Abstract: An abrasive grain comprising about 20 to about 50% by weight of zirconia; reduced titania in an amount on analysis expressed as titanium dioxide of 1.5 to about 10% by weight; total carbon in an amount of 0.03 to about 0.5% by weight; impurities, if any, in a total amount on analysis expressed as the oxides of not greater than 3% by weight; and a balance of alumina. The microstructure of the abrasive grain comprises primary alumina or zirconia crystals embedded in a supporting alumina-zirconia eutectic matrix. The grain may be produced by combining and melting the alumina and zirconia; adding titania and carbon (excess carbon being required); melting and reducing the titania under reducing furnace conditions; and solidifying the melt in under three minutes by means of a suitable heat sink material. The abrasive grain has a high proportion of tetragonal zirconia and may be used to produce coated abrasive products or bonded abrasive products.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing bioabsorbable polymer particles employing rotary atomization.

Abstract: Spherical products of a heat-softened material are produced by supplying a molten heat-softened material into a C-shaped channel-like spinner with an open upper surface and a large number of orifices formed in its circumferential wall, at a rate of 0.020 kg/hr or lower per a single orifice of the spinner; rotating the spinner at a high speed to form cone-like fine streams of the molten material from the orifices by means of a centrifugal force; and flowing streams of a hot gas so as to traverse the fine streams of molten material to thereby heat the same resulting in reducing the viscosity of the molten material and to break the fine streams by the hot gas streams.

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: Finely divided, homogeneous and easily sintered superconducting powders of at least one rare earth element, e.g., yttrium and/or lanthanum, at least one alkaline earth metal, e.g., barium, calcium and/or strontium, and at least one transition metal, e.g., copper, nickel, manganese, cobalt and/or iron, and oxygen, are produced by (a) solubilizing, in water, the nitrates and/or acetates of at least one rare earth element, at least one alkaline earth metal, and at least one transition metal; (b) atomizing such solution to dryness; (c) calcining the dried product; and, optionally; (d) grinding the calcined material.

Abstract: Composite spinners for use in forming glass fibers are formed by transient liquid phase bonding of an oxide dispersion strengthened foraminous sidewall portion to a non-oxide dispersion strengthened bottom wall portion.

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 and apparatus for expanding the fiber column produced by a rotary fiber glass manufacturing unit. 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. Water is directed on the inner surface of the shell to cool the shell in order to prevent curing of binder which comes in contact with the shell, and binder is applied below the point of water application. If an amount of water in excess of the amount needed to cool the shell is provided it is thrown outward in the form of a spray which wets the fibers. The water spray also prevents fiber and binder from accumulating on the bottom edge of the shell.

Abstract: A method of melt granulation for powdery material is disclosed wherein the powdery material is discharged onto the upper surface of a heated rotary spreader for migration under centrifugal force to the periphery of the spreader accompanying by melting of a portion of the material and enrobing of non-melted particles by the melted material for discharge as enlarged granules from the periphery of the spreader. To improve the quality of the granules produced, the feed material is supplied to the spreader at two separate locations. The first location is the central portion of the spreader to provide the melted material and the second location is adjacent to the periphery of the spreader. The spreader is preferably in the form of a concave bowl or inverted truncated cone or dish.

Abstract: To develop a process for manufacturing cast tungsten carbide spheres, without any content of spattering material, as solid spheres with a bulk weight of 0.5-11.5 g/cm.sup.3 for cast tungsten carbide spheres from a screen fraction, and with a granular distribution of 40 .mu.m to 2,000 .mu.m, tungsten carbide is heated to about 150.degree.-300.degree. C. above the melting point, and then the cast tungsten carbide is smelted and granulated in stationary inert gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a new enclosure for slag pelletizers, and a new method of operating such an enclosure, that minimizes the noise and the escape into the ambient atmosphere of hydrogen sulfide and airborne particulate material produced by the pelletization. The enclosure consists of impereable walls and a roof, the pelletized material being removed through an openable door at one end that is closed during the process. The enclosure has three successive zones, in the first of which contains the pelletizer, this being supplied with only the amount of water needed for pelletization. In the second zone containing the slag pile a plurality of very fine mist producing nozzles supply water to the gases to cool them using its latent heat of evaporation, the amount of water supplied being such as to cool them as much as possible while being limited so that it all remains vaporized and cannot enter the slag pile to increase its moisture content.

Abstract: A novel process for rapid solidification of ceramic melts combines certain features of cooling by atomization and by contact with chilling surfaces. The material to be solidified is divided into fine liquid droplets that are propelled by a rapid flow of gas toward a rapidly moving chill surface, striking the surface with sufficient velocity to flatten each drop into a flat flake like shape. Apparatus for the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly applicable to making very fine grained, or even amorphous, ceramic materials that can be powdered and then sintered into strong, tough ceramic structures.

Abstract: A process for the production of cellulose ester fibrets wherein a solution of the cellulose ester is contacted with a non-solvent for the cellulose ester in a precipitation zone under shearing conditions, and a solvent-nonsolvent mixture is separated from the formed fibrets and recycled to the precipitation zone.

Abstract: Sulphur is obtained to the desired granulation and at the same time cooled by means of a directed hollow cylindrical jet of melted sulfur, on either side of which, i.e., both inside and outside the cylinder of molten sulfur, there are two jets of cold water, the jets being directed onto a disk which is able to turn freely. The jets of water and sulfur strike the disk between the middle of the disk and its outer edge and make it turn, while at the same time the sulfur hardens into granules. The turning spins the granules off the disk. The fact that there are two jets of water leads to a better particle size of the sulfur and, because there is a better contact between the water and the sulfur, prevents any hardening of the sulfur upon the disk.

Abstract: Mesophase pitch centrifugally spun over a lip of the centrifugal rotor can be protected from coke and tar formation by conveying the molten pitch to the rotor's lip through channels within the rotor.

Abstract: In a process for the production of fibers from phenoplast resins of the resole type, the resin is treated with a cross-linking agent and is immediately thereafter introduced into a centrifuge bushing. The fibers extruded from the bushing are projected into the surrounding atmosphere which is heated so as to accelerate the drying of the fibers before they are collected. The heating is sufficient so that the fibers become solid and non-sticky prior to collecting.

Abstract: Cellulose ester microparticles with unique properties are made by a process having the following steps:(a) dissolving a cellulose ester in a liquid comprising a solvent for the cellulose ester and a non-solvent for the cellulose ester, thereby forming a dope;(b) spheronizing the dope thereby forming fine droplets of the dope;(c) dropping the droplets for a finite amount of time; and(d) precipitating the droplets in a bath containing a precipitant.

Abstract: The solid metal to be melted is placed on a support, within an induction coil which is adapted to provide a greater electromagnetic force towards the lower portion of the quantity of metal. When energy is provided to the coil, the metal melts from the top downward, but the concentration of electromagnetic force towards the bottom of the metal causes the liquid metal to retain a cylindrical shape. When most of the metal is melted, the liquid metal passes through an opening in the support. In a preferred embodiment, the coil is movable relative to the quantity of metal, and at the beginning of the melting process only the top portion of the quantity of metal is disposed within the coil. As the quantity of metal melts, the coil is moved downward. The method may also be used for removing impurities from the quantity of metal.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the shielded counter-rotating spinner assembly for microparticalization of liquid consists of two opposed, coaxial, counter-rotating, conical, sharp-edged spinners whose edges are in close proximity and whose outer surfaces are in close proximity with non-rotating shields which extend to the edges of the spinners. The purpose of the shields is to greatly reduce the spinner induced air drafts so that, when liquids are applied to the inside surfaces of the spinners through the axes of the driving motors, the droplets produced on the edges of the spinners are injected into very low velocity air.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the formation of granules of a larger size or mass of a desired range from a feed stock of smaller particles comprising feeding a meltable powdery material to be granulated, or a non-meltable powdery material with a meltable binder to the surface of a rotating spreader means in the form of a disk or bowl, at least a portion of which has been heated to a temperature above the melting point of the meltable component of the feed material wherein the rate of feeding, the energy input to the spreader means and the rotational speed of the spreader means are controlled so that there is sufficient time for at least a partial melting of the meltable component of the feed material substantially solely by contact with the heated surface of the spreader means, centrifugally spreading the material across the surface of the disk or bowl and dispersing the same from the edge thereof into an atmosphere cooler than the melting temperature to form the granulated product.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of metal granules from a molten metal are disclosed. A molten metal stream is directed against an impact element located above the surface of water in a water tank. The impact of the molten metal upon the impact element causes the molten metal to disintegrate into drops which spread out radially from the impact element. The drops fall down into the water below the impact element in an annular region a certain radial distance from the impact element. The radial distance is varied by varying the velocity of the molten metal stream relative to the impact element at the instant of impact, and/or by varying the height of the impact element above the water surface, in order to substantially continuously vary the radius of the annular region in which the molten metal drops hit the water surface.By using the method and apparatus of the present invention it is possible to granulate metals and metal alloys having a low sinking rate in water and a high enthalpy.

Abstract: Flakes of glass, basalt or other frangible material are formed by feeding a stream of the molten material in a downwards direction into a rotating cup (5) which has its open mouth facing upwardly with its rim disposed at a horizontal level between a pair of spaced apart parallel plates (9 and 11) which are mounted within a vacuum chamber (13) in such manner that, as air is drawn from outside the chamber (13) between the plates (9 and 11) the molten material is drawn radially outwardly without touching the plates and is cooled with the continuing outward movement causing the material to be broken into flakes.

Abstract: Pastilles are formed by passing small quantities of a viscous material through small openings and onto a moving conveyor surface located therebeneath. The viscous material is contacted by the conveyor surface after the material protrudes from the openings, but before the material becomes sufficiently large to break free and fall. Instead, the conveyor surface forcefully extracts the material from the openings, thereby resulting in the formation of pastilles which are of smaller size than would have been the case had the material been allowed to break free and fall on its own accord.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants such as phenolic-containing dusts and mists from an inert gaseous process stream by contacting the gaseous stream with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution whereby the contaminants react with the alkali metal hydroxide to produce alkali metal salts of the contaminant compounds and produce water soluble contaminant salts.

Abstract: A method for the production of a fiber-reinforced molding material of thermosetting resin, which method comprises supplying a liquid thermosetting resin composition to at least one spreading roller disposed as separated by a gap of not more than 5 mm from the terminal of a supply unit, rotated at speed in the range of 1,000 to 7,000 r.p.m., and provided on the circumferential source thereof with at least one ridge or groove formed parallelly to the rotary axis thereof, thereby causing the liquid thermosetting resin composition to be spread out in the form of particles, allowing said particles to be mixed with separately spread reinforcing fibers, piling the resultant mixture, and then deaerating the piled mixture thereby causing the reinforcing fibers in the piled mixture to be impregnated with the resin composition.

Abstract: A plurality of holders, each capable of holding a rod of raw material, and a single handler are equipped within a chamber which is adapted to be evacuated. An operator positions one of the holders at a location where it is opposite to a rotary shaft capable of driving the rod of raw material for rotation at a high speed. The operator then secures the rod held by the holder to the free end of the rotary shaft by handling the holder. A rod of raw material which has become consumed by granulation is separated from the rotary shaft by the handler which is operated by the operator. A fresh holder is then positioned at a location where it is opposite to the rotary shaft, and a rod of raw material which is held thereby is then secured to the rotary shaft.

Abstract: Sulphur is obtained to the desired granulation and at the same time cooled by means of a directed hollow cylindrical jet of melted sulfur, on either side of which, i.e., both inside and outside the cylinder of molten sulfur, there are jets of cold water, the three jets directed onto a disk which disk is able to turn freely. The jets of water and sulfur strike the disk between the middle of the disk and its outer edge and make it turn, while at the same time the sulfur hardens into granules. The turning spins the granules off the disk. The fact that there are two jets of water leads to a better particle size of the sulfur and, because there is a better contact between the water and the sulfur, prevents any hardening of the sulfur upon the disk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making metal flakes from a body or stream of molten metal. The apparatus includes a wheel with serrations on its periphery, and means for rotating the wheel in a vertical plane. Means are provided for controlling the relative positions of the wheel and the upper surface of the body of molten metal which is subjected to change. In this manner, the serrations on the bottom of the wheel are disposed a preselected distance into the body of molten metal. When the serrations rotate out of the body, molten metal collects on the serrations and freezes into solid flakes. Means are provided for removing the flakes from the serrations and for collecting the flakes at one location on the periphery of the wheel.

Abstract: A superconducting oxide is melted in an oxygen-rich environment, rapidly solidified and annealed in an oxygen atmosphere. The resulting material has a fine grain structure, is chemically homogeneous, and has enhanced resistance to environmental degradation. The materials have well-defined superconducting characteristics as measured through the temperature dependence of their resistivities and diamagnetic susceptibilities.

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 novel process for rapid solidification of ceramic melts combines certain features of cooling by atomization and by contact with chilling surfaces. The material to be solidified is divided into fine liquid dropletes that are propelled by a rapid flow of gas toward a rapidly moving chill surface, striking the surface with sufficient velocity to flatten each drop into a flat flake like shape. Apparatus for the process is also disclosed. The process is particularly applicable to making very fine grained, or even amorphous, ceramic materials that can be powdered and then sintered into strong, tough ceramic structures.

Abstract: A mixture of unlike particulate solids is dispersed in liquid nitrogen to form a slurry. The slurry is then subjected to shear and impact forces of sufficient intensity and duration to break up agglomerates, to comminute at least the larger particles, and to obtain a randomly mixed homogeneous suspension. The suspension is thereafter stabilized by removal of liquid nitrogen to form a past or powder which may be further processed into shapes by extrusion or molding. One preferred embodiment utilizes a batch-to-continuous process for the compounding of rubber with carbon black and other additives.

Abstract: A method wherein there is provided a source of fiber forming material, with said fiber forming material being pumped into a die having a plurality of spinnerets about its periphery. The die is rotated at a predetermined adjustable speed, whereby the liquid is expelled from the die so as to form fibers. It is preferred that the fiber forming material be cooled as it is leaving the holes in the spinnerets during drawdown. The fibers may be used to produce fabrics, fibrous tow and yarn through appropriate take-up systems. The pumping system provides a pumping action whereby a volumetric quantity of liquid is forced into the rotational system independent of viscosity or the back pressure generated by the spinnerets and the manifold system of the spinning head, thus creating positive displacement feeding. Positive displacement feeding may be accomplished by the extruder alone or with an additional pump of the type generally employed for this purpose.

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: Method and apparatus for attenuating glass fibers. Primary glass is delivered into a primary, high temperature, high velocity gaseous blast to produce fibers that are attenuated while carried by said primary blast. While the fibers are above the minimum glass attenuation temperature, the fiber containing primary blast is subjected to thin, closely spaced, high speed jets that deliver fuel and oxidant at a higher speed and less rate of mass flow than said primary blast essentially normal to the primary blast to increase the attenuation of the fibers and the temperature of the primary blast at one or more stations spaced downstream from the location where primary glass is delivered to one side only of said primary blast. The side of jet application may be the same or differ from one said station to another said station.

Abstract: Liquid metal undergoes rapid rotational motion in an induction field and utilizes the resultant centrifugal forces to extend the metal in the form of a rotating film, the film becoming progressively thinner, along a baffle surface located in the induction field. The liquid metal can then emerge through the baffle surface in the form of wires or can be reduced in size on a cylindrical impact wall and then cooled.

Abstract: A cotton candy making apparatus includes a hollow rotary member to be rotated, the rotary member being provided with a supply port for supplying sugar to the interior thereof and path for delivering molten sugar to a peripheral edge of the rotary member, a heating device located below the rotary member to heat the rotary member and hence heat and melt sugar in the rotary member, a fan for producing an air flow to the rotary member, the fan being rotated together with the rotary member, and a deflection device arranged between the fan and the heating device to guide the air flow from the fan to the peripheral edge of the rotary member. The rotary member has an extended flange extending radially outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing fine metal powder. The method includes the steps of forming a centrifugally maintained annulus of a liquified gas quench medium, forming molten metal drops within the eye of the annulus, urging the drops into the quench medium to solidify the drops, and boiling away the quench medium to leave behind clean, unentrained metal powder. The apparatus includes a drum for containing a liquified gas quench medium, means for adding liquified gas to the inside of the drum, and means for rotating the drum to form an annulus of quench medium. The apparatus further includes means for forming molten metal to be made into powder, and means disposed along the longitudinal axis of the drum and within the eye of the annulus for creating molten metal drops. The molten metal drops are then urged into the quench medium to solidify them into a powder, and the quench medium is boiled away to leave behind clean, unentrained metal powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing short inorganic fibers is disclosed. A molten inorganic raw material is supplied to a rotating rotor which rotates at high speed. A gas stream delivery port jets a gas stream in surrounding with the rotating rotor. That surface of the rotating rotor which is in direct contact with a melt is formed with a deposited layer of high temperature, erosion resistant coating material.

Abstract: A floss head assembly for making striped cotton candy is provided. The floss head assembly has upper and lower chambers that are adapted to melt two different colors of sugar in order to provide striped cotton candy. A stripe enhancer is provided intermediate the upper and lower chambers and serves to maintain distinct colors without the chambers when liquid sugar is flung from the floss head assembly and crystallized into confectionary fluff.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly solidifying rare earth-transition metal containing alloy. It entails introducing the alloy into the flame of a plasma torch and directing the torch flame onto the inside surface of a rotating quench cylinder. A non-oxidizing gas is also directed onto the quench surface so that the alloy solidifies at a rate such that a powder having a substantially amorphous to finely crystalline microstructure is obtained and such that the solidified alloy does not adhere to the quench surface and can be easily collected.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of soap and soap/synthetic detergent products from raw materials normally employed in the manufacture of such products including fatty acids, triglycerides and caustic by subjecting such raw materials to intensive countercurrent mixing whereby saponification takes place in a relatively short time, and whereby cooling and moisture removal of the soap mass is accomplished by making the mixing vessel substantially air tight and applying a vacuum to the soap mass within the vessel to yield a product, preferably in granular form, which requires no further drying for most uses. The resulting product can, if desired, can then be subjected to plodding, extrusion and stamping to form soap in bar form. The starting material can also be a mixture of such raw materials where neutralization has already proceed to some degree, preferably to the neat soap stage.

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: In mass production of explosive warheads, heat-meltable explosive material s continuously converted from an amorphous mass into small solid granules by directing melted exposive in a thin continuous stream against the upper inside surface of a rotating, generally bell-shaped vertically symmetrical element. Gravity and centrifugal force move the explosive downwardly on the said surface until it is flung off the bottom rim of the rotating bell element as small droplets. The droplets free-fall inside a surrounding cold air chamber which congeals them into solid granules of the explosive material which can then be loaded into the warheads. In another aspect of the invention, an explosive soluble in warm water, e.g., nitroguanidine, is provided in a contiuous warm water solution flow to the inside surface of the rotating bell-shaped element to generate free-falling solution droplets from its lower rim.

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: A process for preparing carbon fibers wherein carbon fibers are prepared from the mesophase-pitch containing not more than 80% by weight of a quinoline-insoluble component and showing, under a polarization microscope, more than 70% of optically anisotropic region, comprising the steps of subjecting a mesophase-pitch showing a viscosity of 10 to 100 poise at a temperature of spinning of 330.degree. to 450.degree. C., to rotating-centrifugal-spinning in a rotating-centrifugal spinning machine with a peripheral velocity of rotating nozzle thereof of 300 to 1000 m/min and exposing the thus spun fibers of the mesophase pitch to a flow of a gas spouting into a spinning direction at a temperature of 280.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at a linear velocity of 50 to 200 m/sec, thereby preparing carbon fibers showing a random-mosaic structural pattern in cross section thereof perpendicular to fiber axis.

Abstract: Atomizing techniques produce fine and uniform ceramic powders and metal powders, by melting the particulate metal or ceramic to be atomized at high temperatures in a plasma melting torch, impacting the stream of high temperature gas and drops of molten feed material against a suitable moving impact substrate to produce fine droplets, and chilling these droplets in a quench gas to produce rapid solidification, optimizing internal crystal structure. The substrate is formed as a disk or belt moved continuously to produce constantly changing impact zones, and a liquid rinsing and squeegee wiping operation or a vacuum cleaning operation is employed to clear the substrate of any accumulated residue of the impacted material. The rapidly solidified particles are recovered by filtration or separating steps from the quench gas and the rinsing liquid. A preferred impact substrate material is a thin layer or Teflon FEP laminated to a slightly thicker layer of aluminum foil.

Abstract: A cotton candy making apparatus includes a hollow rotary member to be rotated, the rotary member being provided with a supply port for supplying sugar to the interior thereof and path for delivering molten sugar to a peripheral edge of the rotary member, a heating device located below the rotary member to heat the rotary member and hence heat and melt sugar in the rotary member, a fan for producing an air flow to the rotary member, the fan being rotated together with the rotary member, and a deflection device arranged between the fan and the heating device to guide the air flow from the fan to the peripheral edge of the rotary member. The rotary member has an extended flange extending radially outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary member.

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: Cylindrical fibrous structures comprising a fibrous mass of nonwoven, synthetic, polymeric microfibers wherein the microfibers are substantially free of fiber-to-fiber bonding and secured to each other by mechanical entanglement or intertwining, the fiber structure having a substantially constant voids volume over at least a substantial portion of the structure and, preferably, a graded fiber diameter structure, both as measured in the radial direction. The structures are particularly useful as depth filters.