Abstract: Methods of and systems for forming pipe insulation are disclosed. The pipe insulation has properties that are non-homogenous through its thickness.

Abstract: A roofing membrane is provided that includes at least one substrate at least partially impregnated with a first asphalt coating composition and a liquid parting agent emulsion applied to the upper surface of the asphalt-coated substrate. The liquid parting agent emulsion comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers and about 15 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of at least one mineral filler, based on the weight of the total solids in the emulsion. The first asphalt coating composition is free of oxidized asphalt.

Abstract: Inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends can include two or more metal oxides such as silicon dioxide, manganese (IV) oxide, iron (III) oxide, magnesium oxide, bismuth (III) oxide, cobalt oxide, zirconium (IV) oxide, molybdenum (III) oxide, titanium oxide, and calcium oxide. In some preferred embodiments, the inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends can include four or more of these metal oxides.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated shingle is provided. The method includes coating a shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, adhering a reinforcement member to a portion of the asphalt-coated sheet, covering the asphalt-coated sheet, and optionally covering the reinforcement member, with granules to make a granule-covered sheet, dividing the granule-covered sheet into an overlay sheet and an underlay sheet, wherein the overlay sheet has a tab portion normally exposed on a roof and a headlap portion normally covered-up on a roof, the headlap portion having a lower zone adjacent the tab portion and an upper zone adjacent the lower zone, and wherein the reinforcement member is adhered to the lower zone of the headlap portion and laminating the overlay sheet and the underlay sheet to make the laminated shingle.

Abstract: A cross-linked nonwoven fibrous mat is disclosed comprising a core layer including a fibrous precursor mat bound with a formaldehyde-free core binder composition and a cross-linker disposed on at least one surface of the core layer, said cross-linker comprising one or more of isocyanate, polyol, and melamine functional groups. The cross-linked nonwoven mat has a hot-wet retention of at least 25%.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition is disclosed that comprises at least one long-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of at least 2,000 Daltons; a primary cross-linking agent comprising at least two carboxylic acid groups; and a secondary cross-linking agent comprising a short-chain polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight less than 2,000 Daltons.

Abstract: A non-woven fiber mat for lead-acid batteries is provided. The non-woven fiber pasting mat includes glass fibers coated with a sizing composition; a binder composition; and one or more additives. The additives reduce water loss in lead-acid batteries.

Abstract: Asphalt-based roofing materials, such as shingles, are disclosed that include a layer of parting material. The layer of parting material is applied to at least a part of the top, bottom, or both the top and the bottom of the shingle. When the shingle includes the parting material on the bottom, the layer of parting material replaces all or a portion of a backdust layer. When the shingle includes the layer of parting material on the top, the layer of parting material replaces a portion of granules on the shingle. The layer of parting material can be applied to the shingle in patterns and configurations that permit an adhesive to be applied to the shingle and function as intended. The parting material may include a metal salt of a fatty acid, a polyolefin, and/or a crosslinkable silane.

Abstract: A fiber catching device includes a base having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, an external wall extending upwardly from the inboard portion of the base, an outboard hook extending upwardly from the outboard portion of the base and extending to a height above the external wall, and at least one receiver disposed between the external wall and the outboard hook. In one variation, a plurality of protrusions are disposed on the external wall and define a plurality of gaps there between.

Abstract: Asphalt-based roofing materials, such as shingles, are disclosed that include a band of a parting material. The asphalt-based roofing material includes at least one asphalt-coated substrate that defines a headlap portion and a tab portion each having opposed top and bottom surfaces; a layer of backdust applied to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the headlap portion and to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the tab portion; a release section of parting material applied to the layer of backdust, where the parting material is included in the in the range of 0.0005 kg/m2 to 1 kg/m2; and an adhesive.

Abstract: The general inventive concepts relate to engineered wood products. The engineered wood products demonstrate improved properties including acoustic damping, fire resistance, and water absorption relative to similar engineered wood products that comprise only a single source of fibers. In contrast, the inventive engineered wood products include a combination of at least two types of fibers.

Abstract: An fibrous insulation product is provided that includes a binder comprising a polyol and a phosphorus crosslinking agent derived from a phosphonic or phosphoric acid, salt, ester or anhydride to form crosslinked phosphodiester linkages. The polyol is polyvalent, but may be monomeric or preferably polymeric; and may be synthetic or natural in origin. Carbohydrate polysaccharides are exemplary polyols, including water-soluble polysaccharides such as dextrin, maltodextrin, starch, modified starch, etc. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In exemplary embodiments, the binder may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, and other additives. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of residential and commercial insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous products is also provided.

Abstract: An acoustically insulated machine including a source of noise positioned within a housing, a first insulation member positioned within the housing and including a first porous sound absorbing layer and a first dense layer, and a second insulation member positioned within the housing and including a second porous sound absorbing layer and a second dense layer. The first insulation member being is positioned closer to the internal source of noise than the second insulation member and the first insulation member being spaced apart from the second insulation member such that an air gap is formed between the first insulation member and the second insulation member.

Abstract: A machine for distributing material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a lower unit having a front panel. A shredding chamber is bounded on one side by the front panel and the shredding chamber receives compressed loosefill insulation material from a source of compressed loosefill insulation material. The shredding chamber including a plurality of shredders for shredding, picking apart, and conditioning the loosefill insulation material. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the conditioned loosefill insulation material exiting the shredding chamber and to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. A removable front access assembly covers a portion of the front panel of the lower unit and includes a control panel having a plurality of control devices.

Abstract: Mineral wool insulation products are provided. The mineral wool insulation includes a plurality of mineral wool fibers and a wax emulsion applied to the mineral wool fibers. The wax emulsion imparts excellent water resistance and thermal performance properties to the mineral wool insulation.

Abstract: Herein is described a process for drying wet glass fibre forming packages, the process comprising: providing a wet glass fibre forming package comprising a strand of glass fibres with an aqueous sizing applied to the glass fibres; and subjecting the wet glass fibre forming package to microwave radiation having a frequency in the range of about 750 to about 1050 MHz.

Abstract: An insulation system for use with a sandwich wall panel is disclosed. The insulation system reduces the risk of flame spread through the sandwich wall panels. The insulation system provides a balance between good insulating properties and reduced flammability, without detrimentally increasing the cost of the sandwich wall panel.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes an overlay sheet, an underlay sheet, and a reinforcement member. The overlay sheet includes a headlap portion and a tab portion, wherein the overlay sheet has an overlay sheet height. The underlay sheet is secured to a bottom surface of the overlay sheet such that a region of the underlay sheet overlaps a region of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet. The reinforcement material is secured to a top surface of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet, wherein the reinforcement material is configured to improve nail pull-through, wherein the reinforcement material extends beyond the overlapping regions of the headlap portion and the underlay sheet.

Abstract: A non-woven chopped fiber mat includes a mixture of glass fibers and synthetic fibers. The non-woven mat is formed using a binder composition that includes a binder resin, a coupling agent, and a corrosion inhibitor. The non-woven mat is non-corrosive and resistant to volatile unsaturated monomers such as styrene, but still remains fully compatible with solvent-containing polyester resins, such that it can be used in various pultruded products.