Abstract: A composition for impregnation of a lignocellulosic material such as wood or wood particles, comprises a high boiling point tar acid or a pitch derived from coal; a solvent for the tar acid or pitch selected from a low carbon alcohol, an aceotrope of a low carbon alcohol and another solvent, and a mixture of a lower carbon alcohol and water; a phenol formaldehyde resole resin; an acid catalyst for the phenol formaldehyde resole resin; and preferably a formaldehyde donor or a precursor thereof. There is also disclosed a method of preparing a finished product from a lignocellulosic material by using the impregnating composition.

Abstract: A method of making a composite product such as a building board, includes the steps of mixing together finely divided lignocellulosic fibres, a hydraulic binder, and water optionally containing a polyvinyl alcohol, to form a paste; introducing a foam generated from a polyvinyl alcohol into the paste and mixing to form a foamed product; forming the foamed product into a desired shape; and allowing the hydraulic binder to set to form the composite product.

Abstract: A finished product from lignocellulose, such as a length of wood or chipboard, is impregnated with a composition containing a thermosetting resin in a nonaqueous solvent, and a styrene polymer in a nonaqueous solvent. Excess impregnating composition is removed from the impregrnated material. The solvent or solvents are also removed. The thermosetting resin may thereafter be subjected to temperature conditions for polymerization to form a finished product.

Abstract: A process of chemically modifying wood by impregnating the wood, under vacuum, with ammonia gas; after removal of residual ammonia, and while under pressure, impregnating the ammonia gas impregnated wood with an impregnating composition containing dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic anhydride, partly or fully saponified polyvinyl alcohol and water. The impregnating composition may further and, preferably, include a water-soluble boron compound, such as sodium borate. In the latter case, the boron is resistant to leaching.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a finished product from a lignocellulosic material selected from the group consisting of lignocellulosic particles or fibers, soft boards, and board precursors in sheet form includes the steps of impregnating the lignocellulosic material with an impregnating composition consisting of a mineral oil and a liquid thermosetting resin, optionally with a catalyst therefor. Thereafter, the lignocellulosic material is compressed with heating to allow the mineral oil to infuse the lignocellulosic material and to polymerize the thermosetting resin to form the finished product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a finished product from exfoliated vermiculite particles includes the steps of impregnating the exfoliated vermiculite particles with an impregnating composition consisting of a mineral oil and a liquid thermosetting resin, optionally with a catalyst therefor. Thereafter, the exfoliated vermiculite particles are compressed with heating to allow the mineral oil to infuse the exfoliated vermiculite particles and polymerize the thermosetting resin to form the finished product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a finished product from a length of a lignocellulosic material, such as a length of solid wood or chip board, includes the steps of impregnating the length of lignocellulosic material through its depth with an impregnating composition comprising a mineral oil, a non-aqueous solvent for the material oil such as dichloromethane or super critical carbon dioxide, and a thermosetting resin and, if necessary, a catalyst therefore dissolved in the mineral oil and solvent. Thereafter, the non-aqueous solvent is removed and the product is subjected to an elevated temperature to polymerize the thermosetting resin to bind the mineral oil into the lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: A method of making a composite product includes the steps of impregnating particles of an exfoliated vermiculite or a lignocellulosic material with an impregnating composition comprising a first thermosetting resin, an extending liquid for the thermosetting resin, if necessary a catalyst for the thermosetting resin and a coloring agent for the particles; removing the extending liquid; subjecting the impregnated particles to suitable conditions, generally of temperature and for pressure, to polymerize or cross-link the first thermosetting resin; coating the particles so produced with a binder composition comprising a second thermosetting resin and if necessary a catalyst for the second thermosetting resin; forming the particles into a desired shape, either in a mould or on a plate of a press; and subjecting the particles to suitable conditions to polymerize, condense or cross-link the second thermosetting resin to bind the particles together to form the composite product.

Abstract: A method of preparing a starting material for the subsequent manufacture of a finished product such as a board, from a feedstock selected from the group consisting of a lignocellulosic material, exfoliated vermiculite, expanded perlite or a mixture of two or three thereof, includes the steps of providing the feedstock in the form of substantially dry finely divided lignocellulosic fibres or substantially dry finely divided exfoliated vermiculite or expanded perlite particles or a mixture thereof; mixing the feedstock with a suitable amount of a thermosetting resin in finely divided dry powder form and a suitable amount of the hydraulic binder in finely divided dry powder form; and optionally subjecting this starting material to suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to cause the thermosetting resin to set to form a cohesive product thereafter, there may be provided to the cohesive product, water in an amount sufficient for the hydration of the hydraulic binder so that the hydraulic binder sets to for

Abstract: A method of applying a powder coating to a length of a lignocellulosic material. The method comprises impregnating the length of lignocellulosic material with an impregnating composition (i) a dicarboxylic anhydride or a tricarboxylic anhydride dissolved in non-aqueous solvent; (ii) an isocyanate thermosetting resin dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent; or (iii) a combination of (i) or (ii). Any excess impregnating composition is then removed from the lignocellulosic material. Non-aqueous solvent is also removed and the impregnated lignocellulosic material is placed in either an electrostatic field or in a fluidized bed and a powder coating composition is applied thereto so that the powder coating composition adheres to the lignocellulosic material. The impregnated and coated lignocellulosic material is then subjected to elevated temperatures to polymerise and/or cross-link the resin and cure the powder coating composition to form a powder coating.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sheet of a lignocellulosic material such as paper for the manufacture of a finished product, includes the steps of impregnating the sheet with an impregnating composition comprising a composition for the chemical modification of the lignocellulosic material containing a dicarboxylic anhydride or a tricarboxylic anhydride dissolved in a suitable non-aqueous solvent, and a composition for resinating the lignocellulosic material containing an isocyanate thermosetting resin dissolved in a suitable non-aqueous solvent. Thereafter any excess of the impregnating composition is removed from the impregnated lignocellulosic material and the non-aqueous solvent or solvents are removed. Subsequently the sheet of lignocellulosic material so treated may be used in a method of forming an article by adhering a sheet so treated to a second sheet optionally so treated, with a suitable adhesive material. The result is a product which may be used as a building board or the like.