Abstract: Construction materials containing surface modified reinforcements are used to fabricate composite structures. The composite structures comprise a matrix material and surface modified reinforcements, such as fibers and particulates. The surface modifier may be applied to a fiber surface using conventional sizing equipment and provides a durable film on the fiber. The surface modifier may be selected to have multifunctional properties, for example, increasing fiber pull-out strength, imparting bio-active properties, improving moisture resistance and other desirable properties to the composite structure.

Abstract: A gypsum-based composite structure is prepared from a slurry comprising a mixture of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a cellulose ether additive other than CMC and an amount of water that is sufficient to form a slurry. The calcium sulfate hemihydrate is hydrated by the water forming a wallboard core reinforced by the cellulose ether additive. The concentration, viscosity grade and degree of substitution of the cellulose ether are selected to give the composite improved nail pull resistance and greater flexural strength.

Abstract: A reinforced wallboard core is prepared from a slurry comprising a mixture of ?-calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a cellulose ether additive other than CMC and an amount of water that is sufficient to form a slurry and resulting in a wallboard density of less than 0.8 g/cc. The ?-calcium sulfate hemihydrate is hydrated by the water forming a wallboard core reinforced by the cellulose ether additive. The cellulose ether, having a molecular weight of at least about 20,000 and a viscosity grade of at least about 100 cps, is selected to give the reinforced wallboard core improved nail pull resistance and greater flexural strength than unreinforced wallboard of the same density. The reinforced wallboard core may be used for reduced-paper wallboard and/or for lightweight wallboard, for example.

Abstract: Oxygen barrier copolymers and methods of making the same are disclosed. The oxygen barrier copolymers comprise repeating units derived from vinylidene chloride and oxygen scavenging repeating units. The oxygen scavenging repeating units can comprise oxygen scavenging moieties that are cycloalkenyl. Oxygen barrier compositions, methods of preparing oxygen barrier compositions, and packaging articles comprising oxygen barrier copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an oxygen scavenging composition, comprising an oxygen scavenging polymer comprising units having structure I: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of —H and —C1-C6 alkyls and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and an oxidation catalyst. The oxygen scavenging polymer can be used to form an oxygen scavenging packaging article.

Abstract: A reinforced wallboard core is prepared from a slurry comprising a mixture of &bgr;-calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a cellulose ether additive other than CMC and an amount of water that is sufficient to form a slurry and resulting in a wallboard density of less than 0.8 g/cc. The &bgr;-calcium sulfate hemihydrate is hydrated by the water forming a wallboard core reinforced by the cellulose ether additive. The cellulose ether, having a molecular weight of at least about 20,000 and a viscosity grade of at least about 100 cps, is selected to give the reinforced wallboard core improved nail pull resistance and greater flexural strength than unreinforced wallboard of the same density. The reinforced wallboard core may be used for reduced-paper wallboard and/or for lightweight wallboard, for example.

Abstract: A gypsum-based composite structure is prepared from a slurry comprising a mixture of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a cellulose ether additive other than CMC and an amount of water that is sufficient to form a slurry. The calcium sulfate hemihydrate is hydrated by the water forming a wallboard core reinforced by the cellulose ether additive. The concentration, viscosity grade and degree of substitution of the cellulose ether are selected to give the composite improved nail pull resistance and greater flexural strength.

Abstract: Oxygen barrier copolymers and methods of making the same are disclosed. The oxygen barrier copolymers comprise repeating units derived from vinylidene chloride and oxygen scavenging repeating units. The oxygen scavenging repeating units can comprise oxygen scavenging moieties that are cycloalkenyl. Oxygen barrier compositions, methods of preparing oxygen barrier compositions, and packaging articles comprising oxygen barrier copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Construction materials containing surface modified reinforcements are used to fabricate composite structures. The composite structures comprise a matrix material and surface modified reinforcements, such as fibers and particulates. The surface modifier may be applied to a fiber surface using conventional sizing equipment and provides a durable film on the fiber. The surface modifier may be selected to have multifunctional properties, for example, increasing fiber pull-out strength, imparting bio-active properties, improving moisture resistance and other desirable properties to the composite structure.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenging compositions and packaging and methods of producing the same. A first material comprising a blow agent and an oxidizable organic polymer having a polymeric backbone and cyclic olefinic groups is exposed to an elevated temperature and/or pressure sufficient to cause the oxidizable organic polymer to melt and the blow agent to evolve gas, thus creating micro-voids within the polymer material. Such porous oxygen scavenging materials can have a increased oxygen scavenging rate, when compared to oxygen scavenging materials of similar composition that have a non-porous structure.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an oxygen scavenging composition, comprising an oxygen scavenging polymer comprising units having structure I: 1