Abstract: A sized reinforcing filler, comprising a filler and a sizing agent disposed on at least a portion of the filler, to be used for reinforcement for plastics is disclosed. The sizing agent is based upon at least one of a polyvinyl alcohol, an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, a silane-grafted polyvinyl alcohol and a silane-grafted ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, a silane-grafted polyvinyl alcohol and a silane-grafted ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer. The polyvinyl alcohol is useful as a size for all types of fibers and particles to reinforce all types of commodity and engineering plastics, particularly polyolefin resins, to form polymer composites. As such, polymer composites reinforced with such sized reinforcing fillers, as well as articles, components, and products including such polymers composites, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Adhesive additives that are used in conjunction with polyisocyanate resins to form adhesive compositions. The adhesive additives contain castor oil, a mixture of castor oil and triglycerides, or a reaction product from the transesterification of one or more polyols and one or more triglycerides. The adhesive compositions are well suited for use as a binder in the manufacture of various composite products, particularly composite wood products including OSB construction panels and laminate composites.

Abstract: Adhesive additives that are used in conjunction with polyisocyanate resins to form adhesive compositions. The adhesive additives contain castor oil, a mixture of castor oil and triglycerides, or a reaction product from the transesterification of one or more polyols and one or more triglycerides. The adhesive compositions are well suited for use as a binder in the manufacture of various composite products, particularly composite wood products including OSB construction panels and laminate composites.

Abstract: The present invention provides fiber strands and products coated with a blend of a hydrophobic fluoroalkylacrylate polymer and an amine-reactive material or a polymerization reaction product of a hydrophobic fluoroalkylacrylate and a amine reactive monomeric material which are useful as reinforcements for nylon composites to inhibit hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous coating compositions adapted to coat a fiber strand having thereon a sizing composition. The aqueous coating compositions include a urethane-containing polymer and a polymer prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and a mixture thereof. Also provided by the present invention are sized fiber strands coated with the secondary coating composition and composites reinforced with the same.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition for glass fibers used to reinforce polyolefin polymers contains coupling agent, chemically modified polyolefin film forming material, and stabilizer.

Abstract: Chemically treated glass fibers having good processability are useful in producing fiber reinforced polymeric matrices, wherein the glass fibers have controlled wettability and are not detrimental to the weatherability of the fiber reinforced polymeric matrices. The chemically treated fibers have the dried residue of an aqueous chemical treating composition having a bisphenol A polyester film forming polymer compatible with and soluble in the matrix polymer, poly(vinyl acetate) polymeric film former, acryloxy-containing or methacryloxy-containing organo coupling agent in an effective coupling agent amount, cationic fiberous lubricant in an effective lubricating amount, with or without a cationic organic quaternary ammonium salt having alkoxy moieties, and with water in an amount to give a total solid for the aqueous chemical treating composition in the range of about 1 to about 30 weight percent.

Abstract: The present invention provides fiber strands having on at least a portion of surfaces thereof (a) a primary layer of a coating composition including a hydrophobic fluorine-containing polymer, the primary coated strands being useful for reinforcing thermoplastic composites, and (b) a secondary layer including a hydrophilic material applied over at least a portion of the primary layer, the secondarily coated strands being useful for inhibiting water wicking in a telecommunications cable assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous coating compositions adapted to coat a fiber strand having thereon a sizing composition. The aqueous coating compositions include a urethane-containing polymer and a polymer prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and a mixture thereof. Also provided by the present invention are sized fiber strands coated with the secondary coating composition and composites reinforced with the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sized glass fiber strand adapted to reinforce a polymeric matrix material. The sizing composition includes a polyamide which is the reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid and a polyoxyalkylene amine; an acrylic polymer which is essentially free of epoxy functionality; a coupling agent and a fiber lubricant which is different from the polyamide, the sizing composition being essentially free of a urethane-containing polymer. Composites reinforced with the sized glass fiber strand and a method of reinforcing a composite are also provided.

Abstract: An aqueous sizing composition for glass fibers particularly useful for the reinforcement of thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix polymers contains film-forming material, fluorescent whitening agent, coupling agent, stabilizing agent and lubricant. The film-forming material is selected to be compatible with thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix polymer used in the ultimate forming process. The fluorescent whitening agent is at least dispersed, emulsified or solubilized in water.The sizing compositions are particularly advantageous for sizing glass fibers to be used in the reinforcement of matrix polymers for forming molded parts. The resultant molded part exhibits exceptional whiteness and and comparable physical properties to materials without the brightening agent.

Abstract: A novel preform screen for use in producing preforms for structural liquid composite molding is described. The screen has a raised edge provided around the screen to catch fibers as they are directed toward the screen surface during production of a preform. The preforms produced have a perimeter which is composed of chopped rovings oriented parallel to the edges of the preform.