheet, superposing the paper sheet to conceal the statement and attaching provisionally the superposed paper sheet by heating under pressure at a temperature not lower than a softening point of the thermoplastic resin fibers to obtain the confidential postcard. The confidential postcard is capable of being peeled off with the statement on the paper sheet being left intact.

Abstract: A stabilized synthetic polyolefin pulp-cellulose blend is prepared by adding 0.1-1.0% by weight of an antioxidant (a hindered phenolic and/or phosphite antioxidant) to a solution of a polyolefin and solvent wherein the antioxidant is homogenously dispersed therein, forming the polyolefin into a polyolefin pulp, and then mixing the polyolefin pulp with from about 55 to about 90% by weight of a wood pulp to produce the blend. This blend with improved higher ignition temperature is used in the absorbent products industry as an absorbent core, when the blend is heated sufficiently to melt the polyolefin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing high grade synthetic paper containing at least 97 wt. % polyethylene on conventional continuous wet-lay paper-making equipment. In particular, the process comprises preparing a pulp furnish of 97-99.5 wt. % oriented polyethylene fibers and 0.5-3.0 wt. % polyvinyl alcohol fibers and depositing the fibers on the forming screen of a conventional wet-lay paper machine. The resulting waterleaf sheet is then dried on heated PTFE-coated drying cans, using a particular drying profile to reduce sticking and elongation, and then thermally bonded to provide a polyethylene paper having high strength, low defects and excellent uniformity. A process for producing the pulp fibers used in the paper-making process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing controlled .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.electrical resistivity carbon fiber sheet products employing a carbonizable starting material, heating and drawing the starting material (if required), .Iadd.stabilizing and .Iaddend.oxidizing the starting material .Iadd.if required .Iaddend.at an elevated temperature of the order of 220 degrees Centigrade to effect molecular aromatic rearrangement of the starting material, .Iadd.partially .Iaddend.carbonizing the oxidized starting material at .[.an.]. elevated temperature .Iadd.values .Iaddend.in an oxygen free atmosphere within a furnace having an elevated temperature extending over a temperature range .Iadd.from about 370 degrees Centigrade .Iaddend. to about 1400 degrees Centigrade .[.by soaking the.]..Iadd.. The .Iaddend.starting material .Iadd.is soaked .Iaddend.at an elevated temperature for a predetermined period of time to provide a .Iadd.known .Iaddend.preselected .Iadd.surface .Iaddend.electrical resistivity to the .Iadd.partially .