Abstract: A method for strengthening lead zirconate-lead titanate ceramic transducers hich comprises heating the transducer at a temperature from 900.degree. C to 1000.degree. C in a nonreducing atmosphere containing at least 20 volume percent of oxygen for at least one hour.

Abstract: A substantially dimensionally stable, calendered vinyl film construction having good chemical resistance and outdoor durability is disclosed. The film comprises a calendered vinyl film, an adhesive having high creep and shrinkage resistance on one side thereof, and release paper bonded to the adhesive on the side remote from the vinyl film. It is useful as a substrate for markings and decals on the exterior surfaces of vehicles and other structures. The calendered film which comprises polyvinyl chloride, a plasticizer or plasticizers and heat and ultraviolet light stabilizers is heat and pressure stabilized after calendering. Release paper is then coated with a layer of high creep and shrink resistant adhesive by reverse roll coating, and the release paper/adhesive composite is dried and is laminated to the film at a laminating nip.

Abstract: A method of bonding a polyamide plastics material to a rubber composition comprises heating the polyamide plastics material to soften at least its surface, contacting the softened surface with a rubber composition and allowing the polyamide plastics material to cool in contact with the rubber composition. The plastic-rubber composite produced by this method may be used in applications in which hitherto rubber-metal composites have been used, of which the following is a specification.

Abstract: An improved process for producing calcined gypsum which comprises continuously treating a mass of calcined gypsum by adding, with thorough blending agitation, small metered portions of water to result in the incorporation of about 1-8% free water in the mass by weight of the gypsum, allowing the blended mass to heal the calcium sulfate hemihydrate surface fissures and thereafter continuously supplying the treated gypsum mass into gypsum board production.

Abstract: Fabrics produced from aromatic sulfide polymers are rendered water-repellent by heat treatment near, but below, the melting point of the polymer for a finite period of time. The resulting heat-treated fabric is suitable for flame retardant tents, waterproof clothing, filters, etc.

Abstract: In a biaxial blown tube synthetic resin film making apparatus, the extruder die, mandrel, the reheat ovens, and a hot air ring are caused to rotate and oscillate about a stalk moving coaxially therethrough to provide an improved flatter and more uniform film.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of heat curing elastomeric electrical insulation on a central electrical conductor of an electrical cable is provided and the apparatus includes an outer housing which is adapted to contain means for curing the exterior portion of the insulation from its outer portion inwardly and an electrical induction coil for curing the insulation from its inner portion outwardly. The coil is supported concentrically within the housing with the coil being adapted to receive the conductor therethrough with its insulation thereon and the coil serves to heat the conductor which in turn transmits heat to the inner portion of the insulation to provide the heat curing thereof from the inner portion radially outwardly. A magnetic flux shield is provided between the housing and the coil and serves to provide a path of least resistance for the lines of magnetic flux generated by the coil to thereby assure efficient operation of the induction coil yet without detrimental heating of the outer housing.

Abstract: A tacky polyolefin film is prepared by forming a film using a composition comprising a polyolefin resin, a low grade polyolefin and a tackifier and aging the resulting film.

Abstract: Substantially spherical granules of phenacetin are prepared by spraying liquid phenacetin which has been melted without decomposition by means of rapid passage through a melting device in which superheating is minimized. The resultant melt-sprayed granules are superior to crystalline phenacetin in the formulation of pharmaceutical tablets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a multi-level assembly of flexible nets for supporting flowers to allow them to grow in straight, upstanding shape through the mesh openings of the nets which are raised progressively to different levels of height above a flower bed in accordance with the growth of the flowers. A plurality of nets are laid one upon another with their mesh openings substantially correctly aligned with one another and placed on a frame in a vertically zigzag folded pattern. Then, the nets are, together with the frame, immersed in a bath of a heating medium, such as hot water, to allow the nets to undergo thermal contraction, whereby the mesh openings of the nets are correctly with one another. The nets are, together with the frame, removed from the bath and allowed to cool. Then, the nets are removed from the frame with their folded shape substantially in order.

Abstract: Extruded articles of resinous transparent monovinyl-substituted aromatic compound/conjugated diene block copolymer are subjected to a brief heat treatment which results in a substantial improvement in clarity.

Abstract: The process of reducing dust particles formed in the fibrillation of tape yarns of synthetic material by applying a sufficient amount of heat to the fibrillated tape yarn to cause said synthetic dust particles to fuse into said tape yarn.

Abstract: Foam styrene polymer sheet is expanded to form foam products having lower density by a process which includes (a) contacting the foam styrene polymer sheet with an aqueous composition, (b) maintaining the aqueous composition in contact with the sheet to effect impregnation of the sheet by the aqueous composition, and thereafter (c) heating the impregnated sheet to expand the sheet. The expanded products are useful as thermal insulation and packaging material.

Abstract: A process for forming peelable seals between a layer of spunbonded olefin material and an unsupported film of polyethylene or to a supported film of a laminated or coated backing, such as polyethylene coated Mylar, to form a peel-seal packet, container or pouch. The spunbonded olefin material is first pretreated with a heated die in the areas that are to form the peel-seal with heat and pressure suitable to render uniform surface characteristics to the spunbonded olefin. The heat, pressure and dwell time of the pretreatment are sufficient to eliminate the high spots and internal weaknesses of the spun-bonded olefin material following which a web of synthetic polymeric material having a heat sealable surface may be peelably sealed by a conventional heat sealing method.

Abstract: A suspended mass is shaped by melting all or a selected portion of the mass and applying acoustic energy in varying amounts to different portions of the mass. In one technique for forming an optical waveguide slug, a mass of oval section is suspended and only a portion along the middle of the cross-section is heated to a largely fluid consistency. Acoustic energy is applied to opposite edges of the oval mass to press the unheated opposite edge portions together so as to form bulges at the middle of the mass. In another technique for forming a ribbon of silicon for constructing solar cells, a cylindrical thread of silicon is drawn from a molten mass of silicon, and acoustic energy is applied to opposite sides of the molten thread to flatten it into a ribbon.

Abstract: A porous film of polytetrafluoroethylene having an accurately controlled pore diameter and a superior pore diameter distribution, and a process for preparing the film.

Abstract: High strength fibers and films are prepared from melt extrudable (co)polyazomethines.

Abstract: Highly unusual and useful novel high-performance, oriented, low-crystalline, essentially heterocyclic structures, e.g. films, are prepared from certain novel and important process sequences. These structures, e.g. films and fibers, possess a unique combination of minimal shrinkage at high temperatures, after orientation, coupled with negligible coefficient of expansion over an unusually wide temperature range.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A textile material is molded by preheating to its transition temperature and then rapidly deformed by stretching without cooling. The deformation is maintained for a certain time at the preheating temperature or higher. The material is then quickly cooled. An apparatus for molding particularly fabric has a heat chamber having an opening over which the fabric is fastened, and a molding body having the desired shape and movable towards the heat chamber so as to stretch the fabric while entering partly through the opening. The molding body and heat chamber can be heated and the heat chamber may be evacuated or supplied with air under pressure for cooling the fabric.

Abstract: Dry semipermeable membranes of polyacrylonitrile or copolymers containing more than 65 wt. % of acrylonitrile are prepared by dissolving the polymer in a solvent in a solids concentration of 15-30% by weight; uniformly coating the solution onto a surface in a desired shape under an atmosphere whose relative humidity is 60-85% and dipping said coated surface into a non-solvent medium so as to remove the solvent which forms the membrane; heat-treating the membrane under moist conditions at 60.degree.-90.degree. C; and drying the membrane at a temperature less than the temperature of the heat treatment under conditions such that the coefficient of contraction is less than 1%, whereby a dried semi-permeable membrane having an open-celled structure with a pore size of a diameter less than 0.5 .mu. and a porosity of 0.40-0.7 is obtained.

Abstract: Process for open vulcanization of innertubes wherein the completed green tube with valve and valve stem installed is folded and arranged on a surface with rods from about 13 to about 25 mm in diameter inserted in the folded ends. Air amounting to from about 7.5% to about 12.5% of the nominal fully inflated volume of the tube is injected and the thus-arranged and partially-inflated tube is exposed to open air or open steam curing at a temperature in the range of from about 150.degree. to about 190.degree. C. The resulting tube has edges and end folds of increased radius of curvature minimizing subsequent fatigue or flex cracking in service.

Abstract: Modified copolymers which have viscosities which vary very markedly with changes in temperature are obtained by malaxating a statistical copolymer of ethylene and maleic anhydride containing between 0.5 and 20% by weight of units derived from maleic anhydride and having a melt index of between 0.1 and 500 dg/min, in the molten state with at least one chemical reagent containing at least two reactive groups which are amine or alcoholic --OH groups but at most primary or secondary amine group and at least one alcoholic --OH group.

Abstract: An improved method for bonding same or different thermoplastic high molecular weight materials is described, in which the respective materials to be bonded are heated until their respective temperatures reach a temperature a little lower than the respective second order transition points, when a pressing force is applied to a butting surface between the materials to be bonded, and after the materials have been in themselves further heated up to a temperature 20.degree. - 50.degree. C higher than the higher second order transition point if the second order transition points of the respective materials are different, the materials are slowly cooled down to a temperature lower than the lower second order transition point.

Abstract: An organic film capacitor element comprising a dielectric polyvinylidene fluoride film, elongated and subsequently heat treated, and an electrode foil and a method for preparing same are disclosed.

Abstract: Process for continuous bonding of a fibrous non-woven web of polyethylene terephthalate matrix and copolyester binder filaments which comprises depositing the matrix and binder filaments as a nonwoven web on a moving belt, steam treating the nonwoven web under restraint thereby consolidating the web, removing the restraint, transferring the consolidated web from the moving belt to a bonder, and finally bonding the web with a flow of hot air through the web.

Abstract: Method for preparing a biaxially oriented polyvinyl alcohol film by extruding a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and water, and if desired, incorporated with a polyhydric alcohol, in a tubular form, drying the tubular film to give a tubular non-stretched film having a degree of crystallization of not more than 44 % and a water content of not more than 20 % by weight, and biaxially stretching the non-stretched film at a stretching ratio of not less than 2 in each of the machine and transverse directions by means of inflation under conditions such that the film surface at the starting point of stretching is maintained at a temperature in the range from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree.C., the surface of the film reaching a maximum temperature at the middle portion of a stretching zone extending from said starting point to a point where the tube reaches a maximum diameter and the difference between maximum and minimum surface temperatures in the stretching zone does not vary more than about 15.degree.C.

Abstract: A process for improving the abrasion resistance of a pile surfaced material comprising fibrils or tufts of a thermoplastic material integrally formed with a sheet of the thermoplastic material said sheet having been bonded to a backing substrate by melting of the thermoplastic material, said process comprising subsequently heating the pile surfaced material from the substrate side to a temperature such that and for such a time that softening of the thermoplastic occurs but no substantial collapse of the pile occurs.

Abstract: Tubes of thermoplastic material having an elastic memory are assembled with radiating plates of a heat exchanger by:Longitudinally drawing the tubes at a first temperature in the neighborhood of the softening point of said material so as to reduce their transverse dimensions;Cooling said tubes to the ordinary temperature while maintaining the drawing force;Putting the tubes and the plates in their desired relative positions;Bringing the assembly to said first temperature so that the tubes can resume their initial transverse dimensions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a shaped article made of hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having an improved impact resistance by conditioning the shaped article to contain water within the range of 0.2 to 3.0 % by weight to the article. The impact resistance of the shaped article can be improved without losing the advantageous characteristics of the copolymer and the improved article can be suitably employed as engineering plastics.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene bags used in solids filtering units are preshrunk to preclude tearing or ripping of the bags.

Abstract: Filaments having a substantially increased inner surface, in particular porous filaments of filaments having a cracked, notched or nicked surface of thermoplsatic material are produced by subjecting filaments of thermoplastic material, preferably containing a pore-forming agent, to a heating medium at a temperature at least 100.degree., preferably 150.degree.C.

Abstract: The power factor of electrical insulating materials comprising clay-filled ethylene-containing polymeric compounds is reduced by the presence therein of an organoalkoxysilane and heat treating the admixed compound thereof at a temperature of about 120.degree.F to about 200.degree.F for at least about 24 hours prior to forming or molding to shape.

Abstract: Alumina fibre is prepared by spinning a solution containing an aluminium compound and an organic polymer, removing solvent and contacting the fibre with ammonia or an amine before conversion of the fibre to alumina.

Abstract: A plastic pipe coupling is formed by a pressing operation upon a section of extruded pipe that has been heat softened. The method of forming includes enclosure of the entire pipe section in a mold and longitudinal compression of the heat softened plastic to obtain wall thickness greater than the original extruded pipe section. The apparatus includes compressor members to shorten the heat softened extruded pipe section, a rigid external die or mold to shape the exterior, expanding mandrels made of mechanically rigid materials to accurately form the interior, and structure to accurately position the mandrels with respect to the outer mold to obtain accurate wall thickness.

Abstract: method for treating pellets of a polyester polymer, such as a polyester polymer of poly(ethylene terephthalate), having at least some non-crystalline portions to prevent sticking when heated above the glass transition temperature. The method comprises mixing with pellets of the polyester polymer an amount of about 0.25% to about 5% by weight of crystalline fines which are less than 40 mesh in size, and preferably less than 140 mesh in size, of the same type polymer prior to or while the pellets are being subjected to temperatures above the glass transition temperature. The crystalline fines may also be mixed with pellets of amorphous polyester polymer. Other examples of polymers with which this treatment will also be effective are poly(tetramethylene terephthalate); poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate); poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) modified with isophthalic acid; and a copolymer of 3:1 terephthalic:adipic acids and 3:1 ethylene:tetramethylene glycols.