Abstract: A composite material containing wet chopped strand fibers, gypsum, and a polymer material is provided. The wet fibers are filamentized within the polymer material. In exemplary embodiments, the wet chopped strand fibers are wet-used chopped strand glass fibers. The gypsum may be ?-gypsum, ?-gypsum, or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the polymer is a urea-formaldehyde resin. The composite material may contain a facing layer on at least one exposed major surface of the composite material. A method of forming a composite material that includes mixing gypsum with a polymer material to form a substantially homogeneous matrix and adding a sufficient quantity of wet-used chopped strand fibers to form the composite material is also provided.

Abstract: A composite material containing substantially homogeneous matrix of a gypsum material and a urea-formaldehyde material where wet-used chopped strand fibers are filamentized within the substantially homogeneous matrix.

Abstract: A composite material containing substantially homogeneous matrix of a gypsum material and a urea-formaldehyde material where wet-used chopped strand fibers are filamentized within the substantially homogeneous matrix.

Abstract: A size composition for reinforcement fibers used to form non-woven mats that contain variable amounts of individual filaments dispersed from chopped reinforcement fiber bundles is provided. The size composition contains a polyvinylamine film former, one or more silane coupling agents, and, optionally a lubricant. The size composition works in conjunction with the whitewater components in a wet-laid mat forming process to disperse individual filaments from the bundles of chopped fibers. The whitewater contains an anionic polyacrylamide viscosity modifier and/or a cationic or non-ionic amine dispersant (e.g., ethoxylated amine). The presence of a cationic or non-ionic amine in the whitewater disperses individual filaments from the chopped glass fiber bundles. The greater the amount of cationic or non-ionic amine present in the whitewater, the greater the amount of fiber dispersion.

Abstract: A reinforced chopped strand mat formed of a plurality of chopped reinforcement fibers and at least one continuous element positioned in a substantially parallel orientation in the machine direction is provided. In the reinforced chopped strand mat, the fibers are dispersed in a randomly oriented configuration at least partially surrounding the continuous elements. In preferred embodiments, the continuous element is either a wet continuous glass strand or a dry continuous yarn. The continuous elements are positioned within the chopped strand mat in a parallel or substantially parallel orientation and may be substantially equidistant from each other or irregularly spaced. Desirably, the continuous elements are equidistantly spaced about 0.25 inches to about 3 inches apart. The continuous elements simultaneously improve tensile strength and tear strength of the reinforced chopped strand mat. Methods of forming the reinforced chopped strand mat are also provided.