Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel dispersing agent capable of uniformly dispersing a variety of carbon-based materials in different media including aqueous solvents and a preparation method thereof, and a carbon-based material-dispersed composition including the same. The dispersing agent is a mixture of a plurality of polyaromatic hydrocarbon oxides, and the mixture includes polyaromatic hydrocarbon oxide having a molecular weight of 300 to 1000 in an amount of 60% by weight or more.

Abstract: An expanding insert (4) for rail spikes is bent from a bar material and has two first and second limbs (40, 41) which are connected to one another via a first bend (43) and extend at least approximately parallel to one another, and a third limb (42) connected via a second bend (44) to the second limb (41). The first limb (40) and the second limb (41) are located in a common first plane (E1) and the third limb is located in a second plane (E2) which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for restoring at least one means defining a railroad spike hole located in a used railroad tie. In this way, the restored railroad tie can be reused in subsequent rail replacement operations. The restored railroad tie is capable of having a railroad spike penetrate and be retained within the confines of the restored railroad spike hole without substantial bending problems. The used railroad tie provided has at least one spike hole located therein. In each the means defining a railroad spike hole is formed a polymeric plug. The polymeric plug comprises a polymeric plug formed of a polymeric material including a plurality of flexible, readily deformable micro-inclusions which allow the formation of spike insertion pathways that track the insertion forces of the railroad spike as it is driven into a material thereby facilitating introduction of the railroad spike into said polymeric plug.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for restoring at least one means defining a railroad spike hole located in a used railroad tie. In this way, the restored railroad tie can be reused in subsequent rail replacement operations. The restored railroad tie is capable of having a railroad spike penetrate and be retained within the confines of the restored railroad spike hole without substantial bending problems. The used railroad tie provided has at least one spike hole located therein. In each the means defining a railroad spike hole is formed a polymeric plug. The polymeric plug comprises a substantially non-foaming, non-cellular polymeric material. The polymeric material preferably comprises a polyurethane. The polymeric plug infiltrates and tightly bonds with the railroad spike hole to prevent moisture infiltration. Thus, substantial tie rot due to moisture is impeded, and the leaky railroad spike hole is effectively and efficiently dammed to enable complete filling thereof.

Abstract: A system for elastically fastening rails mounted on underlying cross ties. The foot of the rail is clamped by elastically fastening metallic rail spikes anchored in the cross tie. The rail spikes have a shaft portion and a head portion eccentrically arranged thereon, as well as a plastic element arranged in an electrically insulating manner. This fastening system also has a component linkable to the spike for impressing a permanent bending moment on the shaft portion in all stress phases and for permanently clamping the rail spike. This type of fastening system is suitable both for wooden and concrete cross ties. This system may also include a dowel to anchor the rail spike within the cross tie. This invention also impresses a permanent bending stress on the shaft of the rail foot, so that the rail spike extraction forces can be set at a higher level than is normally obtained.

Abstract: A railroad crosstie plug is positioned within an existing spike hole in a crosstie to restore a predetermined gage between parallel railroad rails. The plug comprises a hollow sleeve having a slot along one side thereof and an interior configuration complimentary to the configuration of the spike. A member separate from the sleeve is pivotally mounted at one end to a lower edge of the slot. The member also defines an impact surface extending across a portion of the interior of the sleeve. When a spike is forced into the sleeve against the impact surface, a second end of the member pivots out of the sleeve and into the surrounding wood of the railroad tie there by locking the sleeve and spike in place within the hole.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polyurethane compositions can be used to repair or fill-in surface defects in structural components. The hydrophobic composition can be packaged in two parts, a hydrophobic polyol part and a isocyanate part wherein the polyol part comprises a polyol and a coal tar or pitch composition and the isocyanate part comprises a reactive isocyanate compound. The parts of the composition can be mixed and applied to surface defects of structural members such as railroad ties and can rapidly form a hard, permanent, strongly bonded repair.

Abstract: A method of re-using wooden railroad ties in which the old spike holes are filled with a high density rigid polyurethane foam injected into the holes. The foam serves as a plug which prevents or retards deterioration of the tie at the hole site primarily by preventing or mitigating ingress of moisture. Additionally, the foam serves to anchor a new spike if by chance the same hole location is used when re-spiking the tie. The foam has good retention properties even if the spike is driven in before the foam has fully set.

Abstract: A railroad tie spike hole plugging material and method of using the same. The material includes a substantially uniform mixture of about 25-75% by volume of a granular abrasive material having a grit size in the range of about 20-100 grit and abrasive to railroad spikes, and about 25-75% by volume of a granular plastic material having a grit size of about 100 grit or less and a plastic temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-350.degree. F. The material is poured into a hole in a tie and when a spike is driven into the hole, the friction between the abrasive material and the spike generates sufficient heat to plasticize the plastic material. Upon cooling, the material firmly grasps the spike.

Abstract: A wooden structure incapable of holding a fastening device is restored by boring a hole of a desired size into the structure, cleaning the hole, and introducing a cellular plastic insert of a suitable size, so that the insert can hold a fastening device driven thereinto. The method is particularly useful for restoring a "spike-killed" railroad crosstie; the insert is composed of cellular high density polyethylene having average bulk density from about 15 to 50 pounds per cubic foot.