Abstract: Solid particulate waste material is coated with a thermosetting resin which is compressed and cured to form a rigid core. The rigid core is coated with a flexible thermoplastic resin to provide a sealed encapsulated waste agglomerate which can withstand moderate compressive loads.

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 making metallic glass powder is disclosed. A jet of a molten glass forming metal alloy is impinged under an acute angle against the inner surface of a rotating cylindrical chill body, whereon it is atomized into a stream of droplets of molten alloy, which again impinge on the chill surface to be rapidly quenched into metallic glass powder.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for forming encapsulated material. Centrifugal force developed by a rotating nozzle having a plurality of radial orifices is used for extruding material to be encapsulated. The nozzle is mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis and is provided with a circumferential outside surface near its bottom inclined upwardly away from the axis of the nozzle which, when partially submerged in a liquid during rotation, impels a sheet or spray of the liquid along the circumferential surface and shears off successive leading tips of extruded material to form capsules.

Abstract: Molten sulfur is fed at a controlled flow rate into a spinning vessel located in an enclosure. Air is supplied to the enclosure by an evaporative cooler. A ring of sulfur ejecting nozzles each have an inlet communicating with the periphery of the vessel interior and an outlet communicating with the air in the enclosure. The molten sulfur is fed to the vessel at a rate lower than its discharge capacity. The sulfur is ejected from the nozzles at a temperature providing low viscosity directly into a cooling zone where its viscosity is rapidly increased and subsequently is atomized and cooled by fans on both sides of the ring of nozzles into which water is sprayed to form solid particles before appreciable agglomeration of the solid particle takes place. The solid particles are removed from the enclosure in a mixture with a substantial quantity of water saturated air, and then separated from the air by a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: High-purity metal powder is made by the electron beam melting of a starting material in rod form in a vacuum wherein the molten metal is momentarily caught on a spinning plate rotating at high speed and flung therefrom and thereafter solidified by cooling. The metal on the spinning plate is bombarded with an electron beam that is so focused and periodically deflected that its focal spot is many times smaller than the diameter of the spinning plate. The beam deflection between the rotational center of the spinning plate and its marginal area is performed such that the spinning plate is scanned in a zone that extends radially of the axis of rotation of the spinning plate and is small in relation to its diameter. Cooling of the metal particles to the point of solidification is accomplished by radiation loss.

Abstract: An apparatus is set forth wherein powder is produced by melting metal in a melting furnace and then directing it onto an atomizer rotor or cup. The atomizer cup is positioned to receive molten metal at the center thereof and is rotated by any means desired. The cup comprises an outer metal cup fixed to the top of a rotating shaft, with an inner cup mounted in the center thereof and spaced therefrom by an outwardly extending flange at the top. A low conductivity thermal insulation is provided between the cups, and the inner cup is coated with a ceramic such as by plasma or flame spray. The inner cup is tapered inwardly as it extends from its bottom to the top edge to provide an annular pool of molten metal around the inner surface permitting the liquid metal to attain the peripheral speed fo the spinning cup as it moves from the center of the cup to the top edge.A heater is provided to preheat the cup and during operation to aid in keeping the cup surface above the melting point of the liquid metal.

Abstract: A method for producing flake particles by projecting a continuing stream of molten material upon the surface of a rotating generally circular, heat extracting drum, having a serrated edge with each serration comprising a radial surface and an angularly disposed connecting surface from the base of one radial surface to the peripheral extremity of the adjacent radial surface; and rotating the heat extracting drum at a speed relative to the size and shape of the serrations and relative to the rate of molten material projection to form a discrete flake particle on each angularly disposed surface; followed by removing each particle from the surface after each particle is at least partially solidified; and cooling the particles in a surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of forming fibers from a flowable thermoplastic forming material wherein the fiber forming material is fed onto an outer surface of a spinning element which tapers inwardly to a terminal point and sweeping the fiber forming material with a flow of heated fluid along the surface of the spinning element and spinning the fiber forming material from the terminal point into congealed fibers under the continued influence of the sweeping fluid, cooling the uncongealed fibers to form a uniform suspension in the sweeping fluid and collecting the congealed fibers.

Abstract: A rotary liquid metal atomizer is positioned to receive a stream of molten metal on the top thereof. The atomizer is formed as a hollow disc means having a concave top surface and mounted for rotation at high R. P. M.'s on the top of a hollow drive shaft. A circular coolant baffle is located in the hollow disc means, for cooling fluid to flow around, and is mounted on the top of an inlet cooling tube located within the drive shaft. Cooling fluid is directed through the inlet cooling tube to the top of the water baffle where it flows through a hole in the center thereof and around the space between the baffle and the interior of the hollow disc means and down between the inlet cooling tube and drive shaft. The top of the disc means over the coolant baffle is formed of copper. A metal rim is placed around the upper outer periphery of the copper disc forming a recessed center portion. A ceramic coating is placed in the recessed portion with its outer edge against the inside of the rim.

Abstract: A method of spinning fibres from a liquid, particularly a liquid urea formaldehyde resin, which comprises the step of supplying the liquid to at least one rotating annular reservoir having an outwardly extending upper and/or lower weir, and causing the liquid to flow outwardly over the said weir(s) and to be spun outwardly therefrom in the form of fibres by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A rotary liquid metal atomizer is positioned to receive a stream of molten metal on the top thereof. The atomizer is formed as a hollow disc means having a concave top surface and mounted for rotation at high R. P. M.'s on the top of a hollow drive shaft. A circular coolant baffle is located in the hollow disc means, for cooling fluid to flow around, and is mounted on the top of an inlet cooling tube located within the drive shaft. Cooling fluid is directed through the inlet cooling tube to the top of the water baffle where it flows through a hole in the center thereof and around the space between the baffle and the interior of the hollow disc means and down between the inlet cooling tube and drive shaft. The top of the disc means over the coolant baffle is formed of copper. A metal rim is placed around the upper outer periphery of the copper disc forming a recessed center portion. A ceramic coating is placed in the recessed portion with its outer edge against the inside of the rim.

Abstract: Formaldehyde resin fibres, in particular urea formaldehyde resin fibres, are produced by introducing a liquid formaldehyde resin and a catalyst into a spinning cup in the presence of cold humid air which inhibits drying and reaction, centrifugally spinning fibres from the cup into the path of hot air currents, at between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C., which dry the fibres without curing them, and curing and chemically stabilizing the dry fibres by heating at above 100.degree. C. until they are insoluble in cold water.

Abstract: A method for producing metal flake of small length-to-width ratio or small length-to-thickness ratio directly from a pool or like source of molten metal or molten inorganic compound, or from an unconfined drop of molten metal or an unconfined drop of molten inorganic compound having a surface tension and viscosity similar to that of molten metal, consisting of forming such products by the application of a rotating, generally circular serrated edge, heat-extracting disk-like member to the surface of the pool of molten material so as to form the material into discrete flake particles by extracting the flake particles from the supply of molten material; and controlling the final shape of the product by the physical shape of the member, the temperature and material composition of the melt, as well as the velocity of the member in contact with the melt.

Abstract: Methods of making finely divided product from fly ash compositions, including both dry fly ash compositions and aqueous suspensions of fly ash in combination with alkaline earth metal compounds. The fly ash composition, preferably including 10 to 50% combined alkaline earth metal oxides, is heated to molten condition while collecting gases evolving therefrom, including sulfur oxide gases. The top portion of the melt is then poured in a manner causing a molten stream thereof to be divided into a multiplicity of fractions and cooled to solid form while encompassed by a fluid cooling medium in a manner to produce either a shot or a granulated aggregate product. The bottom portion of the melt is nearly pure metallic iron which is recovered, as such, for other uses. Preferably, the molten stream impinges on a rotating member in a manner to produce shot, or is quenched in a water bath to form a granulated type product.

Abstract: Molten sulfur is fed at a controlled flow rate into a spinning vessel located in an enclosure. A ring of sulfur ejecting nozzles each have an inlet communicating with a conduit that extends tangentially from the periphery of the vessel interior and an outlet communicating with the air in the enclosure. As the sulfur is ejected from the nozzles, it is atomized. The atomized sulfur is further cooled to form solid particles before appreciable agglomeration takes place by fans on both sides of the ring of nozzles into which cooling water is ejected and evaporated. Each nozzle has a deflector at its outlet, and adjustable protrusions that interrupt the flow at the nozzle outlet to control the particle size. The solid particles are removed from the enclosure, thoroughly mixed with a substantial quantity of air, and then separated from the air by a cyclone centrifugal separator.

Abstract: In a process for the production of fibre filters, the fibre material is sprayed electrostatically from the liquid state and deposited as a fibre fleece on a conductive support. The starting materials used are solutions of high polymers in readily volatile solvents. The filters obtained have substantially improved properties.

Abstract: A rotary liquid metal atomizer is positioned to receive a stream of molten metal on the top thereof. The atomizer is formed as a hollow disc means having a concave top surface and mounted for rotation at high RPM's on the top of a hollow drive shaft. A circular coolant baffle is located in the hollow disc means having radial passageways on the top and bottom thereof and connected at the outer periphery for cooling fluid to flow around, and is mounted on the top of an inlet cooling tube located within the drive shaft. Cooling fluid is directed through the inlet cooling tube to the top of the water baffle wherein it flows through a hole in the center thereof and through the passageways between the baffle and the interior of the hollow disc means and down between the inlet cooling tube and drive shaft. A pin fixes the baffle to the disc means. The top of the disc means over the coolant baffle is formed of copper.

Abstract: Molten aluminous oxide abrasive, particularly molten mixtures of alumina and zirconia, are rapidly cooled and solidified by pouring into an agitated molten metal bath, having a boiling point above the temperature of said molten abrasive, such as molten tin, while being protected from oxidation. The solidified abrasive particles float to the top of the metal bath, are removed and separated from adhering metal, as by centrifuging, and crushed to abrasive grit-sized particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing hollow metallic bodies by contacting flat droplets of a molten metal with a liquid capable of readily gasifying at a temperature lower than the melting point of said metal. Upon contact the liquid gasifies under the flat droplets and the gas pushes up the center of the flat droplets. The edges of the droplets fall because the vapor near the edges goes around the edges. As the middle of the droplets rises the surface tension of the droplets brings the edges together thereby forming the hollow metallic body.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and apparatus for forming filamentary material directly from a pendant drop of molten material, and provides for a significant improvement in the quench rate. A typical method of making filamentary material according to the invention, comprises the steps of: (a) heating a solid material, typically, a metal or metal alloy, so as to form a pendant molten drop of the material which is at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point in .degree.K, said molten material having a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for forming encapsulated material. Centrifugal force developed by a rotating nozzle having a plurality of radial orifices is used for extruding material to be encapsulated. The nozzle is mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis and is provided with a circumferential outside surface near its bottom inclined upwardly away from the axis of the nozzle which, when partially submerged in a liquid during rotation, impels a sheet or spray of the liquid along the circumferential surface and shears off successive leading tips of extruded material to form capsules.

Abstract: Expanded slag, especially blast-furnace slag of Thomas melts is made by passing the slag along a trough in which water is fed into a layer of the molten slag. The slag is then permitted to cascade downwardly along an inclined surface which is wetted with water and finally is dispersed by a rotating disintegration drum and curtain of finely divided water. The expanded slag has a lower density, a more complete expansion characteristic and a greater uniformity than conventionally produced expanded slags.

Abstract: An apparatus for making beads and a bead product are provided in the form of a member rotatable about a generally vertical axis having an outer peripheral edge adapted to discharge molten material in the form of pellets as the member rotates, means for creating heat on said member sufficient to maintain a molten layer of material being discharged on the walls of said member and fluid cooling means receiving discharged pellets which may be glassy generally spherical particles as solids or having frothy uniform voids surrounded by a glassy smooth surface or having integral crystalline elements.

Abstract: A wheel for use in mineral fiberizing processes of the type in which a stream of molten mineral matter is distributed from a rotating wheel is disclosed. The wheel according to the present invention has at least a portion of its surface which contacts the molten mineral matter liquid nitrided to increase wheel life and decrease the frequency of cleaning thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing mineral fibers by low pressure air fiberization having a housing defining a substantially toroidal air chamber formed of a forward vertical wall and having a substantially circular central opening, an annular slot provided around the central opening, and an air inlet provided at a portion of the chamber. A cup-form spinner is mounted on a substantially horizontally oriented shaft arranged to be rotated. The spinner is mounted in front of the forward wall of the plenum and with the open end facing the forward wall. A duct is provided to direct molten slag into the spinning cup which ejects molten slag into an air stream emitted from the annular slot of the chamber, thereby producing mineral fiber of excellent quality.

Abstract: Micron size polymer particles with narrow particle size distribution are prepared by dissolving the polymer in a suitable liquid solvent, impinging an atomized spray of the dissolved polymer on a moving film of a liquid in which the polymer is insoluble and then recovering the polymer particles from the resultant mixture of liquids.

Abstract: In a building material comprising an inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, alumina cement, calcium silicate, lime and gypsum, structurally reinforced with glass fibers, the improvement which comprises employing as said glass fibers alkali-resistant calcium silicate glass fibers spun and drawn from molten phosphorus slag, said fibers consisting essentially of approximately______________________________________ CaO 10-60% by weight SiO.sub.2 35-70 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 1-10 ZnO+ZrO.sub.2 +Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 +TiO.sub.2 0.1-10 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Na.sub.2 O <2.

Abstract: An apparatus is set forth wherein powder is produced by melting metal in a melting furnace where it is then poured into a tundish which directs the molten metal onto a spinning disc means. The tundish is located at the center of a nozzle plate which contains a plurality of annular nozzle means for directing a coolant flow downwardly around the spinning disc means at different radial positions. Controls are provided for controlling atmosphere in said apparatus. Further, controls are provided to control the speed of the disc means and the mass flow of the cooling fluid through each of the nozzle means.

Abstract: The centrifugal pelletizer proposed in the present invention is applicable for producing pellets from a molten metal, such as magnesium or aluminium. The pelletizer comprises a hollow drive shaft, which is enclosed in a housing and rotates in bearings, and a hollow transmission shaft accommodated in the hollow drive shaft so as to define an annular gap between it and said drive shaft. The bottom end of the transmission shaft is rigidly coupled to the drive shaft. In addition, the transmission shaft features a frictional coupling with the drive shaft provided in the bottom portion thereof. In such a centrifugal pelletizer any contact of the molten metal with the drive shaft is fully obviated, which provides for favorable conditions for operation of both said shaft and the bearings in which it rotates.

Abstract: A steel powder suited for powder metallurgical purposes consists of an amorphous to compact-grained, essentially dendrite-free material with irregularly cornered particle shape. Such a steel powder may be produced by causing molten steel to form at least one discrete, relatively thin film on a relatively cold metal surface of great cooling capacity, causing the thin film to solidify extremely rapidly on the metal surface to form a brittle amorphous to compact-grained, in principle completely dendrite-free steel film, and crushing or grinding the brittle film into a powder of an irregularly cornered particle shape.

Abstract: Particles of perfectly spherical shape are produced within a vacuum-tight furnace chamber of small size by means of a movably mounted screen for stopping the particles discharged from a molten zone of an ingot which is driven in rotation at high speed. The rigid screen is formed of material having high thermal conductivity and is provided with a consumable coating on the surface which is struck by the particles. The coating is capable of producing a vapor atmosphere around the point of impact so as to modify the interfacial surface tension of the particles on the screen by means of a localized process of calefaction.

Abstract: A steel flake product, suitable for being crushed or ground to form a steel powder for powder metallurgical purposes, consists of a plurality of relatively thin, brittle and easily crushed, substantially dendrite-free steel flakes of amorphous to compact-grained structure. Such steel flakes are produced by causing molten steel to form at least one discrete, relatively thin flake-shaped layer on a relatively cold metal surface of great cooling capacity, moving rapidly and substantially across the direction of delivery of the molten steel. Due to the great cooling capacity the layer is made to solidify extremely rapidly.

Abstract: Oxide refractory materials (for example, aluminazirconia mixtures) can be cast to have an extremely fine crystal structure, by casting a melt of oxide refractory materials onto a non-reactive, non-melting particulate solid cooling media of a material other than that of the oxide refractory material (for example, steel spheres having a size ranging from about 5 to about 60 millimeters). The casting takes place within a solidification chamber having an opening in its lower end, through which the cooling media and solidified oxide refractory melt can be removed. According to one embodiment, the opening in the lower end of the solidification chamber is either temporarily completely blocked by a base, which is periodically removed to allow the recovery of cooling media and solidified oxide refractory melt, or continuously partially blocked by the base, so that the cooling media and solidified oxide refractory melt can be continuously recovered from the solidification chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the deposition of fibers issuing from a fiberizing unit in a veil which displaces portions of the veil with fluid streams, e.g., air blasts. A moving continuous collector screen receives the veil to form a mat of fibers. Speed of the collector is coordinated with the rate of deposition in determining the amount of fiber deposited per unit length of product. Air streams directed transversely of the direction of motion of the collector displace portions of the veil toward the collector edges. Absence of the air blast permits deposition of the veil to be concentrated on the collector center region. Application of gas streams in pulses cause splitting of the veil into sections which are displaced laterally across the collector with pulse frequency generally being increased with collector speed, and center to edge weight distribution of product being coordinated with the pulse interval length and the interval between pulses.

Abstract: The plant for producing metallic pellets from a salt-added magnesium or alloys thereof comprises a metal-melting furnace, a centrifugal pelletizer with a perforated bowl and a cylindrical pellet-collecting chamber. A hopper is provided in said cylindrical chamber to divide the latter into two concentric zones open from below, of which one zone is adapted for collecting salvage resulting from the pellet formation process, while the other zone is for pellet collection. Provision of said zones makes it possible to considerably reduce the content of salts in magnesium pellets or in those of alloys thereof, as a great proportion of the salts get into the hopper and is withdrawn from the chamber as process waste, whereas the magnesium pellets settle down in the other zone and are then forwarded for further processing.

Abstract: By controlling the design and operational parameters in accordance with particular relationships fibers having an average diameter of 7 microns or less can be formed by passing molten material through orifices in a peripheral wall of a rotor without using conventional hot gas blast attenuation externally of the rotor. The primary fibers are broken into finite lengths to produce staple fiber by a plurality of relatively cool and relatively low pressure air streams which are circumferentially spaced about the rotor and which flow in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the primary fibers as they exit the orifices in the rotor. The rotors utilized in the perferred embodiment of the present invention have a peripheral wall with at least 40,000 orifices having diameters of about 18 mils or less.

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: An improved reinforcing material for concrete and comprising a multitude of relatively short and substantially straight steel flakes. The steel flakes are of a shape tapering towards the ends of the flakes, and they have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, a maximum width of at least about ten times the thickness, but at least about 2 mm, and a length of at least about 100 times the thickness. They are intended to be uniformly distributed and in principle randomly orientated in the concrete. The most preferred dimensions are: thickness 0.1 to 0.2 mm, maximum width 4 to 6 mm, and length 20 to 80 mm.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers are produced from a polymer-solvent solution without mechanical agitation means by supplying a polymer solution in a solvent to a radial-symmetrical mixing chamber and causing a rotary flow therein which subjects the polymer to shearing forces while, at the same time, adjusting the temperature of the polymer-solvent mix to just below the precipitation temperature of the polymer. Under these conditions a polymeric fiber precipitates which, after separation from the solvent, is useful in the preparation of paper and textile products.

Abstract: Cellulose ester fibrillar material is produced by forming a cellulose ester dope, pumping the dope to an extrusion orifice, extruding the dope through the orifice into a region of shear and high draw in a precipitation bath containing a non-solvent for said cellulose ester maintained at an elevated temperature. The fibrillar material is preferably subjected to further treatment to reduce the particle size and set the structure by expanding voids and expelling residual solvent. Paper having a high degree of opacity is produced by incorporating the cellulose ester material to obtain light weight paper.

Abstract: Webs of blown microfibers having a network of compacted high-density regions and pillowed low-density regions are reinforced by a mesh of filaments used to collect the web.

Abstract: In the manufacture of metal and alloy powders in the form of small diameter spheres whose shape and diameter must be maintained within narrow limits, a substantially cylindrical solid electrode of the material from which the powder is to be made is rotated at high speed about its longitudinal axis and one end of the electrode is heated to fusion point, the molten material being sprayed therefrom under centrifugal forces in the form of small diameter spheres, wherein fusion of the one end of the electrode is obtained by means which produce a local fusion zone on the end surface of the electrode and means for causing the local fusion zone to move along a spiral path on the end surface of the electrode as the electrode rotates.

Abstract: A method of prilling material in a prilling tower having the usual means for discharging molten material at the upper end thereof in droplet form to fall freely downwardly therein whereby the droplets cool and solidify in spherical or spheroidal form. A manifold extends about the interior of the upper portion of the tower and directs a continuous spray of water against the interior wall of the tower to provide a falling film of water along such wall substantially entirely about the interior circumference of the prilling chamber to cool the chamber and thus hasten solidification of the material and also prevent deposit of the material on the tower wall.

Abstract: An improved reinforcing material for concrete is manufactured by causing molten steel to impinge upon a relatively cold metal surface of great cooling capacity, moving rapidly substantially across the direction of delivery of the molten steel, to form at least one discrete relatively thin flake-shaped layer of molten steel on the metal surface, causing the layer to solidify on said metal surface to form a steel flake, and mutually adjusting the parameters which determine the shape and the dimensions of the steel flakes so as to give the flakes a shape tapering towards the ends of the flake and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, a maximum width of at least about ten times the thickness but at least about 2 mm, and a length of at least about 100 times the thickness.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is set forth wherein powder is produced by melting metal in a crucible where it is then poured into a tundish which directs the molten metal onto a spinning disc means. A nozzle plate has a central opening through which the metal is directed from the tundish to the disc means. An efficient annular nozzle means directs a cooling fluid around the disc means. The crucible has means for tilting it which keeps the molten metal entering the tundish properly as the metal is poured therefrom.

Abstract: A process for producing fine polymer powders which comprises dissolving 1 to 40 weight percent of a polymer in a solvent at a temperature in the range of 90.degree. to 165.degree. C under autogenous conditions, cooling the solution to a temperature to precipitate the polymer and to leave in solution an amount of polymer less than that which will inhibit the formation of droplets upon atomization of the solution into a drying zone, said cooling being carried out under agitation conditions of high shear, to produce a slurry of particulate polymer and solvent, atomizing said slurry into a vaporization zone, feeding a drying gas into the vaporation zone at a temperature in the range of 90.degree. to 160.degree. C, recovering the partially dry polymer particles, drying the particles and recovering a polymer powder of less than 100 micron size.

Abstract: An improvement in the fibril formation process which includes dissolving at an elevated temperature an olefin polymer having an inherent viscosity of at least 3.5 in a hot hydrocarbon solvent, shearing the hot polyolefin solution to thereby orient the polymer molecules therein, passing the sheared solution through a cooling zone maintained at a temperature well below the precipitation temperature of the solution while maintaining the orientation of the polymer molecules within the solution to thereby precipitate by thermal means the polymer solute of the solution in the form of a solvent swollen fibrous strand, separating a substantial portion of the polymer solvent from the fibrous strand, chopping and then beating the chopped fibrous strand in a liquid which is a nonsolvent for the polymer and which is soluble in the polymer solvent for a time sufficient to break down the fibrous strand into a plurality of fibrils, and separating the fibrils from the nonsolvent liquid.

Abstract: Attempts have been made by the prior art to oscillate a veil of air entrained centrifugally spun fibers back and forth across a moving collecting surface to build a layer of fibers having uniform thickness and density. The present invention accomplishes this objective by oscillating a fiberizing rotor, preferably about an axis that runs through the bottom wall of the spinner.

Abstract: Attempts have been made by the prior art to oscillate a veil of air entrained centrifugally spun fibers back and forth across a moving collecting surface to build a layer of fibers having uniform thickness and density. The present invention accomplishes this objective by oscillating a fiberizing rotor, preferably about an axis that runs through the bottom wall of the spinner.