Abstract: An aqueous binder composition, useful for making fiber products, especially fiberglass insulation, comprising an aqueous substantially alkaline (pH of at least 5.0) solution of a polyol and a hydrolyzed (solubilized) copolymer of maleic anhydride and a vinyl aromatic compound, preferably styrene (i.e., a SMA copolymer); the copolymer is solubilized using ammonia, an ammine, a primary alkanolamines (preferably monoethanolamine), a secondary alkanolamine (preferably diethanolamine (DEA)), a tertiary alkanolamine (preferably triethanolamine (TEA)), or a mixture thereof and the binder composition is cured as a consequence of cross-linking, esterification reactions between pendant carboxyls on the solubilized (hydrolyzed) copolymer (SMA) chains and hydroxyl groups of the polyol, including the diethanolamine and/or triethanolamine preferably used in the solubilization of the SMA.

Abstract: A method for making storage-stable glyoxalated inter-copolymers with higher and adjustable charge density suitable for use as a strengthening agent for paper. The glyoxalated inter-copolymers can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly recycled paper and mechanical printing paper.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a blend of two or more paper strengthening agents have improved stability compared with previously known paper strengthening agents. One component is a polymeric paper strengthening agent, preferably a wet strengthening agent. The other component is a stabilized polyacrylamide prepared by (1) reacting a first portion of glyoxal with a polyacrylamide having pendant amide groups to form a first reaction mixture comprising polyacrylamide; (2) adding an acid to the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture having a reduced pH and comprising the polyacrylamide; and (3) adding a second portion of glyoxal to the second reaction mixture to form the stabilized polyacrylamide. If desired, an aldehyde scavenger can be included in one or more of step (1), step (2), step (3), or the stabilized polyacrylamide. Such compositions can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly the wet strength of paper.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a blend of two or more paper strengthening agents have improved stability compared with previously known paper strengthening agents. One component is a polymeric paper strengthening agent, preferably a wet strengthening agent. The other component is a stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide prepared by (1) reacting a first portion of glyoxal with a polyacrylamide having pendant amide groups to form a first reaction mixture comprising glyoxalated polyacrylamide; (2) adding an acid to the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture having a reduced pH and comprising the glyoxalated polyacrylamide; and (3) adding a second portion of glyoxal to the second reaction mixture to form the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. If desired, an aldehyde scavenger can be included in one or more of step (1), step (2), step (3), or the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. Such compositions can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly the wet strength of paper.

Abstract: Cationic thermosetting resins and especially resins having azetidinium functional groups, such as polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resins, are stabilized against premature gelation by the addition of (1) a low molecular weight, non-aldehyde, non-ionic, water soluble organic stabilizing compound (preferably one that is reactive with the cationic moiety), preferably in combination with (2) a water soluble, inorganic complexing metal salt.

Abstract: A sizing composition comprises a blend of at least two anionic copolymers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a cationic polyacrylamide composition particularly suitable for making a glyoxylated polyacrylamide composition useful as a temporary wet-strengthening agent and the composition resulting from that method, along with the use of the composition for adding temporary wet strength to paper and the resulting strengthened paper products.

Abstract: Thermosetting adhesive compositions for use in e.g., particleboard or fiberboard, wherein the compositions comprise a blend of a protein-based component and a polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant, can provide the fast tack-building and curing, as well as ultimately good bonding characteristics normally associated with synthetic resin compositions. Preferably, the polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant is the reaction product of a polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition, useful for making fiber products, especially fiberglass insulation, comprising an aqueous substantially alkaline (pH of at least 5.0) solution of a polyol and a hydrolyzed (solubilized) copolymer of maleic anhydride and a vinyl aromatic compound, preferably styrene (i.e., a SMA copolymer); the copolymer is solubilized using ammonia, a secondary alkanolamine (preferably diethanolamine (DEA)), a tertiary alkanolamine (preferably triethanolamine (TEA)), or a mixture thereof and the binder composition is cured as a consequence of cross-linking, esterification reactions between pendant carboxyls on the solubilized (hydrolyzed) copolymer (SMA) chains and hydroxyl groups of the polyol, including the diethanolamine and/or triethanolamine preferably used in the solubilization of the SMA.

Abstract: An aqueous, formaldehyde-free binder composition comprising a modified copolymer of maleic anhydride and a vinyl aromatic compound such as styrene, the copolymer being modified by reaction with a primary alkanolamine, such as monoethanolamine (MEA), to produce a modified copolymer that is self-curing and cures as a consequence of cross-linking, esterification reactions between pendant carboxyls and hydroxyl groups on the solubilized (hydrolyzed) modified copolymer chains; the invention also relates to the corresponding method of using the binder composition for making fiber products, especially fiberglass insulation.

Abstract: Termosetting adhesives for use in e.g., particleboard or fiberboard, wherein the adhesives comprise a resin having azetidinium functional groups, can provide fast tack-building and curing, as well as ultimately excellent bonding characteristics. Preferably, the azetidinium-functional resin is formed from the reaction product of a polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: A method for making storage-stable glyoxalated inter-copolymers with higher and adjustable charge density suitable for use as a strengthening agent for paper. The glyoxalated inter-copolymers can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly recycled paper and mechanical printing paper.

Abstract: A composition for surface sizing and strengthening of paper and other cellulosic products and the related sizing method and resulting sized product, wherein the composition is an aqueous mixture of a film-forming binder, such as starch and an anionic polymer and a cationic polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a storage-stable glyoxalated polyacrylamide composition suitable for use as a strengthening agent for paper in which the glyoxal is added to the base polyacrylamide polymer in two portions and a scavenger for aldehyde groups is used.

Abstract: Thermosetting adhesive compositions for use in e.g., particleboard or fiberboard, wherein the compositions comprise a blend of a protein-based component and a polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant, can provide the fast tack-building and curing, as well as ultimately good bonding characteristics normally associated with synthetic resin compositions. Preferably, the polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant is the reaction product of a polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: Aldehyde scavengers which are adducts of choline or a choline salt and an optionally substituted acrylamide monomer can be used to stabilize glyoxalated polyacrylamide compositions and to provide supplementary cationic charges for the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Aldehyde scavengers which are adducts of choline or a choline salt and an optionally substituted acrylamide monomer can be used to stabilize glyoxalated polyacrylamide compositions and to provide supplementary cationic charges for the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a blend of two or more paper strengthening agents have improved stability compared with previously known paper strengthening agents. One component is a polymeric paper strengthening agent, preferably a wet strengthening agent. The other component is a stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide prepared by (1) reacting a first portion of glyoxal with a polyacrylamide having pendant amide groups to form a first reaction mixture comprising glyoxalated polyacrylamide; (2) adding an acid to the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture having a reduced pH and comprising the glyoxalated polyacrylamide; and (3) adding a second portion of glyoxal to the second reaction mixture to form the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. If desired, an aldehyde scavenger can be included in one or more of step (1), step (2), step (3), or the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. Such compositions can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly the wet strength of paper.

Abstract: Thermosetting adhesive compositions for use in e.g., particleboard or fiberboard, wherein the compositions comprise a blend of a protein-based component and a polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant, can provide the fast tack-building and curing, as well as ultimately good bonding characteristics normally associated with synthetic resin compositions. Preferably, the polymeric quaternary amine cure accelerant is the reaction product of a polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: A method for making a storage-stable glyoxalated polyacrylamide composition suitable for use as a strengthening agent for paper in which the glyoxal is added to the base polyacrylamide polymer in two portions and a scavenger for aldehyde groups is used.