Abstract: A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system falls below about 8.5, thereby substantially reducing the corrosion rate of the components of the equipment associated with acidic polyacrylic acid binder, maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder and washwater solution. A closed-loop hoodwall washwater recovery system may also be introduced in addition to the neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of polyacrylic acid binder and maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder with a minimal amount of base solution, thereby minimizing degradation of insulation properties of polyacylic acid bound glass fiber products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of extended polyacrylic acid based binder compositions comprising a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid (typically hypophosphite or sulfite terminated), a crosslinking agent (such as triethanolamine or glycerol) and one or more water soluble materials, such as lignin, low molecular weight starch and soybean protein. The extended binder composition of the present invention provides a lower cost binder composition without degrading the performance and may be selected to alter one or more characteristics of the basic binder composition such binder wetting, emulsion compatibility, dust suppression and wash water flow properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a binder composition comprising a low molecular weight polycarboxylic acid, such as maleic anhydride, and a low molecular weight poly alcohol, such as polyvinyl alcohol, that exhibits improved cure performance with reduced emissions without sacrificing the performance of the final product or complication the manufacturing process. The binder composition may also incorporate a cure catalyst or accelerant such as sodium hypophosphite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a binder composition comprising a low molecular weight polycarboxylic acid, such as maleic anhydride, and a low molecular weight poly alcohol, such as polyvinyl alcohol, that exhibits improved cure performance with reduced emissions without sacrificing the performance of the final product or complication the manufacturing process. The binder composition may also incorporate a cure catalyst or accelerant such as sodium hypophosphite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of extended polyacrylic acid based binder compositions comprising a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid (typically hypophosphite or sulfite terminated), a crosslinking agent (such as triethanolamine or glycerol) and one or more water soluble materials, such as lignin, low molecular weight starch and soybean protein. The extended binder composition of the present invention provides a lower cost binder composition without degrading the performance and may be selected to alter one or more characteristics of the basic binder composition such binder wetting, emulsion compatibility, dust suppression and wash water flow properties.

Abstract: A formaldehyde free co-binder solution formed by using a polyol to crosslink polycarboxylic acid and a polyacid monomer is provided. In forming the co-binder solution, the polyacid monomer and the polyol are mixed in any conventional device with heat and agitation for a period of time sufficient for the chemicals to react and form a reaction product. The resultant product is then admixed with polycarboxylic acid to form a co-binder solution. In a preferred embodiment, the polyacid is maleic anhydride and the polyol is triethanolamine.

Abstract: A polycarboxylic acid based binder material used in fiberglass media products. The binder material eliminates the odor and emissions complaints associated with urea phenol formaldehyde based binder systems and has a significantly longer shelf life. The polycarboxylic acid based binder material has a loss of ignition value of between approximately 15 and 20 percent is applied in a one-step process. Preferably, the binder material comprises a polycarboxylic acid binder, and more preferably a polyacrylic acid binder. The polycarboxylic acid binder is crosslinked with either glycerol or triethanol amine. A silane-coupling agent is typically added at approximately 0.1 percent based on binder solids to improve adhesion of the binder to the fiberglass wool reinforcement.

Abstract: A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system falls below about 8.5, thereby substantially reducing the corrosion rate of the components of the equipment associated with acidic polyacrylic acid binder, maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder and washwater solution. A closed-loop hoodwall washwater recovery system may also be introduced in addition to the neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of polyacrylic acid binder and maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder with a minimal amount of base solution, thereby minimizing degradation of insulation properties of polyacylic acid bound glass fiber products.