Abstract: A powder coated roving material for making structural parts is provided. The powder coated roving includes a bundle of fibers at least substantially coated with a powder coating material. The bundle is formed of a plurality of inner fibers and a plurality of outer fibers surrounding the inner fibers. The size composition maintains the fibers in a bundled orientation during processing and releases the fibers during molding. The size composition includes an epoxy resin emulsion containing at least one surfactant and a solid epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight from about 450 to about 950, at least one epoxy silane coupling agent, at least one non-ionic lubricant, at least one cationic lubricant, and at least one organic acid. In addition, the size composition may have an acetone solubility from about 30% to about 75%. A method of making a composite roving is also provided.

Abstract: A synthetic building panel configured to cover a wall surface is provided. The synthetic building panel includes a plurality of slurry-based layers and a plurality of reinforcement layers interspersed between and in contact with the plurality of slurry-based layers. The material forming the slurry-based layers is a polymer modified inorganic binder material.

Abstract: A sizing composition for reinforcement fibers that includes a cationic modified polyurethane dispersion, one or more silane coupling agents, and at least one lubricant is provided. The cationic modified polyurethane dispersion includes a dual end-capped polyurethane selected from a silane-terminated polyurethane, a ketoxime-terminated polyurethane, or a hybrid silane/ketoxime-terminated polyurethane where one end of the polyurethane is terminated with a silane group and the opposing end is terminated with a ketoxime group. The size composition is applied to reinforcement fibers and formed into chopped strand, wet-laid mats that can be used for a variety of purposes, including roofing products. Chopped strand mats formed from fibers sized with the inventive sizing composition maintains or improves the dry tear strengths and wet strengths compared to chopped strand mats made from fibers sized with a commercial sizing composition that does not contain a modified cationic polyurethane dispersion (e.g., SPUD).

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: Methods of forming composite rovings formed of reinforcing fibers coated with at least one matrix resin are provided. The matrix resin may be any thermoplastic or thermoset powder or thermoplastic or thermoset emulsion, and is applied to reinforcement fibers after a size composition has been applied. The matrix resin may be applied to the reinforcing fiber in an amount from about 20 to about 35% by weight of the composite fiber. The fibers travel a distance sufficient to dry the size and the matrix resin. In exemplary embodiments, the distance may be from about 20 to about 150 feet. A heating apparatus may be utilized to assist in drying the fibers. The end composite fiber product is a composite roving that is formed in one step during the glass forming process and can be used in further processing steps to form composite parts without the need to add additional resin.

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: The formation and bulk packaging of continuous wet roving is provided. Glass fibers are attenuated from a bushing, gathered into a roving, and collected as a loose, wet mass in a container assembly. A rotating deflector assembly is used to reduce the velocity of the wet roving in-line and to direct the wet continuous roving into the container. The deflector is formed of a plurality of fingers extending radially from a central hub. The curved end of the fingers permits both for the capture and easy release of the roving from the deflector. A stripper assembly may be used to remove the wet continuous roving from the fingers. After being released from the fingers, the wet roving is permitted to fall into the container assembly under the force of gravity. The wet bulk continuous roving can be utilized in various processes that form long fiber thermoplastics and reinforced composite articles.

Abstract: A powder coated roving material for making structural parts is provided. The powder coated roving includes a bundle of fibers at least substantially coated with a powder coating material. The bundle is formed of a plurality of inner fibers and a plurality of outer fibers surrounding the inner fibers. The size composition maintains the fibers in a bundled orientation during processing and releases the fibers during molding. The size composition includes an epoxy resin emulsion containing at least one surfactant and a solid epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight from about 450 to about 950, at least one epoxy silane coupling agent, at least one non-ionic lubricant, at least one cationic lubricant, and at least one organic acid. In addition, the size composition may have an acetone solubility from about 30% to about 75%. A method of making a composite roving is also provided.

Abstract: A polymer composite multiend roving material used to make structural composite parts includes a bundle of fibers held together by a high integrity sizing composition and surrounded by a powder coating polymer material. The powder coating material is approximately 10-80% of the dry weight of the multiend composite roving weight. The multiend composite roving material may then be easily processed further to form a molded composite part having good mechanical properties and high fiber content.

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 roofing product is disclosed including a structural layer of composite material and a gel coat cover layer. The structural layer of composite material is formed by (a) a substantially homogeneous matrix of gypsum material and a polymer resin material and (b) wet-used chopped strand fibers. The wet-used chopped strand fibers are substantially filamentized with the substantially homogeneous matrix. In addition, a method for making a roofing product is disclosed.

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 sizing composition for reinforcement fibers that includes a cationic modified polyurethane dispersion, one or more silane coupling agents, and at least one lubricant is provided. The cationic modified polyurethane dispersion includes a dual end-capped polyurethane selected from a silane-terminated polyurethane, a ketoxime-terminated polyurethane, or a hybrid silane/ketoxime-terminated polyurethane where one end of the polyurethane is terminated with a silane group and the opposing end is terminated with a ketoxime group. The size composition is applied to reinforcement fibers and formed into chopped strand, wet-laid mats that can be used for a variety of purposes, including roofing products. Chopped strand mats formed from fibers sized with the inventive sizing composition maintains or improves the dry tear strengths and wet strengths compared to chopped strand mats made from fibers sized with a commercial sizing composition that does not contain a modified cationic polyurethane dispersion (e.g., SPUD).

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.

Abstract: A sizing composition containing an epoxy resin emulsion, one or more coupling agents, a cationic lubricant, and an acid. The epoxy resin emulsion includes a low molecular weight epoxy and one or more surfactants. The epoxy resin has an epoxy equivalent weight of from 175-225, preferably from 175-190. Optionally, the sizing composition may also contain a non-ionic lubricant, a polyurethane film former, and/or an antistatic agent. The sizing composition may be used to size glass fibers used in filament winding applications to form reinforced composite articles with improved mechanical properties, wet tensile properties, improved resistance to cracking, and improved processing characteristics.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. The composite material includes a continuous roving made from a material selected from a group consisting of natural fibers, mineral fibers, synthetic fibers, kenaf fibers, hemp fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers and mixtures thereof impregnated with a water-based matrix binder including gypsum, a polymer and water.

Abstract: A thin drywall board that includes a gel coat, at least one polymer/gypsum layer, and a wet glass fiber layer is provided. The gel coat is formed of a gel coat composition that includes a water dispersible polymer, gypsum, and optionally a crosslinking agent and/or a coupling agent. The polymer/gypsum layer is formed of a matrix composition that includes a water dispersible polymeric resin and gypsum. Components including melamine formaldehyde, a filler material, coupling agents, acetic acid, an accelerator, and/or a hardener may also be added to the matrix composition. The wet glass fiber layer is preferably a glass fiber mat. The combination of the water dispersible polymeric resin and the gypsum in the matrix composition have a synergistic effect that creates a thin drywall board that is water resistant, fire resistant, and has improved mechanical properties. A method of forming the inventive thin drywall boards is also provided.

Abstract: A polymer composite multiend roving material used to make structural composite parts is comprised bundle of fibers held together by a high integrity sizing composition and surrounded by a powder coating polymer material. The powder coating material is approximately 10-80% of the dry weight of the multiend composite roving weight. The multiend composite roving material may then be easily processed further to form a molded composite part having good mechanical properties and high fiber content.

Abstract: A method for making moldable material comprises the initial step of providing a composite material comprised in part of an epoxy. A high performance strand is then distributed in the composite material to form a moldable material. Lastly, the moldable material is heated sufficiently to cause the composite material and the high performance strand to stick at least slightly together without melting the epoxy.

Abstract: A method for making moldable material comprises the initial step of providing a composite material comprised in part of an epoxy. A high performance strand is then distributed in the composite material to form a moldable material. Lastly, the moldable material is heated sufficiently to cause the composite material and the high performance strand to stick at least slightly together without melting the epoxy.