Abstract: A wraparound recoverable article comprises longitudinally opposed edge regions which can be brought together to close the article. On recovery of the article a configurational change of or adjacent the closure member can be seen. This can be used as a temperature indicator to show that recovery is complete. Preferably the configurational change is a rotation of the material at the edge regions which results in a white line extending along the length of the closure, and which is not visible before recovery, becoming visible.

Abstract: Hand grips for applying to motorcycles, bicycles, tools, golf clubs, fishing rods, guns, crutches and the like can be custom molded to fit exactly to the contours of the user's hand. The grip is put in place and then heated with a hair dryer. The user grasps the hot grip and then releases it. The hot grip conforms or molds to the shape of the user's hand and retains that conformation upon cooling. The grip may incorporate special surface properties for comfort and adhesive and resilient inner layers for enhanced function.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for assuring consistent and, if desired, increased melt flow rate in a vinyl aromatic based polymer by controlling the degree of absorption of carbon dioxide, oxygen and/or argon for a substantial period of time immediately prior to introduction of the polymer into a molding machine.

Abstract: Lightweight aggregate for use in the building industry is produced by pelletizing or granulating pulverized fuel ash or other siliceous material with a binder comprising lime in an amount less than 5% by weight based on the weight of the mixture of lime and siliceous material and curing the pellets or granules at a temperature within the range of from 35.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. in an atmosphere saturated with water vapor. The amount of lime added as binder is preferably within the range of from 1 to 4.5% by weight and curing temperature is preferably within the range of from 50.degree. to 85.degree. C. Preferably the pelletizing process is also carried out at an elevated temperature within the range of from 35.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: High strength, substantially linear, highly crystalline, high molecular weight-polyolefin shaped structure having a tenacity of greater than 15 g/den and an initial modulus of greater than 500 g/den by drawing never-processed polyolefin at a temperature of 60.degree. C. to 145.degree. C.; and processes for making never-processed polyolefin and such shaped structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to highly filterable polyvinyl polypyrrolidone particles and to the process for improving filterability of standard polyvinyl polypyrrolidone granules, wet cakes and slurries which comprises heating granular polyvinyl polypyrrolidone, containing a minor amount of non-crosslinked and/or unsaturated sites while maintaining between 1 wt. % and 20 wt. % moisture at a temperature of between about 50.degree. C. and about 250.degree. C. under a pressure of from about 5 psig. to about 200 psig. and collecting product having an average particle size distribution between about 40 and 400 mesh, a non-volatile water solubles (NVWS) content less than 2% and a filter flow rate greater than 95.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein a polymer blend of a poly(butylene terephthalate) and about 5 to 25% by weight of poly(ethylene terephthalate) is melt spun to form a fiber or yarn which is then drawn at an elevated temperature resulting in the poly(butylene terephthalate) having a stable beta crystal form in relaxed condition. The fiber or yarn may then be subjected to a heat relaxation treatment which changes the crystal form of the poly(butylene terephthalate) from the beta to the alpha form resulting in some shrinkage of the fiber or yarn and causing it to have a greater degree of stretchability.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material on a cylindrical mandrel, solidifying the fluid coating to form a uniform solid coating and separating the uniform solid coating from the mandrel. The process may comprise forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material around a cylindrical mandrel, the mandrel having a larger mass or lower thermal conductivity than the polymeric film forming material and a critical surface tension greater than the surface tension of the fluid coating, solidifying the fluid coating to form at least one thin substantially uniform solid coating comprising the polymeric film forming material around the cylindrical mandrel, heating both the uniform solid coating and the mandrel to a temperature at least above the apparent T.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing a cholesteric liquid crystal polyester film or sheet possessing an ordered planar texture (monodomain structure), which process comprises providing a cholesteric liquid crystal polyester in which 1 to 10 mol % of constituent monomer units are optically active, allowing the cholesteric liquid crystal polyester to be formed in the temperature range of 150.degree. to 350.degree. into a film or sheet having a thickness not larger than 100 .mu.m, and then cooling the film or sheet rapidly.

Abstract: Application of hydrophobic silica to an anisotropic-melt forming polyester yarn reduces interfilament and intrafilament fusion during heat-strengthening. Improvements in adhesion of yarn to certain matrices are noted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive tape based on a co-extruded, three-layer polypropylene base film which has been biaxially stretch-oriented in at least three stages and has been subjected on at least one side to corona treatment. The base film comprises a base layer and two covering layers. The base layer comprises polypropylene. The covering layer adjacent the adhesive layer includes polypropylene modified with a natural or synthetic resin having a softening point of about 70.degree. to 170.degree. C., and the other covering layer includes polypropylene modified with a diorganopolysiloxane. The new adhesive tape possesses high values of mechanical properties. The tape has good printability, and it does not contain an adhesion-promoting layer for the adhesive, nor a separating layer (release coat), since such layers are not required. The tape can also be processed without appreciable draw-off noises.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of inscribing or imprinting a symbol or message on a substantially flat surface of a block of plastic while the same is at an elevated temperature by the application of pressure to said surface. The plastic block is then cooled to approximately room temperature and all visible evidence of the inscription is "erased" by physically removing, as by grinding, the superficial layer of material which bears the visible inscription. The inscription is made to reappear on the surface of the remaining block of plastic by heating the same to approximately the elevated temperature at which the inscription was made until the symbol or message reappears.

Abstract: PTFE is bonded directly to PTFE, and PTFE and related fluoropolymers are surface configured or molded, employing the differential expansion of the fluoropolymer to a confinement vessel or mold, and heating the same to fusion temperature and then cooling, creating a uniformly applied pressure on the polymer, followed by cooling while maintaining the pressure, at least during the initial cooling stages.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photographic reflecting support wherein chips and/or resin scraps of a thermoplastic resin are heat-treated in a vacuum and fed into an extruder to be melted and then extruded in the form of a sheet out of the die of the extruder. The resulting sheet is then cooled and solidified on a cooled casting drum and stretched 6 to 16 times in terms of area, lengthwise and then widthwise or vice versa, or biaxially at the same time, at a temperature within the range of from a temperature not lower than the glass transition point of the thermoplastic resin to a temperature not higher than 150.degree. C. The stretched sheet is then thermoset at a temperature within the range of from a temperature not lower than 170.degree. C. to a temperature of the melting point of the thermoplastic resin and the resulting photographic reflecting support is made from 40 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m in thickness and not higher than 20% in visible-wave-length range transmittance.

Abstract: Polyimide film prepared from a precursor solutions of polyamic acid in a solvent can be dried during or following the thermal or chemical conversion step, which produces a polyimide, by adding to the solution a small amount of an alkyl ester of phthalic, terephthalic, or isophthalic acid, casting the solution on a flat surface and heating the solution on the flat surface at about 100.degree.-200.degree. C.; then, removing the resulting partially converted film from the flat surface and heating it, under restraint, to about 200.degree.-375.degree. C., to bring about complete conversion and remove virtually all of the solvent. Polyimide films are useful in various applications where high temperature resistance is required, including composites for aerospace applications and for circuit boards for electronic equipment.

Abstract: A process for producing corrosion inhibiting particles comprising binding corrosion inhibiting cations by ion-exchange to particles of silica or alumina, which preferably have a BET surface area of at least 500 m.sup.2 /g, to form cation exchanged particles, the cations of which are releasable by further ion-exchange, the BET surface area of the cation-exchanged particles being reduced, preferably to less than 150 m.sup.2 /g, by subjecting the cation-exchanged particles to a heat treatment which comprises heating the particles at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 120.degree. C. while maintaining the water content of the particles at more than 15% by weight, followed by heating with removal of water to dry the particles. An embodiment of the invention comprises heating a slurry of the cation exchanged particles followed by drying e.g. spray drying.

Abstract: Method for removing protruding reinforcing fibers from the flash area of a deflashed, fiber reinforced plastic article are provided. The method features melting the protruding fibers off of the article without damaging the article itself. The apparatus features an elongated chamber for receiving the articles, means for passing the articles in series through the chamber, means for heating air to a temperature of at least about 800.degree. F. (427.degree. C.), and means for directing the heated air across the articles one at a time while the articles are passing through the chamber.

Abstract: Use of surfactant in coating of yarn from anisotropic melt-forming polyester with alkali metal salts enhances heat-strengthening acceleration effect.

Abstract: An aperture, for example a duct having a cable passing through it, is sealed by installing a laminate, comprising an adhesive layer, a heater layer, and a heat-recoverable foam layer, the thickness of which increases on heating, into the gap between the duct wall and the cable with the adhesive layer facing both the wall and the cable. On energizing the heater, the foam increases in thickness and forces the adhesive into sealing engagement with the wall and cable.

Abstract: Semiconductor chips, which have been diced, can be removed from the conductive adhesive/polymer support film holding them, without leaving residual adhesive on the film if the wafer/adhesive support film laminate is heated prior to the dicing step. The heating step increases the release characteristics between the adhesive and film.

Abstract: A process for immobilizing reactive Whetlerite carbon particles and forming a self-supporting structure of high compressive strength therefrom is described in which the self-supporting structure substantially eliminates the formation of carbon fines while retaining the adsorption characteristics of the carbon particles.

Abstract: A process for solvent casting acrylic films having superior properties by casting a solution comprising an organic solvent and a polymer system of one or more acrylic polymers onto a carrier, removing the solvent thereby forming the film on the carrier, and stripping the film from the carrier, is disclosed.The polymer system comprises at least one polymer having the following properties: Total Elongation (%) of about 120-250; Tear Resistance of about 4.5-12.5 g/mil (which is about 177-492 mg/micron); Tensile Strength of about 4500-5000 lbs/in.sup.2 (about 317-387 kg/cm.sup.2); Molecular Weight (amu) of about 250,000-500,000; Acid Content (%) of about 0.05-5.0; and Tucon hardness (Knoop No.) of about 6-12.The acrylic film has Total Elongation, Tensile Strength, Tear Resistance, Acid Content and Tucon hardness in the aforesaid ranges, and is substantially free of reactive groups, such as hydroxy groups. The residual solvent in the film is (weight %) about 0-3.

Abstract: Damage to the natural tone of acrylic fibres, produced according to a continuous dry spinning process, can be avoided if from 0.025 to 0.2% by weight of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, based on the fibrous solids material, is added to the spinning solution.

Abstract: A process and device utilizing the memory characteristics of cross-linked polymers for temporarily holding and releasing parts or components is presented. In a first step, a polymeric material or part capable of being cross-linked is formed into a first "memory" shape. Thereafter, in a next step, the polymer is cross-linked via irradiation or any other suitable technique to fix or lock the polymer into the first memory shape. Next, the polymer is heated and deformed to a second shape and thereafter cooled to lock in that second shape. During the deformation process, the cross-linked polymer will preferably be deformed about a second component or part so that upon cooling, the second part will be tightly held by the deformed polymer. Thus, the second part or component will be temporarily held for any desired length of time.

Abstract: In a process for producing a formed article of aromatic polyamide-imide resin by compression-molding at the temperature lower than the melting temperature of the resin, the improvement which comprises subjecting the resin, prior to the molding, to heat treatment in an oxygen-containing gas under conditions satisfying the following equationlogt.gtoreq.a.sub.1 +a.sub.2 T+a.sub.3 T.sup.2 +a.sub.4 T.sup.3,wherein a.sub.1 =2.5841, a.sub.2 =-8.4926.times.10.sup.-3, a.sub.3 =6.9984.times.10.sup.-6, and a.sub.4 =-2.0449.times.10.sup.-8 ; t and T represent the heat-treatment time in hour and the heat-treatment temperature in .degree.C., respectively; and 200.degree. C..ltoreq.T.ltoreq.400.degree.C.

Abstract: A process and device utilizing the memory characteristics of cross-linked polymers for temporarily holding and releasing parts or components is presented. In a first step, a polymeric material or part capable of being cross-linked is formed into a first "memory" shape. Thereafter, in a next step, the polymer is cross-linked via irradiation or any other suitable technique to fix or lock the polymer into the first memory shape. Next, the polymer is heated and deformed to a second shape and thereafter cooled to lock in that second shape. During the deformation process, the cross-linked polymer will preferably be deformed about a second component or part so that upon cooling, the second part will be tightly held by the deformed polymer. Thus, the second part or component will be temporarily held for any desired length of time.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire having a high durability is disclosed, which comprises a carcass composed of at least one ply containing polyester fiber cords embedded in rubber. This polyester fiber cord has particular fiber properties and cord properties. Among the cord properties, the elongation under a tension of 2 g/D of the cord after the specific post-cure inflation treatment is not more than 4.5% and the sum of the elongation and heat shrinkage is not more than 8.0%.

Abstract: A solid stick composition, in a container, is moved through a protective tunnel wherein the stick is cooled to effect solidification, remelted to fill any void in the stick, cooled to solidify, and polished, by heating and cooling, with filtered air flowing through the tunnel to remove heat therefrom.

Abstract: A process of making a cut pile, tufted carpet that is non-directional is disclosed. It comprises the steps of:(a) knitting a yarn composed of thermoplastic fiber, e.g., continuous filament polypropylene ribbon, into a deknittable fabric,(b) heating the fabric to a temperature at which the curves and bends generated in the yarn by its knitted configuration are established in the yarn's memory,(c) cooling the fabric to about room temperature,(d) deknitting the cooled fabric and rewinding the yarn under enough tension to restraighten it,(e) tufting the yarn as facing yarn into a primary carpet backing material, forming a cut pile carpet,(f) coating the underside of the carpet with a heat-settable adhesive that, when cured, will help anchor the tufts of yarn in the backing material, and(g) heating the adhesive-coated carpet to a temperature at which the adhesive will set and the facing yarn will reconform to the bends and twists in its memory.

Abstract: A process of making a cut pile, tufted carpet that has the tightly curled appearance of Persian lamb is dislcosed. It comprises the steps of:(a) knitting a synthetic carpet facing yarn, e.g., a continuous filament nylon, into a deknittable fabric,(b) heating the fabric to a temperature at which the curves and bends generated in the yarn by its knitted configuration are established in the yarn's memory,(c) cooling the fabric to about room temperature,(d) deknitting the cooled fabric and rewinding the unravelled yarn under enough tension to restraighten it,(e) tufting the yarn as facing yarn into a primary carpet backing material, forming a cut pile carpet, which then can be dyed,(f) coating the underside of the carpet with a heat-settable adhesive that, when cured, will help anchor the tufts of yarn in the backing material, and(g) heating the adhesive-coated carpet to a temperature at which the adhesive will set and the facing yarn will reconform to the bends and twists in its memory.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding materials containing a mixture ofA. a heat-stable polymer, e.g. a polyether sulfone or polysulfone, which does not contain any reactive groups, andB. a heat-stable polymer which contains reactive groups, preferably nitrile or thioaryl groups and/or sulfur bridges,can be processed to moldings, which can be crosslinked, for example by being heated at above 200.degree. C., so that the plastic matrix becomes virtually insoluble.

Abstract: Polyester fibers containing one or more oxalate complexes of the general formulaMe.sub.n [Z(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.m ]are drawn and subjected to a hydrosetting process at temperatures of 90.degree. to 170.degree. C. in the presence of liquid water, the water containing one or more of the following surfactants: salts of partial esters of phosphoric aid, sulfosuccinic aid esters, phosphonic acid esters as well as ethoxylated silicon compounds, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyglycol esters of fatty acids as well as various imidazole salts of partially or completely hydrogenated imidazoles. In this way the hydrosetting process is accelerated and a more stable pore structure is obtained. Water absorption and retention are also increased.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented thermo-fixed multilayer film is described, consisting of thermoplastic polyester materials having different melting points and having an essentially scratch-free surface. The characterizing features of the multilayer film described consist in the fact that a cover layer of a polyester B is applied to at least one surface of a base layer of thermoplastic polyester A, said polyester B having a lower melting point than polyester A, and by the fact that no scratches longer than 3.0 mm and greater than 10 microns in cross-section are present on the surface of the cover layer.

Abstract: Thermally formed annealed surgical devices made from unoriented polymers of p-dioxanone and methods for manufacturing the same. The preferred device is a ligating clip having good in vivo performance characteristics. The method includes initially drying the thermally formed device followed by heating the device without restraint at specific temperatures for specific time periods.

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene-trans-benzobisthiazole) and poly(p-phenylene-cis-benzobisoxazole) fibers are rendered more adherent to epoxy resins by treatment with an oxygen containing gas under specified conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the service life of thermoplastic resin articles exposed on one side to a fluid, such as heated water or air. The thermoplastic resin article, such as a pipe or tank liner, contains a minor proportion of an additive such as an anti-oxidant, an ultraviolet stabilizer, a plasticizer, or a heat stabilizer. During exposure to the fluid, the additive tends to migrate toward the exposed surface and be leached from the resin setting up a concentration gradient throughout the thickness of the resin article. A layer containing a quantity of the additive is applied to the outer unexposed surface of the thermoplastic article, and the concentration gradient causes the additive from the outer layer to diffuse inwardly through the wall of the article to replace the additive lost by exposure to the fluid, thereby substantially increasing the service life of the thermoplastic article and providing additional amounts of additive by an effective time release mechanism.

Abstract: Process for preparing poly-piperazinamide, anisotropic shaped articles comprising the preparation of the polymer solution in a polar organic solvent, the transformation of the solution into shaped bodies by spreading or spinning, the gelation of the shaped articles by phase inversion, and, optionally, the heat treatment of the gellified shaped articles.

Abstract: The dyeability of carpet yarns prepared from random copolymers of nylon 66 and 6-12 wt. % nylon 6 is improved by subjecting the yarn to saturated steam at temperatures close to the melting point of the copolymer. The copolymers used in the invention have an amine end content of 30-80 gram equivalents per 1000 kilograms of polymer and a relative viscosity of 55-85 in filament form.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-step process for the preparation of ceramic fibers, such as ferrimagnetic spinel fibers which are useful in electromagnetic interaction shielding applications.The process involves subjecting a ceramic powder-filled hollow organic fiber to isostatic pressing, and then pyrolyzing and sintering the compacted fiber to yield a ceramic fiber.

Abstract: Method for forming a paperboard receptacle includes male and female dies which draw the receptacle from a blank. The receptacle is moisturized during the drawing process to plasticize and lubricate the paperboard by injecting steam into one of the dies.

Abstract: The properties of shaped articles of poly {[benzo(1,2-d:4,5-d')bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene}, its cis isomer and mixtures thereof are improved by a process of heat treatment under tension. The articles may be prepared from a dope obtained by dissolving the formed polymer in an appropriate solvent or by forming the polymer under conditions which enable the article to be prepared directly from the reaction medium.

Abstract: A method of treating polypropylene hose to increase its strength and durability is provided by flexing the hose through a plurality of 360 degree rotations while in a bent form to alternately axially compress and extend portions of the hose to increase the molecular alignment of the polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention is a process for producing ZnO-based varistors incorporating a metal oxide dopant. In one form, the invention comprises providing a varistor powder mix of colloidal particles of ZnO and metal-oxide dopants including Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3. The mix is hot-pressed to form a compact at temperatures below 850.degree. C. and under conditions effecting reduction of the ZnO to sub-stoichiometric oxide. This promotes densification while restricting liquid formation and grain growth. The compact then is heated under conditions restoring the zinc oxide to stoichiometric composition, thus improving the varistor properties of the compact. The process produces fine-grain varistors characterized by a high actual breakdown voltage and a high average breakdown voltage per individual grain boundary.

Abstract: A fiber consisting essentially of polyethylene terephthalate capable of being dyed under normal pressure and having an initial modulus at 30.degree. C. of about 55 g/d to about 130 g/d, a relationship between a peak temperature [T.sub.max (.degree.C.)] at the peak of a dynamic mechanical loss tangent (tan .delta.) measured with a frequency of 110 Hz and a peak value of the dynamic mechanical loss tangent [(tan .delta.).sub.max ] represented by the formula:(tan .delta.).sub.max .gtoreq.1.times.10.sup.-2 (T.sub.max -105)and a (tan .delta.).sub.max of about 0.14 to about 0.30 and a dynamic mechanical loss tangent at 220.degree. C. (tan .delta..sub.220) of at most about 0.055. The fiber is produced by subjecting a polyethylene terephthalate fiber obtained at a spinning speed of at least about 4000 m/min. to heat treatment at a temperature ranging from a temperature at which a dynamic modulus (E') of the fiber deviates from a tangent line at 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A polypropylene strap for use in packaging articles. The polypropylene strap has a high tensile strength, a low elongation, a high ridigity, a high abrasion resistance, and flexible surfaces, and it is not easily split in the longitudinal direction. This strap has superficial layers stretched at a low draw rate of 1.2-3, and a inner portion stretched at a high draw rate of 10-18. The total thickness of the superficial layers is 5-50% of the total thickness of the strap. The strap is manufactured by stretching a belt-like material, which has been extruded from a die, in the lengthwise direction thereof at a volume ratio of 4-9, heating the surfaces of the resulting belt-like material to put the molecular chains in the superficial layers only thereof in a non-oriented state, and then stretching the belt-like material as a whole at a draw ratio of 1.2-3.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing the Tmc of PPS subjected to heat treatment in a temperature range between 240.degree. C. and 320.degree. C., particularly during the heating process of an extrusion operation, by increasing the tmperature of the polymer through the 240.degree. C.-320.degree. C. range at a rate of at least 20.degree. C. per minute or by subsequently raising the temperature of the polymer to at least 350.degree. C. for a time sufficient to stabilize the Tmc of the polymer.

Abstract: Provided is an erasable recording medium and a method for recording and erasing same. The erasable recording medium comprises a thermally stable substrate and a polymeric layer deposited on the substrate comprised of a dimer acid polyamide. Such a recording medium has an excellent dimensional and mechanical stability on storage, readily and easily records information, and has an ability to be easily and completely erased when erasure is desired.

Abstract: Polycarbonate water bottles are refurbished by automated cycling through conveyor system having a loading and unloading section, a temperature adjusting section, a vapor exposure section, and a cooling and curing section. Each of the sections are associated in a continuous circuit by means of a conveyor system which conveys a plurality of bottles through the refurbishing system. Each bottle is first heated to not less than 103.degree. F. and then cooled to a predetermined state wherein the thinner portions of each bottle are at a temperature in the range of 75.degree.-80.degree. F. and the thicker portions are at a temperature in the range of 90.degree.-95.degree. F. Each bottle is then subjected to a dichloromethane vapor cloud for at least 10 seconds, during which time the skin layer becomes fluidic and the surface tension causes all blemishes and scratches to be removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dielectric from ferroelectric ceramic material having a perovskite structure with the basic formula ABO.sub.3. In the method, the dielectric is sintered in a reducing atmosphere and the sintered body is aftertreated at a temperature in the range of from 500.degree. to 900.degree. C. in an N.sub.2 --O.sub.2 atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a quantity of O.sub.2 corresponding to a partial O.sub.2 -pressure between 10.sup.-5 bar and 0.2 bar.

Abstract: Composite sutures of dissimilar synthetic polymer materials are prepared by forming a thread comprised of a plurality of fibers of a first synthetic polymer, said thread further comprising a second synthetic polymer in intimate association with and present uniformily along the length of said first synthetic polymer, softening the second synthetic polymer to cause it to flow, applying pressure to the softened polymer to redistribute it throughout the plurality of fibers, and into the interstices thereof and sterilizing the thread to form a suture thereof.