Abstract: Provided is a cellulosic composite comprised of cellulosic material and a binder. The binder comprises an aldehyde or ketone and amine salt of an inorganic acid. The composition when mixed with cellulosic material and cured forms a cellulosic composite.

Abstract: Provided are nonwoven polymeric fiber webs using an improved curable composition. Such curable composition comprises an aldehyde or ketone and an amine salt of an inorganic acid. The composition when applied to polymeric fibers is cured to form a water-insoluble polymer binder which exhibits good adhesion and thermodimensional stability.

Abstract: Methods of making fiber reinforced composite articles are described. The methods may include treating fibers with a sizing composition that includes a polymerization compound, and introducing the treated fibers to a pre-polymerized composition. The combination of the treated fibers and pre-polymerized composition may then undergo a temperature adjustment to a polymerization temperature at which the pre-polymerized composition polymerizes into a plastic around the fibers to form the fiber-reinforced composite article. Techniques for introducing the treated fibers to the pre-polymerized composition may include pultrusion, filament winding, reactive injection molding (RIM), structural reactive injection molding (SRIM), resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), long fiber injection (LFI), sheet molding compound (SMC) molding, bulk molding compound (BMC) molding, a spray-up application, and/or a hand lay-up application, among other techniques.

Abstract: A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an aldehyde or ketone and an amine salt of an inorganic acid. The composition when applied to fiberglass is cured to form a water-insoluble binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment the fiberglass is in the form of building insulation. In other embodiments the product is a microglass-based substrate for use in a printed circuit board, battery separator, filter stock, or reinforcement scrim.

Abstract: A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an addition product of an amine and a reactant to form an amino-amide intermediate. To the amino-amide is added an aldehyde or ketone to form the curable binder composition. The composition when applied to fiberglass is cured to form a water-insoluble binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment the fiberglass is in the form of building insulation. In other embodiments the product is a microglass-based substrate for use in a printed circuit board, battery separator, filter stock, or reinforcement scrim.

Abstract: A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises a substantially unpolymerized acrylate and/or methacrylate primarily having no more than approximately six recurring moieties. The composition is either unpolymerized at the time of its application to the fiberglass or in the form of an oligomer. The curable composition is coated on fiberglass and thereafter is cured to form a secure binder. In a preferred embodiment the fiberglass is the form of building insulation. In other embodiments the product is a microglass-based substrate useful for as a printed circuit board, battery separator, filter stock, or reinforcement scrim.

Abstract: Coupling-initiator compounds are described that include a silicon-containing coupling moiety and at least one polymerization initiator moiety. The coupling moiety may be linked to the at least one polymerization initiator moiety by at least one linking moiety. The coupling moiety is capable of coupling the compound to a substrate, while the one or more polymerization initiator moieties are capable of initiating a polymerization of a monomer under polymerization conditions. The coupling-initiator compounds may be included in fiber reinforced polymer composites, where the compounds are coupled to the fibers in the composites and participate in the polymerization of the surrounding polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous binding composition is provided comprised of a polyanhydride based polymer, which polyanhydride based polymer has been purified through the use of an azeotrope. The resulting binder is effective, particularly for binding glass fibers, yet substantially odor free. A fibrous material is provided that is coated with a water-resistant cured binder formed in accordance with the process of the present invention wherein adjoining fibers are bound at cross-over points. Such bound fibrous material is free of a phenol-formaldehyde resin and substantially free of odor. It has been found that by removing purities such as cumene and acetophenone from a polyanhydride binder, e.g., a styrene maleic anhydride based polymer based binder, an effective binder for glass fiber is obtained while also avoiding an odor problem.

Abstract: An improved curable formaldehyde-free binding composition is provided. Such curable composition comprises the reaction product of a polyanhydride and a polyol crosslinker and a lower molecular weight anhydride. Initially, the polyanhydride is modified through reaction with a polyol (e.g., a glycol or an alkanolamine) and subsequently is grafted with the lower molecular weight anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride) to form a water-soluble or water-dispersible curable reaction product. The composition is well suited for binding fibrous materials (e.g., a mat of glass fibers) or for bonding together non-fibrous materials. The binder composition displays an advantageous viscosity so as to facilitate a flowable application with ease combined with an adequately high molecular weight to satisfactorily undergo service as a binder following curing even when harsh environmental conditions (e.g., hot humid air) are encountered for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Compositions for binding organic or inorganic fibers is described. The compositions may include an aqueous solution having a pH of about 4.5 or more. The aqueous solution may include a polycarboxy polymer that is about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; and a polyol. The compositions can maintain a pH of about 5 or more after being cured into a thermoset plastic with the fibers. Processes for preparing a binder composition for organic or inorganic fibers are also described. The processes may include providing an aqueous solution of polycarboxylic acid polymers, where the polymers comprise about 10%, by wt., to 100%, by wt., of a butenedioic acid or butenedioic anhydride; adding a polyol to the aqueous solution; and maintaining the pH of the aqueous solution at about 5 or more.

Abstract: An improved curable formaldehyde-free binding composition is provided. Such curable composition comprises the reaction product of a polyanhydride and a polyol crosslinker and a lower molecular weight anhydride. Initially, the polyanhydride is modified through reaction with a polyol (e.g., a glycol or an alkanolamine) and subsequently is grafted with the lower molecular weight anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride) to form a water-soluble or water-dispersible curable reaction product. The composition is well suited for binding fibrous materials (e.g., a mat of glass fibers) or for bonding together non-fibrous materials. The binder composition displays an advantageous viscosity so as to facilitate a flowable application with ease combined with an adequately high molecular weight to satisfactorily undergo service as a binder following curing even when harsh environmental conditions (e.g.

Abstract: Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which comprises epoxidized oil and a multifunctional carboxylic acid or anhydride. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a fiberglass product which exhibits minimal water absorption. The cure time of the binder is also exceptional.

Abstract: Binder compositions are described that include a carboxyl-containing polymer, a cross-linking agent, and a starch compound having a molecular weight greater than about 10,000 g/mol. In addition, fiber products are described that include mineral or polymeric fibers and a binder prepared from an aqueous composition that includes a carboxyl-containing polymer, a cross-linking agent, and a starch having a molecular weight greater than 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: An improved curable formaldehyde-free binding composition is provided. Such curable composition comprises the reaction product of a polyanhydride and a polyol crosslinker and a lower molecular weight anhydride. Initially, the polyanhydride is modified through reaction with a polyol (e.g., a glycol or an alkanolamine) and subsequently is grafted with the lower molecular weight anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride) to form a water-soluble or water-dispersible curable reaction product. The composition is well suited for binding fibrous materials (e.g., a mat of glass fibers) or for bonding together non-fibrous materials. The binder composition displays an advantageous viscosity so as to facilitate a flowable application with ease combined with an adequately high molecular weight to satisfactorily undergo service as a binder following curing even when harsh environmental conditions (e.g.

Abstract: A process for securely binding the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material in the absence of the use of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product is provided. A curable binding composition comprising a water-soluble intermediate reaction product having hydroxyl and carboxylic acid end groups that is capable of undergoing an esterification crosslinking reaction is provided. The intermediate reaction product is formed by the reaction of (i) a polyanhydride, and (ii) certain polyol crosslinkers other than an alkanolamine. Such crosslinkers have been found to yield a bound product that displays improved color (i.e., lighter color). Particularly preferred crosslinkers are triethylene glycol and tripropylene glycol. When applied to a fibrous material, the intermediate reaction product is reacted with crosslinking to form a cured reaction product. In a preferred embodiment the securely bound fibrous product is building insulation of good color that well resists water.

Abstract: A process for securely binding the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material in the absence of the use of phenol-formaldehyde reaction product is provided. A curable binding composition comprising an intermediate reaction product capable of undergoing free-radical polymerization as well as an esterification crosslinking reaction is provided. The intermediate reaction product is formed by the reaction of (i) at least one anhydride having at least one unsaturated double bond capable of undergoing free-radical polymerization, and (ii) at least one polyol crosslinker. When applied to a fibrous material, the binding composition comprising the intermediate reaction product is cured in the presence of a free-radical initiator and a polyol crosslinker wherein the double bonds present in the intermediate reaction product undergo free-radical polymerization and hydroxyl and carboxylic acid end groups undergo crosslinking to form a cured binder.

Abstract: An aqueous binding composition is provided comprised of a polyanhydride based polymer, which polyanhydride based polymer has been purified through the use of an azeotrope. The resulting binder is effective, particularly for binding glass fibers, yet substantially odor free. A fibrous material is provided that is coated with a water-resistant cured binder formed in accordance with the process of the present invention wherein adjoining fibers are bound at cross-over points. Such bound fibrous material is free of a phenol-formaldehyde resin and substantially free of odor. It has been found that by removing purities such as cumene and acetophenone from a polyanhydride binder, e.g., a styrene maleic anhydride based polymer based binder, an effective binder for glass fiber is obtained while also avoiding an odor problem.

Abstract: Improved binder technology for use with fibrous materials is provided whereby the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material are bound in the absence of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product. A curable binder composition is provided which comprises a water-soluble polyamic acid and an organic crosslinking agent capable of undergoing a covalent crosslinking reaction with the polyamic acid. The polyamic acid is formed by the reaction of a polycarboxylic acid and/or polyanhydride having a molecular weight of at least 150 with ammonia and/or amine compound. The binding composition is coated on a fibrous material and is heated to achieve crosslinking of the polyamic acid to form a cured water-resistant binder in association with the fibrous material wherein adjoining fibers are bound at cross-over points.

Abstract: Improved binder technology for use with fibrous materials is provided whereby the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material are bound in the absence of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product. A curable binder composition is provided which comprises a water-soluble Michael adduct crosslinking agent having reactive hydroxyl end groups and a polycarboxylic acid capable of undergoing an esterification reaction. The binding composition is coated on a fibrous material and is heated to achieve crosslinking of hydroxyl end groups of the Michael adduct and carboxylic acid groups of the polycarboxylic acid via an esterification reaction to form a cured water-resistant binder in association with the fibrous material wherein adjoining fibers are bound at cross-over points.

Abstract: An improved curable formaldehyde-free binding composition is provided. Such curable composition comprises the reaction product of a polyanhydride and a polyol crosslinker and a lower molecular weight anhydride. Initially, the polyanhydride is modified through reaction with a polyol (e.g., a glycol or an alkanolamine) and subsequently is grafted with the lower molecular weight anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride) to form a water-soluble or water-dispersible curable reaction product. The composition is well suited for binding fibrous materials (e.g., a mat of glass fibers) or for bonding together non-fibrous materials. The binder composition displays an advantageous viscosity so as to facilitate a flowable application with ease combined with an adequately high molecular weight to satisfactorily undergo service as a binder following curing even when harsh environmental conditions (e.g.