Abstract: Superabsorbent articles in the form of soft, nonwoven fibrous webs are produced from aqueous fiber-forming polymer solutions by forming the polymer into water soluble filaments, contacting the filaments with a primary air stream having a velocity effective to attenuate and to partially dry the filaments, contacting the attenuated filaments with a secondary air stream having a velocity effective to fragment the filaments into fibers and to transport the fibers to a web-forming zone while also further attenuating and drying the fibers, collecting the fibers in reticulated web-form in the web-forming zone and curing the web to a water insoluble state. The temperature and air stream velocities are controlled with respect to ambient humidity and water content of the fiber during the fiber and web formation such that the fibers are collected without sticking. Collection is preferably on a wire belt followed by transport through a curing oven to compacting rolls and web take-up.

Abstract: A process for making foam-like material to form useful structures having a plurality of beads held together by a medium molded into a desired shape with interstices formed between the beads.

Abstract: Method for the production of building elements preferably brick facings by granulation of a mixture of 40-60% by weight of cement, 60-40% by weight of aggregate, 0.5-2% by weight of thickening agent such as carboxymethylcellulose and preferably coloring agent or one or more additives and water in an amount of 8-17% by weight based on the dry matter of the mixture, hot pressing the granules under a pressure of 50-100 kg/cm.sup.2 and at a temperature above 100.degree. C. to form single elements or a string, and cutting the string into single elements, and storing the elements in a humid atmosphere until a considerable setting of the cement has taken place. The method is considerably simpler and quicker than the known methods for the production of brick facings.

Abstract: Low viscosity ethylene acrylic copolymers and blends thereof with other fiber-forming polymers for spunbond and melt blown nonwoven applications. Ethylene/alkyl (meth) acrylate, especially ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymers are found to be suitable for fiber-forming operations, especially melt blowing when the melt index is at least about 10. Blends of the copolymer with other fiber-forming polymers are especially suitable for fiber-forming operations. The nonwoven products of the copolymers and blends of the invention show a good degree of elongation making them especially suitable for certain fabric applications and new uses. The nonwoven fabrics are comprised of fibers of the copolymers and blends, having a diameter of about 1-40 microns. Larger fibers may also be formed by various techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing thermoelectric material which has the steps of quenching a thermoelectric alloy in a molten state at a quenching rate higher than 10.sup.3 .degree. C./sec into a membrane or powdery form and subjecting the membrane or powder to cold-forming or sintering. The thermoelectric alloy is a Bi--Sb series alloy having a composition represented by{(Bi.sub.100-x .multidot.Sb.sub.x).sub.100-y .multidot.E.sup.II.sub.y }.sub.100-z .multidot.E.sup.I.sub.zwhere E.sup.I represents a group III or group IV element, E.sup.II represents a group IV or group VI element, x represents a number of 5-20, y represents an integer of 0-20 and z represents a number of 0.05-10, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for producing a carbon fiber mat, having excellent production and energy efficiencies, comprising successively melt-spinning a fiber-forming pitch by a centrifugal spinning machine having a horizontal axis of rotation (parallel to the plane on which the spinning machine is placed), forming a mat by the thus spun pitch fibers, bringing the mat into an infusibilized state in an air atmosphere containing NO.sub.2 and calcining the thus infusibilized mat in an inert atmosphere, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-mentioned process.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of ultrafine powder. The powder is produced by spark erosion within an electric discharge cell. The starting material for production of the powder is a body in chunk form of the material to be pulverized. The material is contained in an electric discharge cell having a fine mesh screen bottom. The cell and its contents are immersed in a dielectric fluid such as water, liquified gas or an organic base liquid. The cell and its contents are vibrated to cause the chunks to separate repeatedly and momentarily. A sparking voltage is impressed repeatedly through the body to develop sparks between confronting portions of separated chunk surfaces. Small particles produced as a result of the sparking fall through the screen of the cell and are collected as product.

Abstract: Fiber mats formed by attenuating molten streams of attenuable mineral material by subjecting the streams to the action of a hot attenuating gas blast. The gas blast induces gas from the surrounding atmosphere, and the combined blast and induced gas forming a fiber-carrying current. The current is directed toward a preforated fiber-collecting conveyor on which the fibers are deposited in the form of a mat and the gas of the current passes through the conveyor. Provision is made for withdrawing a peripheral portion of the fiber-carrying current at a point intermediate the zone of attenuation and the perforated fiber-collecting conveyor.

Abstract: Solid films are deposited, or fine powders formed, by dissolving a solid material into a supercritical fluid solution at an elevated pressure and then rapidly expanding the solution through a heated nozzle having a short orifice into a region of relatively low pressure. This produces a molecular spray which is directed against a substrate to deposit a solid thin film thereon, or discharged into a collection chamber to collect a fine powder. In another embodiment, the temperature of the solution and nozzle is elevated above the melting point of the solute, which is preferably a polymer, and the solution is maintained at a pressure such that, during expansion, the solute precipitates out of solution within the nozzle in a liquid state. Alternatively, a secondary solvent mutually soluble with the solute and primary solvent and having a higher critical temperature than that of primary solvent is used in a low concentration (<20%) to maintain the solute in a transient liquid state.

Abstract: A process for producing toughened ceramic composites from ceramic precursor materials by forming microcomposite particles from the ceramic precursor materials to produce microstructures that impart enhanced toughness to the particles. The microcomposite particles are consolidated at a pressure, a temperature and for a time sufficient to form bulk ceramic components that exhibit the general microstructure and toughness of the microcomposite particles while the temperature is maintained above that where particle consolidation occurs but below the eutectic or melting temperature of the matrix. The consolidated product retains the toughness of the microcomposite particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anhydrous crystals of maltitol and the whole crystalline hydrogenated starch hydrolysate mixture solid containing the crystals, and processes for the production and use thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous processing of metal between molten and bright hot rolled stages includes the production of uniform liquid metal droplets at the top of a shot tower containing inert gas, forming and maintaining columns of closely spaced but separate metal droplets, retarding the flow of said droplets to a slow, substantially constant, velocity and cooling the droplets principally by radiation to at least partial solidification, collecting the at least partially solidified droplets in a bottomless receptacle in a weakly cohesive column, passing said column into the bite of a pair of mill rolls, rolling the said column into a rolled product, and cooling the rolled product by arc contact with off-set colling/flatening rolls and by radiation and convection cooling in an inert gas.

Abstract: Elastomeric materials such as elastomeric nonwoven webs of elastomeric meltblown fibers, elastomeric films or elastomeric molded materials are attained by forming, e.g., extruding or meltblowing, a polystyrenic poly(ethylenebutylene) thermoplastic block copolymer at elevated temperatures of at least about 290 degrees Centigrade, e.g., from about 290 degrees Centigrade to 345 degrees Centigrade. The resulting products retain good elastic elongation and strength properties. In the case of elastomeric nonwoven webs of elastomeric fibers, other fibers such as cellulosic fibers, e.g., cotton fibers, may be combined with the elastomeric fibers by known methods to provide an elastomeric nonwoven web comprising a blend of the elastomeric fibers with other fibers. Such web or film materials are useful generally in applications utilizing webs or sheets of elastic fabrics or the like, for example, in making composite materials in which an elastic layer of material is bonded to a gatherable web.

Abstract: Preparation of products having a tubular portion comprising electrostatically spinning a fiberizable liquid, the electrostatic field being distorted by the presence of an auxiliary electrode, preferably so as to encourage the deposition of circumferential fibers.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy compositions and related fabrication techniques are described. Articles made of the composition by the process contain a novel dispersed strengthening phase based on iron and refractory metals. Rapid solidification techniques are used to assure a fine distribution of this phase. Articles made according to the invention have mechanical properties significantly in excess of those of conventional aluminum alloys.

Abstract: Prilled wax particles are coated by tumbling and rubbing the particles and a scenting and/or a coloring agent together in a flexible container, either by hand kneading or with a mechanical agitator. Liquid carriers compatible with the wax particles are included in the coloring and scenting agents to facilitate absorption of the agents into the particles. A candle is subsequently formed by molding the coated particles under pressure with a central wick into either a free standing form or pressed into a surrounding container.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, apparatus for the production of atomized metal is provided comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in an end wall through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source enter the vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. A restricted air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from the end plate, the sidewall and the end plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal. The source of molten metal includes a reservoir having at least a portion above the nozzle means whereby the metal level in the reservoir provides an adjustable pressure head for the metal entering the vessel through the nozzle means which is adjusted by varying the level of the molten metal in the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved system for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The system comprises a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to an endwall, a source of metal external to said vessel and nozzle means carried by said endwall, said nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between said vessel and said external source of metal, the sidewall and endwall cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of said vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent said source of molten metal. Further, the system comprises a source of atomizing gas flowing through said nozzle means into said vessel and means for redirecting said atomizing gas flowing into said vessel into said central bore to remove deposition in said bore.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for the production of particulate metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall extending to an endwall, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the endwall, the nozzle means including a central bore and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, the sidewall and endwall cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal, a source of atomizing gas flowing through the nozzle means into the vessel, and means for removing depositions in the bore including a source of purging gas directable into the bore.

Abstract: Spherical particles of polycrystalline silicon carbide having a density greater than 80% of the theoretical density for silicon carbide and having an average diameter ranging from about 10 microns to about 5000 microns are produced by forming spherical agglomerates of a sinterable silicon carbide powder and sintering the agglomerates at a temperature ranging from about 1900.degree. C. to about 2300.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: An aromatic polyamide paper-like sheet having excellent heat- and chemical- resistances and electric insulating properties, comprises an artificial pulp ingredient comprising a number of amorphous pulp particles consisting of an aromatic polyamide material, and a fiber ingredient consisting of a number of short fibers bonded to each other with the amorphous pulp particles, the ratio in weight of the artificial pulp ingredient to the fiber ingredient being in a range of from 1:9 to 9:1 and the aromatic polyamide molecules contained at least in the amorphous pulp particles being cross-linked with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: An isentropic compressive wave generator and method of making same. The w generator comprises a disk or flat "pillow" member having component materials of different shock impedances formed in a configuration resulting in a smooth shock impedance gradient over the thickness thereof for interpositioning between an impactor member and a target specimen for producing a shock wave of a smooth predictable rise time. The method of making the pillow member comprises the reduction of the component materials to a powder form and forming the pillow member by sedimentation and compressive techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyoxymethylene fibrids with a reduced specific viscosity of 0.4 to 2.0 dl/g, a specific surface area of 50 to 200 m.sup.2 /g and a freeness of 30.degree. to 80.degree. SR. The fibrids are produced by flash-evaporation of a superheated solution of the polymer, a mixture of 50-95% by weight of a lower alcohol with 1-4 C atoms and 5-50% by weight of water being used as the solvent and are suitable for the production of paper.

Abstract: A silver-tin-copper master alloy powder useful as a dental filling when amalgamated with mercury and having improved properties for that utility can be obtained by the steps of:(a) pulverizing an alloy containing silver, tin and copper into a first spherical powder by high pressure water, inert gas or similar pulverization(b) drying and forming said first powder into a coherent shaped article;(c) sintering the shaped article at an elevated temperature; and(d) pulverizing the sintered shaped article by machining into a master alloy powder.

Abstract: A process for producing high strength sintered bauxite spheres usable as fracture propping agents in oil or gas wells are produced by continuous spray-granulation of an aqueous binder-containing aluminous ore suspension to form granules which are subsequently sintered. Suitable starting materials include ores of high aluminum silicate content.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to strengthening carbon-black particulate "Teflon" (PTFE) mixes destined to be formed into active layers in air cathodes, which comprises mixing an aqueous dispersion of particulate polytetrafluoroethylene with an aqueous suspension of particulate carbon-black; washing and drying; mixing with a pore-forming agent; fibrillating said mixtures; washing and drying; adding polytetrafluoroethylene fibers while chopping said dried fibrillated mixture and thereafter forming said chopped mixture into a sheet, which was washed and dried.

Abstract: In the manufacture of mineral-wool mats or slabs, the raw materials are melted in a melting furnace and are spun to fibers in a spinner. The fibers, after admixture of a resin binder, are deposited so as to be formed to wool mats in a collecting chamber, then cured, trimmed at the sides and cut up into lengths. Both during spinning and during trimming, cutting up into lengths and a subsequent final inspection and check for defects, waste products arise. In order not to have to deliver these waste products, as hitherto, to a proper dump but, instead, to be able to recycle them direct to the production process, the waste products are broken up into smaller pieces and/or unravelled, heated and then briquetted while hot, whereupon the briquettes, possibly after cooling down and interim storage, are combined with the raw materials which are to be melted and thus returned via the melting furnace into the production process.

Abstract: Small rotund magnesium (or Mg alloy) granules dispersed in a friable salt matrix are obtained by preparing a molten salt mixture containing molten magnesium (or Mg alloy), stirring to effect good dispersion, and cooling the molten mixture to effect freezing of the magnesium (or Mg alloy) as small rotund globules dispersed in a solid friable salt matrix.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for producing frozen particulate compositions from liquid feedstock. A continuous stream of liquid feedstock is passed through an orifice and into a liquid freezant without the orifice contacting the freezant. Compositions produced by this improved method have low proportions of fine and large particles, yielding particularly beneficial results in the case of quality control materials. The compositions are advantageously employed in automated weighing and filling apparatus.

Abstract: In order to prevent a protective carbide layer on a graphitic molded article from splitting off under thermal stress, an external carbide layer is provided on a graphitic molded article having a graded content of silicon or zirconium (in the carbide state) that increases from near zero at the interior boundary of the layer to about 50 atomic percent at the exterior. Such a layer is produced either by dipping the graphitic molded article into melted silicon, dipping it into a succession of suspensions of carbon and either silicon or zirconium, with a greater silicon or zirconium content in each successive dip, the suspensions also including a binder resin, or by applying layers of a paste of carbon and either silicon or zirconium, also with some resin, each successive layer having a higher silicon or zirconium content.

Abstract: Bulk shapes and solid structures of amorphous metals formed of micron sized particles produced by droplet emulsion technique whereby undercooled droplets are solidified in the amorphous state with a stabilizing coating on the surfaces thereof, the shapes and solid structures being formed by dispersing the stabilizing coating and bringing the particles into intimate metal to metal contact for atomic bonding, without raising the temperature to crystallization temperature.

Abstract: Small rotund magnesium (or Mg alloy) granules dispersed in a friable salt matrix are obtained by preparing a molten salt mixture containing molten magnesium (or Mg alloy), stirring to effect good dispersion, and cooling the molten mixture to effect freezing of the magnesium (or Mg alloy) as small rotund globules dispersed in a solid friable salt matrix.

Abstract: Many ceramics are produced with a processing sequence that includes spray drying or ball milling a slurry. To produce ceramics with the best properties and to facilitate ball milling or spray drying, a dispersant is normally added to the ceramic slurry. Ammonium citrate and polyethylenimine have been found to produce ceramic slurries with the desired characteristics. The dispersants appear especially well suited for use with ferrite slurries.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein solid mixtures of metal chlorides of, for example, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, vanadium chloride and chromium chloride are (1) mixed with an alkaline material such as, for example, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate, followed (2) by adding water to the resulting mixture to granulate said mixture whereby the metal chlorides are rendered substantially insoluble in water.

Abstract: A solution of elastomeric polyurethane in a volatile solvent is centrifugally sprayed onto a base in a strong electrostatic field to form long fibers that are swept across the base and deposited thereon in generally straight condition, overlapping and adhered to previously deposited fibers. Novel fibrous sheets of high strength are thus produced. The intersecting fibers may be ribbon-like.

Abstract: A method for economically manufacturing high-grade pellets for metallurgical use in a blast furnace from several grades of iron ores, which method can produce high-strength green pellets and save grinding cost by preferentially grinding only ores having a W.I. value not higher than 20 KWH/T, thus relatively easy to grind ores, and mixing the thus ground ores with ores which are hard to grind, in an agglomerating (lump-making) step, such as a pelletizing step.

Abstract: An electrical insulation system includes a new and improved monolithic, polymeric, porous, open cell, fully impregnable, dielectric solid and an impregnating substance that may be applied to the dielectric solid either at the factory prior to shipment or in the field prior to or during installation. The dielectric solid is preformed to enable the quick and easy field installation of the insulation system in electrical apparatus. In addition, the porous, open cell nature of the dielectric solid in which very small communicating open cells are substantially evenly distributed throughout substantially all of the dielectric solid enables a dielectric fluid, such as a dielectric oil, to pass through the dielectric solid and thereby impart the self-healing characteristic of impregnated layered paper insulation to the new and improved insulation system. In a fluid dielectric system, the impregnating substance may be a dielectric oil or other dielectric liquid.

Abstract: Method of making structural members from pliant, porous, solvent-free prepreg sheet comprising fusible resin microfibers and heat-resistant reinforcing fibers, which microfibers provide a lofty, clinging surface quality and fuse under heat and pressure to provide an essentially void-free matrix for the reinforcing fibers. Pieces of the novel prepreg sheet are conveniently molded under heat and pressure to provide laminated structural members.

Abstract: A method of making a homogeneous ZnO sintered resistor body, having a substantially uniform density, which can exhibit non-linear V-I characteristics by a bulk effect, comprises the steps of: (1) mixing about 75 mole % to about 98 mole % of small, finely divided, solid ZnO and about 2 mole % to about 25 mole % of at least one small, finely divided, solid additive effective to produce non-linear characteristics within the body, preferably one or more oxides selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, FeO, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, Sn.sub.3 O.sub.4, Mo.sub.2 O, SiO.sub.2, BaO, SrO, PbO, NiO, CaO, MgO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, CoO, MnO, MnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, and Sb.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: System for suppression of pollution in fiber attenuating operations, especially in mineral fiber insulation blanket production. The system disclosed provides gas blast attenuation of the attenuable material in a fiber forming chamber and for recirculation of attenuating gases and for discharge of a portion of the gases by means of a controllable blower. The operation of the blower is regulated by a pressure sensor responsive to the pressure in the forming section.

Abstract: This invention provides spheres of high molecular weight thermoplastics filled with short glass fibers which may be easily metered, incorporated into thermoplastic resins or fused into glass mats or shaped articles. It also provides a method of producing such spheres by treating glass fibers with a dilute (1 to 30 wt% strength) solution of the plastic having a viscosity of less than 1,000 cP. The fibers are rotated with the polymer solution and the solvent is subsequently evaporated off. Preferably, the coating plastic is a high molecular weight thermoplastic.

Abstract: The method of impregnating substantial amounts of asphalt into fiberboard. Melted asphalt having desired properties for use with fiberboard is atomized and then chilled by passage through cold water sprays, and into a cellulose-fiber-containing slurry. The asphalt used has a high penetration at elevated temperatures and is atomized at a lower temperature than is ordinarily utilized in producing atomized asphalt. The slurry may then be pumped into a chest, stored therein, pumped into a deculator, and then to a head box and flowed on to the wire screen of a Fourdrinier machine, forming a wet mat. Or, the asphalt-containing slurry may be further asphalt-enriched by spraying atomized asphalt into it as previously, and then pumped into a chest enroute to a Fourdrinier machine. Water drains through the wire screen, and the mat then goes to the dryer. The slurry-handling and the board-forming steps are conventional.

Abstract: Self-bonded webs of non-woven carbon fibers in the form of blankets, felt, paper, fiberboard, and the like, are produced by spinning a carbonaceous pitch having a mesophase content of from about 40 percent by weight to about 90 percent by weight to form carbonaceous pitch fiber; disposing staple lengths of the spun fiber in intimately contacting relationship with each other in a non-woven fibrous web; heating the web produced in this manner in an oxidizing atmosphere to thermoset the surfaces of the fibers to an extent which will allow the fibers to maintain their shape upon heating to more elevated temperatures but insufficient to thermoset the interior portions of the fibers; heating the web containing the externally thermoset fibers under compressive pressure in an oxygen-free atmosphere to a temperature sufficiently elevated to cause the mesophase pitch in the unoxidized interior portions of the fibers to undergo liquid flow and exude through surface pores or flaws in the fibers and contact the surfaces o

Abstract: A method for producing a nonwoven fabric-like material by a melt blowing technique. Conventional melt blowing equipment is used to form a gas stream containing melt blown microfibers comprising generally discontinuous thermoplastic polymeric microfibers having an average fiber diameter of up to about 10 microns. A liquid, such as water, is sprayed into the gas stream to rapidly cool the fibers and the gas, thereby allowing the production of high quality product at production rates significantly higher than in conventional melt blowing technology. In the final integrated fibrous mat formed on the forming surface, the microfibers are held together by gross mechanical entanglement with each other.