Abstract: A process for the production of a modified phenol-aldehyde resin which may form a binder system when combined with a curing agent which includes an additional source of an aldehyde, e.g., a phenol-formaldehyde resin. The inventive phenol-aldehyde resin may be modified with compounds from one of the following classes: (1) dihydroxybenzenes, (2) aminophenols, and (3) phenylenediamines. The resin and adhesive are useful in the production of a wood composite (such as plywood, oriented strandboard, or fiberboard).

Abstract: Filter media is provided. The filter media comprises a web of melt blown microfibers having one surface substantially flat and the other surface having periodic wrinkle-like undulations. A method of making the filter media is also provided. The filter media is useful in electret filters when charged.

Abstract: Bone implants are made from calcium phosphate powders by selectively fusing layers of calcium powders that have been coated or mixed with polymer binders. The calcium powder mixture may be formed into layers and the polymer fused with a laser. Complex three-dimensional geometrical shapes can be automatically replicated or modified using this approach.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes centrifuging mineral fibers with a spinner, forming a veil of the mineral fibers moving in the direction of the axis of the spinner, directing toward the veil, from a position within the veil, organic material to cause intermingling of the organic material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled organic material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: The plasma spray method produces a material deposit on a substrate to form either a protective coating of a near net shape body, or produces a powder of a given material. The material is supplied to a plasma discharge in the form of a suspension comprising small solid particles of that material dispersed into a liquid or semi-liquid carrier substance. The suspension is brought into the plasma discharge by an atomizing probe using a pressurized gas to shear the suspension and thus atomize it into a stream of fine droplets. The plasma discharge vaporizes the carrier substance and agglomerate the small solid particles into partially or totally melted drops which are accelerated to hit the substrate and form thereon the coating or near net shape body. Alternatively, the molten drops can be solidified in-flight and collected into a vessel to produce a powder of that material.

Abstract: Processes are provided for forming composites comprising a LaMnO.sub.3 perovskite coatings (or a related perovskite) on a mat of ceramic particles (e.g., fibers, microballoons, or mixtures thereof) or LaMnO.sub.3 -family sol-gel binders infused into the mat to form the connecting, rigidifying bridges.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional fabric of the type which may be used in absorbent garments, dressings or the like involves the use of an apertured collector element which has a predetermined three-dimensional shape. The method involves positioning material adjacent to one side of the apertured collector element and developing a pressure differential between the one side of the apertured collector element and a second, opposite side to force the fabric material against the apertured collector element. The material, which has conformed to the shape of the collector element, is then solidified into its intended three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A method for fiberizing mineral material with organic material includes centrifuging mineral fibers from molten mineral material with a first spinner rotating about an axis, changing the direction of the mineral fibers to form a downwardly moving veil of mineral fibers, establishing a flow of molten organic material moving downwardly in a first conduit positioned within the veil, and directing the flow of molten organic material to a position beneath the spinner, dividing the flow of molten organic material into a plurality of streams, directing, by means of individual conduits, individual ones of the plurality of streams radially outwardly away from the first conduit, rotating the individual conduits about the axis, centrifuging organic fibers from the molten organic material by means of nozzles at the radially outward ends of the individual conduits, and directing the organic fibers into contact with the veil of mineral fibers.

Abstract: A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The method includes the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die. Also provided is a microfibrous sorbent article prepared according to the method.

Abstract: A water sensitive ceramic powder, in particular aluminum nitride, is provided with a hydrophobic coating. The coated powder is dispersed in water with addition of a binder and a nonionic surfactant from the group comprising ethylene oxide adducts with an HLB value of from 10 to 14. Subsequently the aqueous slip is converted into a free flowing granulated powder. The nonionic surfactant, which is added in an amount sufficient to give a monomolecular layer, makes possible a good dispersion of the hydrophobically coated powder in water.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product includes establishing a stream of mineral fibers, directing polymeric fibers toward the stream of mineral fibers to cause intermingling of the polymeric material, and applying heat to the polymer fibers so that some of them become softened to the extent that they lose their fibrous form and become attached to the mineral fibers as non-fibrous particles, whereas some of the polymer fibers retain their fibrous form.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus and process for melt-blowing fiberforming thermoplastic polymers to form fine fibers by extruding through spinning nozzles arranged in four or more rows. The molten fibers are accelerated to near sonic velocity by gas being blown in parallel flow through small circular gas orifices surrounding each nozzle. The air orifices are formed by a family of plates which effect the perfect centering of each nozzle in each of the circular air orifices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mineral fiber product comprises centrifuging mineral fibers with a spinner, forming a veil of the mineral fibers moving in the direction of the axis of the spinner, directing toward the veil, from a position within the veil, polymeric material to cause intermingling of the polymeric material and the mineral fibers, and, collecting the intermingled polymeric material and mineral fibers to form a mineral fiber product.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing a flat textile structure in which two melts of at least two polymer materials are changed to the form of fibers with the aid of a spinning device and in which fibers are then combined and then solidified. The spinning device consists of a spinning rotor and the polymer materials employed have an charge difference of at least ten unit charges. The two materials are first melted separately from one another. Each melt, by means of a distributor device, is then fed to a group of outlet openings of a spinning rotor unmixed. The fibers emerging from the outlet openings are then stretched and combined to form a common flat structure with the flat structure then being charged triboelectrically by an aftertreatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a meltblown continuous and seamless nonwoven tube is described. The apparatus comprises a meltblowing die for extruding two groups of polymer thermoplastic filaments onto a rotating mandrel to form a multilayer layer tube thereon. The tube is withdrawn from the mandrel by a rotating screw. The present apparatus is capable of producing nonwoven tubes having variable fiber diameters and/or composition in the radial direction, making them ideally suited for filtration purposes.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol copolymers are used as binder in an aqueous ceramic particle slurry for injection molding green ceramic bodies. The slurry is dried to form a coated powder which is then heated and injection molded into a desired shape. The molded shape is then fired to remove the binder and produce a dense ceramic part. The dense parts do not show any knit lines from the injection molding step.

Abstract: A composite socket of a joint endoprosthesis may be fashioned in which the inorganic component of the socket has apatite and/or wollastonite crystalline phases and additionally secondary crystalline phases providing improved hydrolysis stability. The inorganic mixture consists (in mass % proportions) of 31-34% CaO, 10-12% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 43-46% SiO.sub.2, 3-5% Na.sub.2 O, 2-3% CaF.sub.2 and, beyond the 100% of the above components, also 0.5-11% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and/or Zr.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2 or TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, whereby the proportion of TiO.sub.2 lies between 0.5 and 5%. Essential to the invention, too, is a certain grain size distribution and radius of aperture between the ball and the socket. The result is non-wearing operation of the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: According to one example of embodiment of the invention a ceramic pre-moulding 81 of stable form is pressed from ceramic composition in powder form in a first isostatic pressing action, at least a part of its surface being formed in contact with rigid shaping surfaces 42. The pre-moulding 81 thus obtained is then--possibly after glazing-subjected to a higher pressure, in a further pressing operation on all sides and then fired in a ONCE-ONLY quick-firing method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven web for use as a barrier layer in an SMS fabric laminate. The web is formed at commercially acceptable polymer melt throughputs (greater than 3 PIH) by using a reactor granule polyolefin, preferably polypropylene, that has been modified by the addition of peroxide in amounts ranging from up to 3000 ppm to reduce the molecular weight distribution from an initial molecular weight distribution of from 4.0 to 4.5 Mw/Mn to a range of from 2.2 to 3.5 Mw/Mn. Also the addition of peroxide increases the melt flow rate (lowers viscosity) to a range between 800 up to 5000 gms/10 min at 230.degree. C. The resulting web has an average fiber size of from 1 to 3 microns and pore sizes distributed predominantly in the range from 7 to 12 microns, with a lesser amount of pores from 12 to 25 microns, with virtually no pores greater than 25 microns, and with the peak of the pore size distribution less than 10 microns.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for preparing fired ceramic oxide material. A ceramic oxide powder is dispersed in an aqueous solution containing a dispersant having as an active ingredient a dissolved salt of an anionic polymer formed from maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, or fumaric acid. The slurry containing the dispersed ceramic oxide powder is spray-dried, compressed while substantially dry, and heated to produce a fired ceramic material. Ceramic materials having relatively higher density and strength can be produced by the method.

Abstract: A process and device for manufacturing ultrafine fibers and ultrafine-fibre mats from thermoplastic polymers with mean fibre diameters of 0,2-15 .mu.m, preferably 0,5-10 .mu.m, by a melt blowing technique. The polymer melt (12) flows through at least one bore (15) in a melt blowing nozzle (18). Immediately on emerging from the bore, gas is blown against the extrusion from both sides of the bore exit (15), thus breaking up the melt to form fibers. To this end, the gas is accelerated to supersonic speed in Laval nozzles (25, 26; 31, 32), disposed in mirror symmetry round the bore exits (15), and decelerated to just below the speed of sound in channels (27) with constant cross-section, or a cross-section which decreases in the direction of flow, fitted downstream of the Laval nozzles, and the melt (12) fed into the gas stream emerging from the channels (27).

Abstract: Method for obtaining an organic polycrystalline material having in particular electro-optical properties, said material obtained and an electro-optical modulator comprising said material. This method includes a stage (1) for preparing a powder having a size grading of 500 to 800 nm of an organic compound having a delocalized system of .pi. electrons and presenting a non-centrosymmetrical crystalline structure, as well as intramolecular load transfer groupings, a stage (2) for drying the powder under vacuum, a stage (3) for pre-pressing the powder under vacuum, and a hot stage (5) for the uniaxial compression of the dried powder under vacuum. This method enables polycrystalline materials to be obtained, said materials comprising elongated monocrystalline grains orientated according to a given direction.

Abstract: Method of making a transparent film by forming two or more melt streams, combining the melt streams into a multilayer melt stream, extruding the layered melt stream and attenuating with an airstream to form multilayer microfibers, collecting the microfibers as a nonwoven web, and consolidating the web under heat and pressure. At least one of the melt streams is a thermoplastic elastomer and at least one of the melt streams is a thermoplastic material. The transparent web has a generally continuous elastomeric phase with an included array of thermoplastic microfibers.

Abstract: This invention provides a bulky nonwoven fabric made of thermoplastic resin filaments, which is soft and highly permeable to water and gas and effectively absorbs moisture as well as shocks.A nonwoven fabric according to the invention is made of fiber-like filaments of a thermoplastic resin material and comprises a base cloth layer made having densely distributed holes and a large number of cylindrical projections, each standing from the peripheral edge of one of the holes and made of fiber-like filaments similar to those of the base cloth layer and soft, its height being at least twice as large as the thickness of the base cloth layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding the fiber column produced by a rotary fiber manufacturing unit and intermingling additive particles with the fibers. A rotating bell-shaped shell is mounted beneath the rotary disc of the manufacturing unit so that the lower portion of the shell is in the path of the fiber column, causing the column to be outwardly deflected. Additive particles are introduced from within or beneath the shell and are radially directed into the fiber column. Liquid binder may be introduced to the fibers and water may be directed onto the inner surface of the shell to cool the shell to prevent curing of binder coming in contact with the shell. The fibers may be glass fibers and the particles may be foamed resin, fibers or particles of various types.

Abstract: A method of making abrasive particles having a specified shape and abrasive articles containing abrasive particles having a specified shape.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of silicone rubber moldings comprises the preparation of a silicone rubber composition by blending an organoperoxide having an activation energy of 25 to 41 kcal/mol into a semicurable organopolysiloxane composition whose main component is organopolysiloxane having organoperoxide-crosslinkable functional groups. The silicone rubber composition is made into a particulate form and heated at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade to produce a semicured, particulate molding material which retains the activity of the organoperoxide and which contains residual crosslinkable functional group on the organopolysiloxane. Subsequently a mold is filled with the molding material and the mold material is completely cured at a temperature of at least 100 degrees Centigrade under the application of pressure. The method is particularly useful for automatic molding methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus of the type for forming a nonwoven web from a fiber forming thermoplastic polymer resin which includes a reservoir for supplying a quantity of melted fiber forming thermoplastic resin, a pump for pumping the molten resin to a fiber forming die, and a die for forming a discrete resin stream to flow therefrom. The die includes a first fluid passageway for forming a stream of fluid, such as air, in contact with and substantially surrounding the formed flow of resin for a predetermined distance within the die and a fluid interrupt system for selectively cycling the flow of resin on and off and clearing the resin from the fiber forming die. A receiving belt collects the fibers formed from the resin flow beyond the first fluid passageway spaced at a predetermined distance from the die.

Abstract: A process for introducing additive particles to extruded fibers during production of the fibers. Particles are directed into a moving stream of fibers during or after the fiber attenuation process. The movement of the fibers intermingles the particles with the fibers prior to the intermingled material being collected on a moving support. If liquid binder is sprayed onto the fibers it is subsequently set in an oven to bind the fibers and the particles to each other. The fibers preferably are mineral fibers and the particles may be fibers or particles introduced for a variety of reasons, such as to increase the strength of the product or to serve as extenders or fillers.

Abstract: The process for the production of superfine polymer fibre novwoven fabrics is based on spinning out radically the molten polymer at supply pressure in a rotating nozzle head (6) through a plurality of discharge opening (27) to form fibres and deflecting in the axial direction the not yet completely solidified fibres at a radial distance of 10 mm to 200 mm from the discharge holes (27) by an outer gas stream (8) and afterwards depositing them as nonwoven fabric (15) on a circulating, air-permeable carrier (12). In addition to the outer gas stream (8) an inner gas stream (24) emerges at a lower velocity from a plurality of axial boreholes (23) in the nozzle head (6) at a smaller radial distance than the discharge holes (27). Owing to the centrifugal sweeping forces at the rotating nozzle head (6) a rotationally symmetrical flow field then developes with a predominantly radial velocity component, the temperature of the gas being equal to or greater than the nozzle head temperature.

Abstract: A method of producing a pure enstatite material involves dissolving thermally decomposable magnesium and silicon compounds, generating an aerosol from the solution(s), subjecting the aerosol droplets to a thermal influence to convert the droplets into solid particles, dispersing the particles in an organic liquid to form a colloidal sol, subjecting the sol to a gelling agent to form a semi-solid gel, drying the gel and sintering the dried gel to a dense enstatite body.

Abstract: Epoxy-based nonwoven webs are provided. The webs are formed by meltblowing a blend of an epoxy resin and a polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer. Whereas epoxy resins by themselves produce nonwoven webs which are brittle and glassy, epoxy/PCL blends have been found to produce webs which have good flexibility and elongation and are not glassy. If desired, once formed, the epoxy/PCL webs can be cured with, for example, an epoxy crosslinking agent to produce webs having enhanced solvent resistance properties.

Abstract: Polypropylene articles are provided. The polypropylene articles include non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene having olefinic unsaturation-containing monomers graft-polymerized thereon by ionizing radiation in a dosage sufficient to degrade crystalline polypropylene. The irradiated polypropylene articles retain useful tensile properties after storage periods of as long as at least about four months.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nonwoven wiper comprising a composite web made of a number of interbonded layers of meltblown thermoplastic fibers. The outer layers have average pore sizes greater than 20 microns and preferably greater than 40 microns for rapid pick up of liquid. The internal layers have average pore sizes between 10-20 microns for liquid holding capacity.

Abstract: Electrostatic spinning method for producing tubular fibrous structures from fiberizable material wherein the fiberizable material is collected on an electrostatically charged mandrel wherein the fiberizable material takes different paths from the source to the mandrel to produce a structure of smaller diameter fibers randomly oriented, larger diameter fibers and/or bundles of fibers circumferentially oriented and elongated voids circumferentially oriented.

Abstract: A metal extrusion process and apparatus in which a semisolid material is fed into a passageway formed between first and second members, with one of the members being moved toward a die such that the semisolid material is drawn through the passageway and solidifies before passing through the die means.

Abstract: A metal extrusion process and apparatus in wich a semisolid material is fed into a passageway formed between first and second members, with one of the members being moved toward a die such that the moveable member draws the semisolid material through the passageway and through the die means.

Abstract: Manufacture of granulated self-sintering carbonaceous pulverulent body suitable for precise complicated molding in high speed productivity is conducted in the presence of a wetting agent and a binding agent in the water-pulverulent mixture by using spray drying machine in the atmosphere of the hot air kept at a temperature up to 200.degree. C. optionally in admixture with superheated steam kept at a temperature up to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of producing a voltage nonlinear ZnO varistor in which seed grains of ZnO are produced by spray drying a slurry of ZnO particles and then sintering the dried slurry to form seed grains having a size of 10 to 100.mu.m. The seed grains are mixed with a ZnO powder of particles of much smaller size than the seed grains and a small amount of an auxiliary component. The mixture is then molded and sintered to form the varistor element to which electrodes are attached.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production and processing of mixtures of pluralities of components based upon reactant synthetic resins, wherein the mixture or at least a part of the components thereof is cooled by addition, and mixing in, of cryogenic liquid gas before or during the subsequent treatment of the mixture until a temperature is reached which allows an essentially dry treatment subsequently. The reactant plastic mixture can be cooled in the liquid state by cryogenic liquid gas to provide granulation or pulverization by cold shock. The mixture can also be cooled by the introduction thereof into a bath of cryogenic liquid gas. The mixture can also be sprayed under pressure, with the sprayed particles then being cooled directly, or indirectly, by cryogenic liquid gas.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of binders may be used to make a slurry of a ceramic material. The slurry may then be shaped to a green part by conventional techniques such as tape casting. The slurry may be spray dried to give a free flowing powder which may be formed by dry pressing, roll compaction or other similar techniques. The tensile strength of the green part may be increased by subjecting the green part to an energy treatment such as heat or irradiation including ultraviolet (UV), X-rays and electron beams.

Abstract: A method of making a translucent alumina article is described. The method comprises the following steps:Step 1 - An alumina powder and a sintering aid are mixed in a liquid for a period sufficient to form a homogeneous slurry.Step 2 - The homogeneous slurry from Step 1 is dried remove the liquid to form a dried powder.Step 3 - The dried powder is shaped to form a compacted green body.Step 4 - The compacted green body from Step 3 is heated at a temperature equal to or less than 500.degree. C. and for a period sufficient to form a compacted green body having a density of at least 30% of theoretical density.Step 5 - The compacted green body having a density of at least 30% of theoretical density from Step 4 is heated at a temperature from about 800.degree. C. to about 1300.degree. C. in an oxygen containing atmosphere for a period sufficient to impart green strength to said compacted green body to form a prefired compacted green body.

Abstract: The polymer granular melt (1) is whirled out of a rotating nozzle head (6) through a plurality of exit holes (24) with fibre formation (32) and the fibres formed (9) are deposited on a collecting surface (12) in web form (15). This polymer melt is introduced into the nozzle head (6) under a preliminary pressure of 1 bar to 200 bar, preferably 1 bar to 50 bar. Furthermore, the fibres (32) are deflected by a high-speed gas stream (7, 8) in a radial direction at a radial distance of 10 mm to 200 mm from the exit holes (24) and, in the course of being deflected, are simultaneously drawn and stretched. The melt streams (32) exiting from the exit holes (24) can be additionally drawn by gas streams (26, 34) exiting in the vicinity of the exit holes (24) at the nozzle head (6) with a predominantly radial component before coming under the influence of the axial deflecting gas stream (7, 8).

Abstract: A drain plug, which has a hollow cylindrical body, an expander assembly within the body and a manually manipulatable handle, is fabricated of a material such that the drain plug floats. The handle is connected to the expander assembly and when the handle is moved in a cam or rotational movement, the expander assembly is moved axially within the body. This axial movement expands the body of the drain plug such that the drain plug closes the drain opening and contracts the body of the drain plug for ease of removal from the drain opening. The expander assembly seals the end of the body and is secured within the body so it does not move when the handle is rotated.

Abstract: Irradiated polypropylene articles of non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene and a method for preparing the articles are provided. The articles are irradiated with a sterilizing dosage of ionizing radiation. The irradiated articles such as films and blown microfiber webs are substantially undegraded after storage periods of as long as six months.

Abstract: A process for making a melt-blown nonwoven polymeric web for use as a liquid filter medium includes increasing the air (fluid) flow and the forming distance to produce a filter medium that is more bulky and more permeable and therefore resists plugging. The melt-blown process parameters include a polymer through-put between 1.8 and 2.9 PIH, a polymer melt temperature between 530.degree. and 600.degree. F., and air flow rate between 200 and 265 SCFM per square inch, air temperature between 500.degree. and 600.degree. F., forming distance between 12 and 23 inches, and a collector vacuum between 0.5 and 1.0 inch of water.

Abstract: Microfiber microwebs are provided. The microfiber microwebs have relatively dense nuclei with individual fibers and/or fiber bundles protruding therefrom. The microfiber microwebs can be incorporated into nonwoven webs of blown microfibers, air-laid staple fibers, or wood pulp fibers as well as into shaped articles having porous covering materials. The microfiber microwebs are useful in sorbent, filtration, and thermal insulation materials. The microfiber microwebs are prepared by divellicating a microfiber web to form discrete particles of microfiber microwebs.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a low density ceramic powder which can be formed to make a lightweight material for insulation or other construction. The ceramic product made from the process has a final density of less than 25% to about 1% of its theoretical weight of the ceramic powder. The ceramic product is lightweight and can be made to withstand high temperatures greater than 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: For the continuous automated production of powders that are well suited for hot pressing--i.e. those consisting essentially of spherical or cubic particles, of high-temperature resistant polymers without damage to the polymer structure in the course of the production process, a concentrated solution of the polymer in an aprotic polar solvent is continuously expressed into a twisting cone of hot aqueous precipitant. In doing so, short irregular wormy formations form, which are united to a fleece-like web, washed with aqueous solvents and finally with water, dried and comminuted. The plant provided for carrying out the process requires comparatively little space, since it does not include treatment tanks for extraction and drying.

Abstract: A process for producing desired sized product granules characterized by dispensing on a flat moving horizontal bed product particulates from a heat exchange assembly, then mixing the product particulates with seed material by a mixing means for a period of time to produce the desired sized product granules.