Abstract: A fiber size composition contains a modified polyolefin, a hydrophilic coupling agent, a boron-containing, fluorine-containing compound, a blend of at least two fatty acids and a compound selected from phosphorus(V) compounds and sulfur(VI) compounds, the fiber size composition being substantially free of conventional lower oxidation state antioxidants and optical brighteners. Composite materials produced from reinforcing fiber materials sized with a fiber size composition according to the invention exhibit improved properties such as, for example, increased strength and/or improved color stability.

Abstract: A fiber size composition contains a modified polyolefin, a hydrophilic coupling agent, a boron-containing, fluorine-containing compound, a blend of at least two fatty acids and a compound selected from phosphorus(V) compounds and sulfur(VI) compounds, the fiber size composition being substantially free of conventional lower oxidation state antioxidants and optical brighteners. Composite materials produced from reinforcing fiber materials sized with a fiber size composition according to the invention exhibit improved properties such as, for example, increased strength and/or improved color stability.

Abstract: A fiber-size composition contains a modified polyolefin, a hydrophilic coupling agent, and an enhancer with at least one of the following: a fluorine-containing compound, a hydrophobic coupling agent, a cyclic fatty acid, or at least two saturated fatty acids with at least one of said fatty acids having at least two acid groups. When reinforcing fiber materials sized with the composition are used to form composite articles, the articles show improved properties such as strength and color.

Abstract: A two-part sizing formulation that imparts improved strength of reinforced composites including a size composition and a binder composition is provided. The size composition may include one or more coupling agents and one or more film forming agents. The binder composition includes a high acid number copolymer formed from the polymerization of maleic anhydride or maleic acid and at least one other desired monomer and/or a high acid number polycarboxylic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition includes an ethylene-maleic acid copolymer formed by the hydrolysis of an ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer. The size composition may be applied to a reinforcing fiber material before the binder size material is applied. The two-part size composition may be applied to a reinforcing fiber material to form a reinforcing fiber product which may then be densified or compacted to form a densified reinforcing fiber product, such as a pellet.

Abstract: A fiber size composition contains a modified polyolefin, a hydrophilic coupling agent, a boron-containing, fluorine-containing compound, a blend of at least two fatty acids and a compound selected from phosphorus(V) compounds and sulfur(VI) compounds, the fiber size composition being substantially free of conventional lower oxidation state antioxidants and optical brighteners. Composite materials produced from reinforcing fiber materials sized with a fiber size composition according to the invention exhibit improved properties such as, for example, increased strength and/or improved color stability.

Abstract: A polycarboxy binder composition that contains a dextrin as a co-binder is provided. The dextrin co-binder may be a dextrin, a modified dextrin, a maltodextrin, or combinations thereof. The dextrin may be chemically modified. A pre-binder composition is formed that contains a polycarboxy polymer, a crosslinking agent, and optionally a catalyst. The polycarboxy polymer may be a homopolymer or copolymer prepared from unsaturated carboxylic acids and may be modified to contain one or more vinyl compounds. The crosslinking agent may be a polyol that contains at least two hydroxyl groups. The pre-binder composition may be formed by admixing the polycarboxy polymer, the crosslinking agent, and optionally, the catalyst, in a mixing device. Dextrin may be added to the pre-binder composition in an amount of from 10-75% of the total binder composition. The dextrin binder composition may have a ratio of from approximately 90:10 to 25:75 pre-binder:dextrin co-binder.

Abstract: A fiber-size composition contains a modified polyolefin, a hydrophilic coupling agent, and an enhancer with at least one of the following: a fluorine-containing compound, a hydrophobic coupling agent, a cyclic fatty acid, or at least two saturated fatty acids with at least one of said fatty acids having at least two acid groups. When reinforcing fiber materials sized with the composition are used to form composite articles, the articles show improved properties such as strength and color.

Abstract: A two-part sizing system for making colorless, densified fiber pellets of a reinforcing fiber material. The densified product may be advantageously produced by first applying a precursor size composition to reinforcing fiber strands, chopping the reinforcing fiber strands into chopped strand segments, applying a binder size, and densifying the chopped strand segments to form densified fiber pellets. The binder size is formulated using a copolymer of maleic anhydride which generates a product free from discoloration. In the process of making the pellets, the sized chopped strands are densified by tumbling in a rotating chamber for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.