Ceram-sna Inc.

Cerminco Inc.

Normand Lesmerises

Pierre Delvaux

Marcel Gouin

Pierre Legast

Daniel Poisson

Luc Desrosiers

Sarat C Panigraphy

Eric Beerli

Disclosed is a decorative, non-combustible, synthetic fire-log for use in a gas or oil burning fireplace or stove. This synthetic fire-log has a density ranging from 15 to 45 lb/pi.sup.3. It is made by pouring a mineral foam into a mold shaped as a natural wood-log and letting this foam harden in the mold to form the synthetic fire-log prior to unmolding the same and letting it dry. The foam that is used for such a molding comprises 1 part by weight of a solution of phosphoric acid in which polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in such an amount as to make the solution viscous; from 0.03 to 6 parts by weight of wollastonite containing from 0.5 to 4% by weight of a carbonate salt; from 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of water optionally one or more pigments to give a natural wood-like aspect to the synthetic fire-log; and, optionally also, a small amount of reinforcing glass fibers. The synthetic fire-log that is so-obtained looks like a natural wood-log and has the same glowing aspect in use. Moreover, it does not generate soot and advantageously ensures a full combustion of the gas or oil mixture fed into the fireplace or stove, thereby resulting in a substantial reduction in the amount of carbon monoxide released in the atmosphere.

Decorative, non-combustible synthetic fire-log

Disclosed is a process for manufacturing of pellets of chrysotile asbestos fibers, wherein asbestos fibers containing from 5 to 20% by weight of water are pelletized to form wet pellets that are subsequently dried until their residual water content reaches 0 to 1% by weight. Then, an aqueous solution or suspension of a substance compatible with the intended use of the pellets is sprayed onto the same to form a selective protective coating that eliminates release of asbestos dust and airborne particles. The obtained pellets have excellent mechanical properties that make them easy to handle, thereby allowing safe and easy transportation of chrysotile asbestos in bulk.

Process for the manufacture of safe and easy-to-transport pellets of

A castable refractory composition for use in the production of cast refractory piece, which comprises 1 part by weight of a phosphoric acid solution (H.sub.3 PO.sub.4) having a concentration ranging from 40 to 85% and its primary acidic function partially neutralized by reaction with vermiculite; from 0.1 to 2.5 parts by weight of a mineral such as wollastonite that is refractory and of fibrous structure and may react with one part of the acidic functions of the phosphoric acid that are still free or not neutralized yet; from 0.1 to 2.5 parts by weight of another mineral such as serpentine, MgO or synthetic olivine, containing at least one cation that may react with another part of the acidic functions of the phosphoric acid that are still free or not saturated yet; and from 0.28 to 1.45 parts by weight of water, being provided that the more concentrated is the phosphoric acid solution, the higher is the amount of water to be present in the composition. When the composition according to the invention is processed in a mixer, it passes from a granular state to a plastic state, and then to a liquid state, without need for any external heating. At that time, the composition may be cast to produce refractory pieces that may be used up to 1000C..degree.. These pieces have very good thermal insulation characteristics, and in particular, a very good behaviour with respect to molten aluminum.

Refractory castable composition and process for its manufacture

Disclosed is a process for preparing a solid, light weight mineral foam which is stable during its preparation and during its subsequent curing and drying and which, thanks to its composition and the way it is prepared, can be injected in situ, substantially like a urethane foam. This foam has a density ranging from 10 to 65 lb/pi.sup.3 and is made of 1 part by weight of a solution of phosphoric acid of given concentration in which is dissolved polyvinyl alcohol in such an amount as to make the solution viscous; from 0.03 to 6 parts by weight of wollastonite containing from 0.5 to 4% by weight of a carbonate salt; and from 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of water. The amount of water depends on the concentration of the solution of phosphoric acid and of the required density of the foam, it being understood that the more concentrated is the solution of phosphoric acid and/or the lower is the required density, the higher is the amount of water. The products made of such a foam are rigid and can be used for thermal and acoustic insulation.

Light weight mineral foam and process for preparing the same

A self-fluxing binder composition for use in the pelletization of an ore concentrate, especially iron ore concentrates. The composition comprises from 50 to 98% by weight of one or more carrier having a high surface area, and from 2 to 50% by weight of a water soluble organic enhancer. The carrier is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic magnesium and/or calcium bearing minerals and preferably consists of synthetic, fibrous-like forsterite. The enhancer is selected amongst the natural polysaccharides, of high viscosity, and more preferably amongst the natural gums of high viscosity such as the guar or xanthan gum and amongst starch and is derivatives. The use of such a self-fluxing binder composition improves the properties of the green and dry pellets and makes them more easy to handle, as compared to those produced with other conventional binders. Moreover, the pellets that are produced with such a binder composition have improved metallurgical properties.

Self-fluxing binder composition for use in the pelletization of ore

Disclosed is a fiber-reinforced cement composition particularly useful to make pipes or sheets. This composition comprises up to 70% by weight of a fibrous-like synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., said synthetic forsterite having an MgO:SiO2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity 'k' factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr. .degree.F. ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises a hydraulic binder, which is preferably Portland cement, and reinforcing fibers such as cellulose, synthetic fibers, glass wool, rock wool or their mixtures, in such an amount as to give sufficient strength to the composition to make it operative.

Fiber-reinforced cement composition

Disclosed is a heat-resistant composition particularly useful to produce heat-resistant boards, tubes, linings or similar articles, capable of resisting to a high temperature for a substantial period of time. The composition comprises from 30 to 70% by weight of a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO: SiO.sub.2 ratio lower than 1.1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity 'k' factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr. .degree.F. ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises colloidal silica as a binder. If desired, the composition may further comprise reinforcing fibers in such an amount as to give sufficient strength to the composition to make it operative depending on the intended use of the article produced therefrom. This composition can be used in particular to produce fire proofing construction boards, heat-resistant seals or rollers, sleeves, casting molds or furnace insulating components.

Heat resistant composition processable by vacuum forming

A process for manufacturing composite materials of high quality whatever be the respective amount, proportion and kind of constituents used in the starting mixture which comprises a binder made of two components capable of reacting with each other, at least one of these two components being in a liquid form, at least one filler, and reinforcing fibers, the binder being selected from the group of binders made of the following components: hydraulic cement and water; potassium and sodium silicate and water, colloidal silica and water; and organic resins and resin hardeners or catalysts. According to this process, all the liquid component of the binder is impregnated into an absorbing substance preferably consisting of vermiculite, which is compatible with the binder, the filler and the fibers. Then, the absorbing substance impregnated with the liquid component of the binder, is mixed with the solid component of the binder, the filler and the fibers in a mixer for a period of time sufficient to obtain the requested starting mixture in a semidry and homogeneous form, in which the fibers are entirely dispersed. The semidry mixture that is so obtained is then introduced into a mold and compressed under pressure for a period of time depending on the composition of the starting mixture and the predetermined properties of the composite material to be obtained. Last of all, the compressed material may be subjected to ageing and/or hardening as a function of the binder being used in order to obtain the desired composite material.

Process for manufacturing a composite material

Disclosed is a non-inflammable insulating, composite material capable of being shooted onto a surface to be coated, such as the wall of a building to be insulated. This material comprises a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysolite asbestos fibers at a temperature from 650.degree. to 1450.degree. C.; an inorganic, lightweight filler selected amongst vermiculite, perlite and their mixtures; and a non-inflammable, hydraulic or silicate binder contained in such an amount as to make the material sufficiently adhesive to be shooted as a coating, either as such or after wetting, onto the surface to be insulated. The weight ratio of the synthetic forsterite to the inorganic filler is ranging from 20:80 to 80:20 to adjust the volumic weight of the final product from about 0.20 to about 0.50 gram per cm3. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such a non inflammable, insulating, composite material in a wet, ready-to-be-shooted form.

Non-inflammable insulating composite material

Disclosed is a heat-resistant composition particularly useful to produce heat-resistant boards or tubes, capable of resisting to a high temperature for a substantial period of time. The composition comprises from 70 to 90% by weight of a fibrous-like, synthetic forsterite obtained by calcination of chrysotile asbestos fibers at a temperature of from 650.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C., the synthetic forsterite having an MgO:SiO2 ratio lower than 1:1, a raw loose density of from 3 to 40 pcf, a thermal conductivity 'k' factor of from 0.25 to 0.40 BTU. in/hr..degree.F.ft.sup.2 and a fusion point of from 1600.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. The composition also comprises an organic binder such as starch or latex, a mineral binder of the silicate type such as sodium or potassium silicate, or a mixture thereof. If desired, the composition may further comprise reinforcing fibers in such an amount as to give sufficient strength to the composition to make it operative depending on the intended use of the article produced therefrom. This composition can be used in particular to produce fire proofing boards.

Heat resistant composition processable by wet spinning

The invention relates to novel borated asbestos fibers which possess improved filtration properties.

Growing community of inventors

Rock Forest, Canada

Normand Lesmerises