Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are molded to fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the mold and allowed to harden to gain strength. The articles may have properties substantially similar to articles presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. They have especial utility in the mass production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing milled graphite fibers in which the amount of metallic components contained in the milled carbon fibers before graphitizing is limited to not more than 100/1,000,000 in terms of a ratio by weight. Also disclosed is a process for preparing milled graphite fibers in which the amount of metallic components contained in the milled carbon fibers before graphitizing except metallic components originally contained in the fibers themselves is limited to not more than 50/1,000,000 in terms of a ratio by weight. According to these processes, there can be obtained milled graphite fibers whose surfaces are inert, which suffer few longitudinal crackings and which are almost free from occurrence of particulate substances comprising agglomerated or bonded fibers.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: Methods and systems for readily and economically manufacturing hydraulically settable articles, particularly containers, from microstructurally engineered hydraulically settable mixtures. The mixture is pressed between a male die of a desired shape and a female die having a substantially complimentary configuration of the male die shape to immediately fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. To assist in imparting form stability, the dies can be heated or cooled. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the dies and dried under heated air to gain strength. The article can then receive printing or a coating, if desired, prior to packaging, shipping, and use.

Abstract: A method for reducing curl in a stored photographic film which aids in preventing serious difficulties with downstream film transport and handling of the film. The film, which has been stored as a roll wound on a first core or mandrel is unwound from the first core and wound onto a second core or mandrel in a first direction. The film is then unwound from the second core to yield a traveling web portion. The traveling web portion is preheated to a predetermined temperature while being continuously delivered to a housing. The film is wound onto a third core or mandrel located within the housing in a direction opposite the first direction where it is maintained at about the same predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and method for in-situ green sheet slitting. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus and method that uses a modified green sheet slitting machine so that it can provide an in-situ slitting of green sheets that result in a plurality of separate green sheets rolls or strips.

Abstract: In-situ formation of glass-ceramic composites by the Self-propagating High temperature Synthesis (SHS) technique. The reagents used are: TiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O, Al, Ti, B and MO where MO represents BaO, MgO, CaO and other similar oxides. BaCO.sub.3 may be substituted for BaO. The composition of the reaction products can be adjusted by adjusting the ratios of the reagents. All reagents are in powder form and the reaction can be carried out either in inert atmosphere inside a reaction chamber or in air without a chamber. The materials produced have crystalline TiB.sub.2 particles in a glassy matrix (aluminoborate glass). The TiB.sub.2 particles have a size of about 0.5 .mu.m. Advantages include processing simplicity and cost savings. The glass-ceramic composites produced are electrically conductive and find application where high strength, hardness and electrical conductivity are required.

Abstract: A method of preparing a low crystallinity calcium phosphate apatite is described in which a low crystallinity calcium phosphate is precipitated from an aqueous solution comprising calcium and phosphate ions; collected from the solution; and dehydrated in a humidity and at a temperature selected to minimize growth and promote conversion to calcium phosphate apatite. The resultant calcium phosphate apatite is block solid of improved strength, porosity and bioresorbability.

Abstract: A process for making a superconducting, Pb-doped, 2:2:2:3 BiSrCaCuO thin film includes heating deposited thin film material at between 1083K and 1103K for no more than 20 minutes in oxygen with a flow rate of 500 sccm, followed by quenching the material in air to room temperature, heating the material in air between 1103K and 1143K for no more than 40 minutes and finally quenching the material in air to room temperature.

Abstract: A tight, sterile connection between flexible tubing and a connector on a medical device is produced by pre-assembling the tubing and the connector, heat-shrinking the tubing onto the connector, and then sterilizing the connection while maintaining compression of the tubing against the connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a splittable conjugate fiber containing at least two incompatible polymers that are arranged in distinct segments across the cross-section of the fiber, wherein the segments are continuous along the length of the fiber. The fiber can be characterized in that the segments of the fiber dissociate in less than about 30 seconds when contacted with a hot aqueous fibrillation-inducing medium. The invention also provides a fabric containing the split fibers produced from the precursor splittable conjugate fiber and laminates containing the split fiber fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the split fibers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polybenzazole filaments which comprises (a) extruding a solution of polybenzazole polymer in a mineral acid through a spinneret having at least 100 holes, which are arranged to form a annular pattern around the center of the spinneret, the center and at least two radial sections of the spinneret having no holes and an average width which is at least about 3 times the minimum pitch of the holes, thereby forming filaments of the polymer solution; (b) drawing the filaments of the polymer solution through a quench chamber while providing a substantially radial gas flow therein across the spinneret from at least two different directions; and (c) washing and drying the filaments of the polymer solution under conditions sufficient to form polybenzazole filaments.

Abstract: A process for eliminating post-molding fabric curl and distortion in molded fabrics and fabrics produced thereby. The molded fabrics are laminates including a non-woven fabric face and a binder layer and/or sheet backing. Post-molding curling and distortion can be eliminated by maintaining heat on the face fabric until the backing has been cooled enough to be rigid.

Abstract: A gasket for use in sealing sanitary piping comprises an annular plate of porous polytetrafluoroethylene, the inner surface layer of the gasket being heat treated to form a pore-free fused solidified layer for directly contacting a fluid to be sealed. The fused solidified layer prevents osmotic leakage of sealed fluid. Since the solidified layer is formed only in the surface layer the intrinsic properties of porous polytetrafluoroethylene, such as flexibility and affinity, are retained. The gasket is made by inserting a tubular member with an internal heater into a porous polytetrafluoroethylene gasket so that the tubular member directly contacts the inner surface layer of the gasket. The tubular member is operated at a temperature of 420.degree. to 460.degree. C. and contacts a gasket for 10 to 30 seconds to form the fused and pore-free layer.

Abstract: This manufacturing method of a powder injection molded part includes the steps of using a binder composition containing at least 2 kinds of thermoplastic binder components having an evaporation temperature higher than the injection molding temperature and a different evaporation initiating temperature from each other, elevating the temperature of a molded body above the evaporation initiating temperature of the binder component having the lowest evaporation initiating temperature rapidly, removing the binder component having the lowest evaporation initiating temperature from the molded body by holding this temperature, and thereafter, removing all binder components by elevating up to a temperature not lower than the evaporation initiating temperature of the binder component having the highest evaporation initiating temperature. By this method, the form unstability of final parts, which is a problem of the prior art, is resolved, dimensional accuracy is satisfied, and it is possible to shorten debinding times.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymeric material having enhanced structural integrity includes heating the material to a temperature between the material's glass transition temperature and the material's melt temperature. Once heated, the material is highly overstretched in a first direction and moderately overstretched in a second direction. The material is then held in the overstretched condition while it is allowed to cool to room temperature. Cooling is followed by reheating to a curing temperature. After curing for a predetermined period, the material is again allowed to cool. The completed material has high polymeric orientation in the first direction and moderate polymeric orientation in the second direction. Therefore, the material is characterized by enhanced structural integrity and absence of pinhole defects common to highly oriented polymeric materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a co-molding process for producing co-molded, chemical bonded, canned refractory articles which eliminates the costly and problematic firing or sintering steps and which eliminates the time consuming separate canning and sizing of the refractory articles as required by conventional methods. The co-molding process of the present invention comprises the steps of:(a) mixing a refractory aggregate with a chemical binder to form a pressable refractory composition;(b) placing a metal can into a press cavity die;(c) charging said refractory composition into said metal can and press cavity die;(d) subjecting said refractory composition to high pressures while in said press cavity die to shape and size said refractory article; and(e) drying said refractory article at temperatures sufficient to cure said chemical binder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and mixture for use in forming strong light-weight aggregate and includes by weight about; 68% to 95% fly-ash, 2% to 10% hydrated lime, and 3% to 12% alkali hydroxide such as Sodium Hydroxide. While many types of fly-ash may be used, Type F or Type C fly-ash are preferred. The admix is mixed with water to form a slurry including water in a range of 10% to 25% by weight of the dry mixture and the slurry is then compacted. The compacted slurry is then cured such as by using a rotary kiln or by in situ open air curing. The cured slurry is then allowed to hydrolyzed to form a hard material which then may be crushed and optionally screened to form an aggregate having a particular size or range of sizes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel ceramic mass or material and the use of same in the building materials industry for manufacturing bricks, ceramic stones, roofing tiles, large block and the like. A formable ceramic mass is prepared by mixing clay, a filler such as sand, calcium hydroxide, which can be in the form of slaked lime, and an aqueous solution of solidification activating agent. The formable mass is then shaped, e.g. by plastic moulding into uncured building elements which are in turn subjected to heat treatment, including a preliminary drying, a thermal treatment in a saturated vapour atmosphere, and a subsequent further heating and drying with a gradual lowering of moisture content. The preliminary drying is carried out at a temperature of 60.degree.-70.degree. C. to reduce the moisture content to 12-14%. The thermal treatment is performed at a temperature of 95.degree.-100.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the production of heat-treated carbon bodies in open-pit, ring furnaces. In the improved process green carbon bodies are packed with a carbonaceous particulate packing material containing as a constituent green petroleum coke in a blend with calcined and/or recycled petroleum coke particles. Utilization of green petroleum coke, used primarily to replenish oxidized packing material in the ring furnace, results in significant energy and process cost savings. In the event the green petroleum coke is green delayed petroleum coke, the balance of the packing material is selected from calcined delayed petroleum coke, recycled packing material containing heat-treated delayed petroleum coke and/or mixtures of these; if the green petroleum coke used in the blend is green fluid petroleum coke, then the balance of the packing material is heat-treated calcined fluid coke. Low grade green delayed petroleum coke is allowed to be used in the packing material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the semi-continuous production of microcellular foam articles. In a preferred embodiment, a roll of polymer sheet is provided with a gas channelling means interleaved between the layers of polymer. The roll is exposed to a non-reacting gas at elevated pressure for a period of time sufficient to achieve a desired concentration of gas within the polymer. The saturated polymer sheet is then separated from the gas channelling means and bubble nucleation and growth is initiated by heating the polymer sheet. After foaming, bubble nucleation and growth is quenched by cooling the foamed polymer sheet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for readily and economically manufacturing hydraulically settable articles, particularly containers, from microstructurally engineered hydraulically settable mixtures. The mixture is pressed between a male die of a desired shape and a female die having a substantially complimentary configuration of the male die shape to immediately fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. To assist in imparting form stability, the dies can be heated or cooled. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the dies and dried under heated air to gain strength. The article can then receive printing or a coating, if desired, prior to packaging, shipping, and use.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium produced by treating a magnetic recording medium which comprises a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic layer formed on said substrate in an atmosphere kept at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C., with applying a tension of 1 gf. or less per 10 mm width to said magnetic recording medium in a treating time which is in a range on or above a line having a slope of at least 5000 in terms of .DELTA.ln(L)/.DELTA.(1/T) and passing a point of 0.5 second at 100.degree. C., when ln(L) is Arrhenius plotted against an inverse of an absolute temperature T (1/T), which medium has suppressed change of magnetic properties with time and improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method for producing a bladder includes shaping a mass of crude rubber containing an oil component into a specified bladder shape by a mold; vulcanizing the shaped bladder in the mold; removing the vulcanized bladder from the mold; placing the vulcanized bladder in an environment having a high temperature to keep the vulcanized bladder in the high temperature for a specified time to remove the oil component from the vulcanized bladder; and coating an outer surface of the oil component-removed bladder with a separating agent layer.

Abstract: Uncured molded abrasive articles having low volatile organic chemical content are prepared using water as a temporary binder. The abrasive articles preferably contain a uniformly coated abrasive grain comprising a novolac resin having a phenol:formaldehyde ratio of 1:0.2 to 1:0.35 and containing less than 0.5% free phenol.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bobbin made essentially or partially of a curable resin comprises the steps of: a) providing a mold consisting of a male portion and of a female portion, the gap left between the said female and the male portions, in their operational mounted position, being of the shape and dimensions of the bobbin which it is desired to produce, the mold being provided with a resin inlet and vacuum port in communication with the gap; (b) laying on the surface of the male part of the mold, or winding thereon, any element or material which it is desired to embed within the resin; c) inserting the male part of the mold into the female part thereof and securely connecting the two parts, the two parts, when connected, being essentially sealed against pressure loss along their contact surfaces; d) causing a curable resin to flow into the gap through the resin inlet, while applying a vacuum at the vacuum port, until the empty space provided within the gap is substantially entirely filled with resin; e)

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for heat treatment of a photographic polyester film support, comprising steps of winding a biaxially oriented polyester film into a roll so that the thickness of a gas layer lying between the film layers continually becomes 1.5 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m, and then subjecting the roll of the polyester film to heat treatment at a temperature between 50.degree. C. and the glass transition temperature of the polyester. According to the above process, a photographic polyester film support, which is excellent in flatness of the film and does not cause unevenness of coating, can be provided.

Abstract: Asymmetric TPX porous membranes for gas separation are prepared by wet, and dry/wet phase inversion methods. A casting polymer solution including TPX, a selected solvent and optionally a selected non-solvent, is casted on a support, and within 100 seconds after the casting step, the casted polymer is immersed in a coagulant to form a membrane. The formed membrane is extracted, dried and optionally heat treated.

Abstract: A process for forming elements for use in high temperature environments includes the following steps. The process mixes metal and/or metal compounds with orthophosphoric acid and adds a filler to form a moldable material. The moldable material is dried at a temperature less than about 100 degrees to form a stable unitary mass and thereafter the temperature is increased to its "false melt" temperature. Pressure is then subjected on the element while maintaining the element at its false melt temperature for densifying the element to a preselected porosity and deforming the element to preselected final dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to flexible cellulose fibers with a reduced modulus and a decreased NMR degree of order, particularly for use in the textile field, which are obtained by pressing out solutions of the cellulose in hydrous NMMNO through spinning nozzles along an air travel into an NMMNO-containing aqueous and/or alcoholic precipitation bath as well as by a conventional rinsing, aftertreatment and drying, with strengths of between 15 and 50 cN/tex, and to a process for their production. According to the invention, these flexible cellulose fibers have an initial modulus of less than 1,500 cN/tex, and the relationship of the heights of the lines at 88 ppm and 85 ppm above the spectrum base line in the highly resolved .sup.13 C-NMR solid-body spectrum is .ltoreq.1.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymers of poly(p-dioxanone having an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. This invention also describes improved surgical devices and filaments made from poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C. Additionally, disclosed are processes for manufacturing poly(p-dioxanone) with an inherent viscosity in the range of from 2.3 dL/g to about 8 dL/g, as determined at a concentration of 0.1 g/dL in hexafluoroisopropanol at 25.degree. C., as well as, processes for molding surgical articles and extruding surgical filaments from these polymers.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon nitride ceramic component, comprising: grinding a silicon nitride sintered body comprising .alpha.--Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 having an average grain size of 0.5 .mu.m or smaller and .beta.'-sialon having an average grain size of 3 .mu.m or smaller in major axis and 1 .mu.m or smaller in minor axis into a predetermined size with a surface roughness of 1-7 .mu.m in ten-point mean roughness; heat treating the same at temperature range of 800.degree.-1200.degree. C. in the air; and standing it to allow to be cooled, whereby providing a residual stress in the ground surface before and after the heat treating as a residual compressive stress at a ratio of 1 or higher of the residual compressive stress after the heat treating to that before the heat treating (residual compressive stress after the heat treating/residual compressive stress before the heat treating), preferably 5 or more.

Abstract: A polyester support prepared by the step of subjecting a polyester film to bulk rolling and heating the bulk rolled polyester film to a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to the glass transition point of said polyester film, or subjecting a polyester film to bulk rolling at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to the glass transition point of said polyester film, resulting in the polyester support, wherein the glass transition point of said polyester film is 90.degree. to 200.degree. C., and wherein the step of bulk rolling has a start tension of 3 to 75 kg/m per unit width of the polyester film and an end tension of 3 to 75 kg/m per unit width of the polyester film.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a rolled polyester support at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature (Tg) is disclosed, wherein the polyester film is wound around a core to have a difference in roll diameter of 10% or less and then heat treated to render the film surface smooth. Further disclosed are a photographic polyester support which is subjected to heat treatment according to the above-described method, a silver halide photographic material which uses the above-described polyester support and a polyester support having a creak value of from 10 to 600 g.

Abstract: A process for preparing calcium silicate articles having a bulk density of 0.3 to 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 including the steps of mixing a major portion of calcium silicate and minor portions of anhydrous calcium aluminosilicate or its analogue, a reinforcing fiber and a polymer binder in water to give an aqueous slurry, molding the slurry into a desired for, and drying the molded slurry at 100.degree.-180.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber or film of regenerated cellulose from a composition having a base of cellulose formate is provided. The composition is characterized by the following: (1) the composition is a solution; (2) the concentration of cellulose formate in the composition is at least 8% by weight; (3) the degree of substitution of the cellulose by formate groups is greater than 20% and (4) the composition contains one or more compounds selected from among alkylsulfoxides, lactams, acrylic amides and cyclic derivatives of urea as a solvent. The process for producing the fiber or film involves (i) transforming the composition into a liquid extrudate having the form of a fiber or film at a temperature at which the solution is isotropic at rest; (ii) coagulating the liquid extrudate; (iii) regenerating the cellulose of the fiber or film obtained and (iv) washing and drying the regenerated cellulose fiber or film.

Abstract: Multi-step methods of making a non-skinned isotropic microfiltration membrane, the common steps of which include heating a PVDF-type casting dope above its cloudpoint, forming a film, and immersing the film in a gelation bath.

Abstract: Solvent based film is produced in an endless belt casting apparatus (10) in which, within initial compartments (46-52), flows of gas are directed through transversely elongated inlet channels (85.sub.i) to contact a layer (36') of polymer and solvent supported by an endless belt (26) and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn from the vicinity of the layer by transversely elongated gas plenums (68); within subsequent compartments (54-62), flows of gas are directed through elongated inlet plenums (74) to contact the layer and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn through transversely elongated exhaust channels (85.sub.o); within all compartments along upper and lower spans of the belt, flows of gas are directed at the inner side (30) of the belt from transversely elongated gas plenums (70) and flows of gas are withdrawn though outlets (72); and within initial compartments (46-52), flows of cooling gas are directed at the edges of the inner side of the belt from cooling nozzles (146,148).

Abstract: A process for producing shaped bodies having thermally insulating properties and based on foamed alkali metal silicate particles includes silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) and alkali metal oxide (M.sub.2 O) (M is an alkali metal) in a molar ratio of from 2 to 4.5 (SiO.sub.2 :M.sub.2 O), and includes mixing 100 parts by weight of the foamed alkali metal silicate particles with an aqueous solution of monoaluminum phosphate (Al(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.3) in such a way that the molar ratio Si:Al in the mixture ranges from 1 to 60, placing the mixture in a preselected mold and compacting the mixture to from 20% to 80% of the original volume to give a shaped body and heating the shaped body to a temperature of from 100.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. until a chemical reaction bond between the alkali metal silicate particles and the monoaluminum phosphate has taken place. The shaped bodies so produced can be used as thermal and sound insulation material.

Abstract: An activated carbon body and method for making the body which involves forming a wet mixture of in percent by weight based on activated carbon, about 2% to 10% organic binder which can be cellulose ethers, and/or their derivatives, 0 to about 4% of polyvinyl alcohol, about 5% to 40% bentonite clay, about 10% to 50% silicone resin, vehicle having a boiling point of at least about 100.degree. C., and the balance of the mixture being activated carbon particles. The mixture is formed into a green body which is then dried and heat-treated.

Abstract: A method for making a dried crack-free body involves forming a wet mixture of powder which can be ceramic, glass-ceramic, glass, molecular sieve, activated carbon, and combinations thereof, plasticizing organic binder which can be cellulose ethers, and/or their derivatives, and vehicle of water and at least one of the additional components of oleic acid, linoleic acid, linotenic acid, ricinoleic acid, or their derivatives, the vehicle content being at least about 35% by weight based on the powder content. The mixture is formed into a green body and dried. If the powder is conducting, the drying is done by a controlled humidity drying procedure which involves i) heating the green body at a temperature of about 35.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. at a relative humidity of about 90% to 95% for a time of about 1 to 7 hours, and thereafter ii) heating the green body at a temperature at about 88.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. at a relative humidity at about 90% to 95% for about 1 to 7 hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making novel catalysts, catalyst supports, and adsorbers comprising synthetic hydrotalcite-like binders, having a sheet-like morphology and a sheet broadness to thickness ratio of at least 50 and a formula Mg.sub.1-x Al.sub.x (OH).sub.2.xA.sup.-. mH.sub.2 O where A.sup.- is a mono carboxylic anion of the form RCOO.sup.- where R is C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 and n=0-5, and x and m are numbers satisfying the following conditions:0.2<=x<=0.40.0<=m<=4This hydrotalcite-like material is combined with an inorganic material to form shapes which have good mechanical strength. The process includes starting with a synthesis mixture having magnesium (divalent cation) to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 1:1 and 10:1, mono carboxylic anion to aluminum (trivalent cation) molar ratio between 0.1:1 to 1.2:1 and optionally added other anions.

Abstract: A process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is then applied to the crucible in order to bring the glass-ceramic material to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic material being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the working range the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing. Once the glass-ceramic material is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contact with a mold having a preformed cavity therein, the cavity being in the shape of the desired dental restoration.

Abstract: Polyester filaments of high shrinkage and high shrinkage tension may be prepared by heat treatment of undrawn crystalline filaments of low shrinkage and shrinkage tension, and may be used for making polyester yarns of mixed shrinkage and bulky polyester yarns and fabrics therefrom.

Abstract: A filtering medium which is unchanged in the maximum pore size even when heating sterilization, high temperature filtration, etc. are carried out, yet has a high tensile strength, can be processed into pleat-form and also is applied to high precision filtration, is provided, which filtering medium is a product having a non-woven fabric composed of 20 to 80% by weight of lower melting point microfine fibers and 80 to 20% by weight of higher melting point microfine fibers having a melting point higher by 10.degree. C. or higher than that of the lower melting point microfine fibers, the respective fibers being hot-melt-adhered to one another through the lower melting point microfine fibers, hot-melt-adhered to a hot-melt-adhesive net, and having a maximum pore size of 120 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method of charging a nonwoven web of thermoplastic microfibers to provide electret filter media is provided. The method includes impinging on a nonwoven web of thermoplastic nonconductive microfibers capable of having a high quantity of trapped charge jets of water or a stream of water droplets at a pressure sufficient to provide the web with filtration enhancing electret charge and drying said web.

Abstract: Process for the production of concrete tiles by cutting a block of concrete mixture, characterized in that the block of mixture is subjected to a preliminary curing at room temperature for a duration of at least 24 hours or to a low-pressure steam treatment at a temperature <100.degree. C. until the compression strength reaches a value of at least 20 MPa, and to a second treatment with steam in an autoclave. The cement tiles thus obtained may be bonded to the floor using a normal setting layer of cement mortar, without giving rise to any problems of detachment.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst element including fixing a ceramic sheet to a jig or mold having a predetermined configuration, and thereafter, impregnating the ceramic sheet with a catalyst solution, drying and calcining to allow a catalyst element to retain the predetermined configuration or the catalyst element to be fixed in the mold. The catalyst element may be produced by fixing the ceramic sheet to a metallic thin plate, followed by processing into a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A method for closing holes in a ceramic substrate may include the steps of filling the holes with a paste including a ceramic filler material and an alumina powder suspended in an organic carrier; firing the substrate at a temperature sufficient to burn off the organic carrier, but lower than the melting temperature of the ceramic sealing material; maintaining the substrate at the burn-off temperature for a time period sufficient to burn off substantially all of the organic carrier; raising the temperature of the ceramic substrate to a sealing temperature sufficient to melt the ceramic sealing material, but lower than the melting temperature of the ceramic stabilizing material; maintaining the ceramic substrate at the sealing temperature for a time period sufficient to allow the molten ceramic sealing material to fill interstices in the hole; and cooling the substrate.

Abstract: A woven synthetic fabric tubular vascular graft including, a stiffening component in the filling yarn is self supporting without crimping the walls of the graft. The graft is woven from warp ends of multifilament polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns in the warp and a filling yarn which includes multifilament and monofilament polyester yarns which have been twisted together. Longitudinal and radial compliance provide for improved kink resistance making the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has an outer velour surface and a smooth inner surface.