Abstract: An article of manufacture having heat-alterable memory characteristics consisting of a shaped, vulcanized composition comprising a hydrogenated polybutadiene which in its unhydrogenated state contains from about 15 to about 55 percent trans 1,4-addition and from about 15 to about 40 percent cis 1,4-addition, the article being in a dimensionally heat-unstable condition capable of altering its physical form upon application of heat alone. The article is produced by hydrogenating the above-described polybutadiene, shaping and vulcanizing the hydrogenated polybutadiene and subjecting the shaped, vulcanized article to a force sufficient to alter its dimensions.

Abstract: Silane end-capped polyarylene polyethers are disclosed.

Abstract: Fibers with enhanced tenacity are prepared by heat treating oriented fibers from anisotropic-melt-forming linear aromatic and cycloaliphatic polymers, especially polyesters (including copolyesters), while said fibers are essentially relaxed, at temperatures near the flow temperature but sufficiently below to prevent substantial interfilament fusion, for a period of from five seconds to several hours until the fiber tenacity is increased by at least 50% and to at least 10 grams per denier.

Abstract: A process is provided for vulcanizing an elastomeric reinforced hose or a hose having its core tube reinforced with fibrous material. In accordance with the process a hose having an elastomeric sheath over its reinforcing material is preferably continuously passed through a tubular preheater which softens the surface of the sheath and the hose is then passed through a heated sizing die where only the surface is initially softened and then vulcanized before leaving the die. The die sizes the diameter of the hose and at the same time smooths out the surface of the sheath. The sized hose is passed immediately into a vulcanizer where it is heated to vulcanize completely. The vulcanized hose is then cooled.The apparatus provided for practicing the process has, a heated dye, a vulcanizing unit and a unit for cooling the vulcanized hose all connected in series. The apparatus may also have a tubular preheater. The preheater is steam jacketed and may be provided with a means for lubricating the surface of the hose.

Abstract: A vulcanization apparatus for a continuous length of article comprises a curved vulcanizing pipe devised to ensure, with the aid of a heating liquid medium recirculation system assembled thereto, a stable and even vulcanization of such a continuous length of article without damaging the same, a tubular cleaner for removing the heating liquid medium deposited on said continuous length of article and a cooling pipe, said vulcanizing pipe, tubular cleaner and cooling pipe being connected together in the cited sequence, without a provision of any spacious separating means or sealing means therebetween, in an arrangement in which a mutual ingression between the heating liquid and cleaning and/or cooling medium can be prevented from and in which the economy can be improved in cost as well as in space while ensuring safety.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a hose formed and vulcanized on a mandrel, comprising continuously forming and advancing a hollow mandrel, continuously forming said hose about said mandrel and continuously vulcanizing said hose while advancing said hose in axial direction with said mandrel, after said mandrel arrives at a predetermined location continuously destroying said mandrel within said hose, and removing the remnants of said mandrel from said hose. The mandrel may be formed of a brittle material such as sintered metal or of a relatively low melting material and its destruction can be effected by longitudinal severance into strips and/or melting by induced current and/or fragmentation by ultrasound. Alternatively the mandrel may be made of soluble material and subsequently dissolved away. Endless reinforcements may also be circulated and the mandrel formed so as to partially embed said reinforcements. Corresponding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The use of polysulfide rubbers cured with dilower alkyl tin oxides in hot applied processes and articles formed thereby are disclosed. The compositions are useful as hot applied sealants and in the extrusion of hoses and similar rubber articles.

Abstract: Incorporation of levulinic acid into zinc oxide cured systems based on thiol terminated polysulfide polymers results in cured rubbers capable of extrusion under heat and pressure. The products are useful in sealants and in fabrication of solvent resistant hoses and other extruded articles.

Abstract: A bent pipe of reinforced synthetic resin is produced by supporting a flexible and elastic tubular mandrel in a stiff and straight position, forming layers of fiber impregnated with thermo-hardening synthetic resin about the mandrel, releasing the mandrel from the straightly stiffened position, bending the mandrel in the desired curvature, heat hardening the synthetic resin, and then extracting the mandrel from the bent pipe thus formed and hardened.

Abstract: A composite reinforced vulcanized elastomeric hose is disclosed including a tube, an outer cover, an interlayer interposed between the tube and cover, and a reinforcement embedded in the hose wall. The outer cover and inner tube are composed of dissimilar polymers not readily bondable to one another, one of which is an EPDM type, and the interlayer is composed of halogenated butyl which securely bonds the dissimilar polymers together and provides a low permeability internal fluid barrier for the hose article with protection to the embedded reinforcement.

Abstract: A method of sealing a cavity or recess with a one-component sealing material which cures in the presence of moisture, comprising the steps of filling the recess or cavity with a moisture curable material and inserting a water-carrying member into said recess or cavity to provide moisture and cause the moisture curable material to cure in said recess or cavity. A sealing assembly is also provided comprising a cured body of moisture curable material having a water-carrying member embedded therein.

Abstract: Continuous method and apparatus for treatment of a solid material submerged in a body of liquid wherein the material is sticky and/or has weak tensile strength. The material is supported, while it is so submerged, by a dynamic layer of the liquid lying between the material and a moving surface. The method is illustrated by heating and thereby foaming a strip of heat foamable thermoplastic resin while it is held submerged in a denser heat transfer liquid by a dynamic layer of that liquid generated by a moving belt above the foaming material. In an example, expandable high density polyethylene strip is foamed continuously while it is so held submerged in molten salt.

Abstract: This invention constitutes an improvement upon the existing practice of manufacturing reinforced automotive heater hose and the like in a continuous operation which comprises continuously extruding an elastomeric tube, continuously applying to the outer surface of the tube an appropriate reinforcing layer of textile yarns or the like, continuously extruding over the reinforcing layer an elastomeric covering layer, and continuously curing the elastomeric components in an elongated chamber containing heat exchange elements the improvement residing in the provision of a method and means for elongating within certain limits the uncured or partially cured hose during the curing process whereby reduction of pressure and temperature within the extruding units and other advantages in production of reinforced automotive heater hose and the like may be realized.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for replicating nest members, each of which has a precisely formed nest cavity for the snug yet removable receipt of an article of jewelry or the like. The method comprises impressing a master pattern having a configuration conforming to the jewelry article to be ultimately held by the nest member into a body of a curable material to form a cavity having a contour which corresponds to the nest cavity of the nest member. The body is cured to a hardened state and then placed on an unvulcanized first rubber mold member so that the impression is directed toward the mold member. The mold member is vulcanized so that a surface thereof takes a configuration which is complementary to that of the impression in the body. Thereafter, a jewelry nest member is cast in a mold comprised of the mold member and a second cooperating mold member, also of rubber.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a semipermeable membrane which comprises exposing porous shaped articles of polyacrylonitrile or copolymers thereof containing acrylonitrile in an amount of more than 40% by mole to a plasma.The resulting semipermeable membrane is very useful for separating substances by reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A continuous method for foaming foamable thermoplastic resin by floating the resin upon a heated liquid bath while heating it from above by flooding the upper surface of the floating resin material with a blanket of a liquid at substantially the same temperature as the heated bath. In an example, the flooding liquid is pumped from the heated bath and sprayed over the upper surface of the floating resin material.

Abstract: The cross-linking of a moulded object based on polymeric materials is effected by heating the object in the presence of a liquid medium containing one or more peroxides under conditions that cause penetration, and the heating is continued at increasing temperatures to cause a homogeneous cross-linking.Employable peroxides are substantially stable under the first heating step but are cleaved into free radicals during the second heating step, at least the cross-linking step being carried out with the object enclosed in a liquid of approximately the same density as the polymeric material.

Abstract: An elastomeric polyurethane polymer arrow vane with a tapered fletch which will not wrinkle or warp when attached to an arrow shaft is described. The vane is prepared by injection molding in mold cavities with a reverse curve in the portion of the cavities which form the base of the vane which attaches to the arrow shaft so that the vane is straight or has a reverse curve after it is injection molded.

Abstract: Vulcanized rubber is reclaimed by treating pieces of the rubber to render a surface layer of each piece plastic while the inner core of the piece remains non-plastic. A chemical reagent can be used in the treatment, but it is preferred to render the surface layers of the rubber pieces plastic by a heat treatment which involves direct exposure of the pieces of rubber to either a flame or a heated gas. In a preferred embodiment of the invention vulcanized rubber pieces are dropped under gravity into a flame so that any attached textile residues are burnt away simultaneously with the plasticizing of the surface layers of the pieces, and the heated pieces then enter a stream of cold air which quenches the heat treatment.Vulcanized rubber articles made from the rubber reclaimed by the method of the invention have improved properties as compared with articles made by the conventional methods of reusing vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: Process for producing conductive cured products are disclosed. In one embodiment a copper compound is reacted with a reducing substance capable of reducing said copper compound to metallic copper, in the presence of a metallic copper powder on a substrate, thereby reducing the copper compound to metallic copper and forming a conductive connected unit of said metallic copper powder, and the connected unit is then subjected to cure molding with a resinous curable component to integrate the constituent elements into the conductive cured product. In a second embodiment, the ligand portion of a copper compound of a ligand capable of reducing copper in a compound state is reacted with the copper moiety present in said copper compound in the presence of a metallic copper powder on a substrate. The copper moiety is reduced and precipitated to form a conductive connected unit of a metallic copper powder and the connected unit is then subjected to cure molding with a resinous curable component.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of rubber sheets such as tire treads having a surface design in which the rubber is at least partially cured in a mold.

Abstract: In a method of making a cross-linked extruded product from polyethylene or other suitable polymer, the polymer is metered into a screw extrusion machine together with compounding ingredients comprising a hydrolysable unsaturated silane, a free-radical generator and a silanol condensation catalyst. The compounding ingredients are blended with the polymer in the barrel of the extruder and the mixture is heated sufficiently to effect grafting of silane groups to the polymer, the amount of free-radical generator being sufficiently low to limit direct free-radical cross-linking to a level that will not prevent extrusion of the material. The reaction mixture is extruded directly from the same extruder through an extrusion die to form an elongate shaped product and cross-linking is effected by subjecting the shaped product to the action of moisture.

Abstract: The thorough bonding required between the base or flange of a molded rubber sleeve for a valve, and a tire tube of rubber or the like, is realized by simulating the roughened effect normally produced through abrasion. Such effect is achieved by specially configuring the surface of the base in the molding process; that is to say, the surface normally resulting from abrasion is equivalently produced by forming the contacting surface of the critical mold portion (such as a plunger or the like) in a cross-hatched or knurled pattern, whereby a desired cross-hatched pattern is formed in the particular surface of the base.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for vulcanization of rubber and rubberized materials in which a strip of material to be vulcanized is continuously transported from one autoclave to a second autoclave and thence to a third autoclave. Material is unrolled from a roll in the first autoclave, passed into and along a plurality of back and forth paths in the second autoclave and thence into the third autoclave where the strip is rolled. In all three autoclaves overpressure is maintained, and the second autoclave is the only one where vulcanization temperature is maintained. Closed strip communication channels are provided between the first and second and the second and third autoclaves. The channels are cooled to avoid passage of the high vulcanization temperatures from the second autoclave to the other autoclaves.

Abstract: The method of the present disclosure includes preparing a coil which is impregnated with resin to form a resin packed coil, in which the resin is still in a liquid phase, immersing the resin packed coil into a wax in the liquid state, hardening the wax adhering around the resin packed coil, hardening the resin which is impregnated in the coil, and removing the wax, thus obtaining a resin packed coil assembly where the resin is hardened and surrounds the coil.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition is shaped into a conveyor belt and cured in three steps. In the first step the uncured composition is heated to the curing temperature of the elastomer and pressed at a pressure which is at least equal to the vapor pressure of volatile constituents in the composition to avoid bubbles but less than 6 kg/cm.sup.2 until the composition becomes plastic. At this point, the pressure is increased to about 6 to 10 kg/cm.sup.2 to shape the composition into the configuration of a conveyor belt while maintaining the temperature of the composition at the curing temperature of the elastomer. In a third step, the pressure is reduced to a pressure of not less than the vapor pressure of volatile constituents of the composition and less than 6 kg/cm.sup.2 while maintaining the temperature of the composition at the curing temperature of the elastomer until the elastomer is cured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making flexible rubber tubing with axially spaced annular or helical corrugations. A sleeve of uncured vulcanizable rubber is slipped over a forming mandrel and an external form comprising a length of flexible, corrugated, axially compressible rubber tubing is positioned over the sleeve. The interior wall of the external form defines a shaping surface for use in forming embryonic corrugations in the sleeve. The sleeve is radially expanded into the shaping surface and the form and sleeve are axially compressed concertina-fashion to increase the radial dimensions of bulged portions of the sleeve between the corrugations of the external form to make embryonic corrugations in the sleeve. The sleeve and external form are then removed from the forming mandrel and the sleeve is placed on a curing mandrel with the corrugations at desired spacings, after which the sleeve is cured.

Abstract: Rubber hose with textile thread reinforcing is produced by extruding an inner tube of rubber material, cooling the extruded tube, applying a covering of textile thread over the inner tube and then extruding an outer layer of rubber material over the textile layer. Just before the outer layer is extruded on the inner tube it is heated by subjecting it to an ultrahigh frequency field. The outer layer is extruded on under a vacuum so that the inner tube which has been softened by the UHF heating is supported by the resulting pressure differential. The resulting hose is then vulcanized. By reason of the preheating of the inner tube, the inner and outer rubber layers are at approximately the same temperature and hence vulcanized equally. The application of a vacuum during the second extrusion has the further advantage of avoiding air inclusions between the inner and outer rubber layers.

Abstract: A hose construction including a corrugated and a curved construction and method of making same are provided and the hose construction comprises at least one layer portion made primarily of an elastomeric material having randomly distributed elongated fibers embedded therein in substantially parallel relation with the fibers extending in a helical pattern about a reference axis of the hose construction and at an angle relative thereto.

Abstract: An object of cross-linked polymer, such as insulation for a cable conductor or a cable sheath, is formed by using a starting material containing a peroxide and a polymer material with the ability to undergo a cross-linking reaction in the presence of peroxide. The reaction is carried out during at least a part of the process in the presence of a substance which has the ability to undergo a color change during the cross-linking reaction of the polymer material so that a color change of the substance is obtained. There may also be added a dye which does not have the ability to undergo a color change during the cross-linking of the polymer material. The substance may be an aromatic compound containing at least one halogen atom and/or at least one heterocyclic ring in which ring there is at least one nitrogen atom to which no hydrogen atom is linked.

Abstract: Method of making a hollow bowling pin comprising a base, body and cap wherein at least said body is composed of a thermoset composition, and said base and cap are composed of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition. The body of said pin may be composed of two or more sections of different hardness.

Abstract: A fluorinated elastomer is blended with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) resin at a temperature between the temperature of 70.degree. C below the melting temperature of the resin and the decomposition temperature of the same resin to form a resin blend capable of giving shaped articles having superior mechanical strengths. The resin blend is suitable for preparing heat-shrinkable articles like heat-shrinkable tubes by heating with expansion by internal pressure at an elevated temperature higher than the melting temperature of the resin, followed by cooling without release of the pressure to room temperature where the pressure is released. Such heat-shrinkable tubes can readily become shrunken by re-heating.

Abstract: A molded hose construction and method of making same is provided wherein such hose construction has axially spaced convolutions and a controlled flexibility defined by alternating crests and troughs, and the hose construction has an elastomeric inner layer, an elastomeric outer layer, and an intermediate reinforcing layer made of a fabric material having a substantial open space between cooperating threads defining the fabric material; and the layers are bonded as a unitary structure by strike-through columns of elastomeric material extending through said substantial space with the alternating crests and troughs having a controlled wall thickness throughout which assures the controlled flexibility, and the crests and troughs having been formed with the elastomeric layers in a semi-cured condition to assure said controlled wall thickness thereof.

Abstract: Electric cables insulated with a cured polyolefin and having high electrical breakdown strength are produced, in each instance, by applying, an insulating layer of polyolefin containing a curing agent onto a conductor by means of an extruder, forming and hot-curing said layer by means of a long-land die, simultaneously applying a specific forming coagent to a tapered portion of the long-land die, and cooling the resulting hot-cured insulating layer formed on the conductor in a cooling zone.

Abstract: For joining two cables which have an insulation of a cross-linked linear polymer such as polyethylene, the insulation on each of the two ends to be connected is tapered, the ends of the conductors are then secured to each other, and the joint is wrapped with a tape of the same linear polymer containing a cross-linking agent. The wrapping is enclosed in a tube of relatively rigid material, which is then enclosed in a tube of flexible material. The joint is then enclosed in a casing and simultaneously subjected to heating by an electric heating arrangement and to all-sided pressure exerted by a fluid, which may be a gas or a liquid such as silicone oil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the uniform cure of polyurethane elastomers including the steps of mixing polyurethane prepolymers, having free isocyanate groups, with a stable curing agent complex to form a blend, thereafter transferring it to a suitable mold and subjecting it to a predetermined amount of microwave energy until it is substantially cured.

Abstract: Fibers or films with high mechanical strengths are produced from novolacs which are obtained by reaction of resols with phenols under neutral or acidic conditions.

Abstract: A method of continuously and rapidly effecting a heat induced cure in curable polymeric compositions, such as by cross-linking or vulcanization, by means of directly contacting a surface of the heat curable polymeric composition with a stream of hot gas traveling at very high velocities, and under elevated pressures.

Abstract: Silicone rubber is vulcanized by heating in the presence of an organic peroxide initiator. Known tertiary-alkylperoxy alkyl carbonates are used in the vulcanization of molded silicone rubber articles, but have not been recommended for use in hot air vulcanization. The tertiary-alkylperoxy alkyl carbonates of the present invention provide good cures with all curing methods, including hot air vulcanization.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a hose formed and vulcanized on a mandrel, comprising continuously forming and advancing a hollow mandrel, continuously forming said hose about said mandrel and continuously vulcanizing said hose while advancing said hose in axial direction with said mandrel, after said mandrel arrives at a predetermined location continuously destroying said mandrel within said hose, and removing the remnants of said mandrel from said hose. The mandrel may be formed of a brittle material such as sintered metal or of a relatively low melting material and its destruction can be effected by longitudinal severance into strips and/or melting by induced current and/or fragmentation by ultrasound. Alternatively the mandrel may be made of soluble material and subsequently dissolved away. Endless reinforcements may also be circulated and the mandrel formed so as to partially embed said reinforcements. Corresponding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A method of vulcanizing continuous lengths of elastomeric or plastomeric material which comprises driving the material through an enclosure, within which it is subjected to vulcanizing conditions, in the form of a helix, the helix convolutions in part contacting a drive mechanism and in part being freely suspended. Also an apparatus for vulcanizing continuous lengths of flexible material, comprising an enclosure, means for providing therein an atmosphere at an elevated temperature and pressure, spaced pressure-retaining inlet and outlet means for the continuous flexible material, and drive and support means for feeding the material through the enclosure in the form of a helix comprising partially unsupported convolutions. The invention is particularly useful in the vulcanization of hosing formed for example by extrusion or by helical winding or both.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is moulded using a mould core of cured rubber the radial sectional shape of which is the same as the internal radial sectional configuration of the finished tire. The opposite sides of the core are supported by fitting plates while a tread portion of tire is moulded onto the exposed outer periphery of the core. Thereafter the side plates are removed in turn and replaced by sidewall mould halves enabling sidewalls to be moulded against the core in contact with the tread portion.

Abstract: An improved splice is provided which is useful in joining segments of a substantially flat band (e.g., a flat tow) of an acrylic fibrous material in an end to end relationship. A fabric surrounds and is sewn to an end of each band segment and extends beyond the end of the band to form a fabric extension. A pair of fabric extensions are sewn in an overlapping opposing relationship in the absence of any substantial overlap of the acrylic fibrous material of each band segment within the splice. The resulting splice is substantially flat in configuration and the band may be continuously passed in the direction of its length through the thermal stabilization zone without impairment of movement resulting from the presence of the splice. The usual exothermic heat of reaction which is evolved during the cyclization portion of the thermal stabilization reaction effectively is dissipated from within the splice without harm.

Abstract: A semipermeable membrane is obtained by casting a cast solution comprising a mixture of a water-insoluble high polymer and a water-soluble high polymer, a mixture of a water-insoluble high polymer and a water-soluble surfactant or a mixture of a water-insoluble high polymer, a water-soluble high polymer and a water-soluble surfactant to form a shaped article, exposing the thus formed shaped article to a plasma to crosslink the surface thereof, and then washing the exposed article with water to remove uncrosslinked water-soluble high polymer or water-soluble surfactant. The membrane can be used for such substance separation methods as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and the like.

Abstract: A method of making stressed concrete articles made from a cement containing as an additive to portland cement a mixture of alumina cement, calcium sulfate and ground caustic lime, the method including hydrothermal treatment at 50.degree. C or above followed by curing in cold water for several days.

Abstract: A plant for carrying out a process of continuous vulcanization of articles of elastomeric material comprises a vulcanization apparatus comprising a circuit for a heat exchange liquid. The circuit comprises a vulcanization chamber arranged to receive the heat exchange liquid, means for heating the liquid to a predetermined temperature, and means for generating a predetermined pressure in the circuit. The circuit has at least one inlet and one outlet to allow passage of articles through the chamber, seals disposed at the inlet and outlet to ensure tightness of the passage of articles through the inlet and outlet and means to prevent contact between the seals and the high temperature liquid contained under pressure within the circuit.

Abstract: A method for curing vulcanizable elastomeric articles positioned between a mold surface and a pressure chamber including the steps of introducing into the chamber a hot fluid of relatively high heat capacity, e.g., steam, under pressure for a sufficient period to soften the article, introducing into the chamber a gas of relatively low heat capacity and pressurizing the gas in the chamber at a pressure substantially greater than the pressure under which the hot fluid was introduced, and thereafter vulcanizing the elastomeric article.

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: A centrifugal molding method is provided for making a plastic lens having a gradient index of refraction. A reusable silicone rubber mold is placed in a rotatable mold carrier and two copolymerizable monomer compositions containing monomers having different indices of refraction are combined in the mold to form a polymerization mixture which has an index of refraction varying radially outward from its axis of rotation. The first monomer composition is placed in the mold and, while the mold is rotating sufficiently to force the first monomer composition to the outside edge of the mold, a second monomer composition is introduced via hypodermic injection into the center of the mold. The speed of rotation is reduced and the two monomer compositions diffuse one into the other in a controllable manner.

Abstract: A preformed polybenzimidazole semipermeable membrane (e.g., a film or hollow filament) is chemically modified in accordance with the present invention. Imidazole groups of the polybenzimidazole membrane are cross-linked by reaction with a strong polybasic acid or its acid chloride (as defined). During the reaction the polybasic acid is dissolved in a relatively mild acid medium (e.g., glacial acetic acid) which serves to decrease the basicity of the imidazole groups and to promote the desired cross-linking reaction. The resulting cross-linked membrane is tougher than the untreated membrane and may be more readily handled without deleterious results. Also, the resulting cross-linked polybenzimidazole membrane no longer is soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, and exhibits improved service characteristics such as improved compaction resistance during prolonged usage at high pressure. The product of the present invention is particularly suited for use in separations from acid waste streams.