Abstract: Exotherm suppressant compositions are described that include a resin, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic resin, and at least one cyclic urea compound. Such compositions have no free formaldehyde, contain no antimony and are halogen free, for example. As described, such compositions can be used as binders, for example, to bind organic, inorganic fibers, and/or minerals. Also described are binder-containing fiberglass products that include glass fibers and a binder. The binder-containing fiberglass products have reduced formaldehyde emissions.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Glass fiber products, including glass fiber mat and insulation products, are described. A glass fiber mat may include glass fibers and a binder. The binder may include cured products from a carbohydrate binder composition. The carbohydrate binder composition may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The carbohydrate binder composition may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. as measured with a Brookfield viscometer using spindle 18 at 60 rpm. Glass fiber mats may include a component of a roofing shingle. Glass fiber mats may be a facer, battery separator, a filtration media, or a backing mat.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Fiber-containing products are described that include a cured binder formed from a binder composition that may include a sugar alcohol having three or more carbon atoms, and a polymeric polycarboxylic acid. The binder composition may be characterized by a mole ratio of hydroxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups greater than or about 1.1:1. The fiber-containing product may also be characterized by a thermal stability that is greater than a comparative fiber-containing product made with a comparative cured binder that includes the polymeric polycarboxylic acid but lacks the sugar alcohol. The fiber-containing products may include thermal insulation products such as building insulation, pipe insulation, duct insulation, and appliance insulation.

Abstract: Processes of making a non-woven glass fiber mat are described. The process may include forming an aqueous dispersion of fibers. The process may also include passing the dispersion through a mat forming screen to form a wet mat. The process may further include applying a carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat to form a binder-containing wet mat. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches. The process may include curing the binder-containing wet mat to form the non-woven glass fiber mat.

Abstract: Binder compositions for fiberglass are disclosed, comprising a polycarboxylic acid such as polyacrylic acid and a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking agent comprises a polyhydroxy component formed from a reaction of an epoxidized plant oil with an amine and optionally with a phenolic compound. The molar ratio of the amine to the epoxidized plant oil at the beginning of said reaction may be greater than 1:1. Methods of making the binders and fiber-containing composites made with said binders are also described.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free binder compositions are described that include an aldehyde or ketone, a reaction product between a polyamine and an organic anhydride, and an acidic compound. The acidic compound may be an organic acid, an acidic catalyst, or both. The acidic compound is supplied in quantities that lower the pH of the binder composition to about 5 or less. The binder compositions may be used in methods of binding fiberglass and the resulting fiberglass products have an improved tensile strength due to the addition of the acidic compound.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free binder compositions are described that include an aldehyde or ketone, a reaction product between a polyamine and an organic anhydride, and an acidic compound. The acidic compound may be an organic acid, an acidic catalyst, or both. The acidic compound is supplied in quantities that lower the pH of the binder composition to about 5 or less. The binder compositions may be used in methods of binding fiberglass and the resulting fiberglass products have an improved tensile strength due to the addition of the acidic compound.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Fiber-containing products are described that include a cured binder formed from a binder composition that may include a sugar alcohol having three or more carbon atoms, and a polymeric polycarboxylic acid. The binder composition may be characterized by a mole ratio of hydroxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups greater than or about 1.1:1. The fiber-containing product may also be characterized by a thermal stability that is greater than a comparative fiber-containing product made with a comparative cured binder that includes the polymeric polycarboxylic acid but lacks the sugar alcohol. The fiber-containing products may include thermal insulation products such as building insulation, pipe insulation, duct insulation, and appliance insulation.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free binder compositions are described that include an aldehyde or ketone, a reaction product between a polyamine and an organic anhydride, and an acidic compound. The acidic compound may be an organic acid, an acidic catalyst, or both. The acidic compound is supplied in quantities that lower the pH of the binder composition to about 5 or less. The binder compositions may be used in methods of binding fiberglass and the resulting fiberglass products have an improved tensile strength due to the addition of the acidic compound.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 10×106 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Fiber-containing composites are described that include woven or non-woven fibers, and a binder that holds the fibers together. The binder may include the reaction product of a starch and a polycarboxylic acid. The starch has a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons. The fiber-containing composite has an unaged tensile strength of greater than 4.0 and an aged tensile strength greater than 3.0. Also described are methods of making the fiber-containing composites. The methods may include applying a binder composition to fibers to form coated fibers, measuring a moisture content of the coated fibers, and curing the coated fibers in a curing oven to form the fiber-containing composite. The binder composition may include a starch having a weight average molecular weight that ranges from 1×106 Daltons to 1×107 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free binder compositions are described that include an aldehyde or ketone, a reaction product between a polyamine and an organic anhydride, and an acidic compound. The acidic compound may be an organic acid, an acidic catalyst, or both. The acidic compound is supplied in quantities that lower the pH of the binder composition to about 5 or less. The binder compositions may be used in methods of binding fiberglass and the resulting fiberglass products have an improved tensile strength due to the addition of the acidic compound.

Abstract: Soy protein and carbohydrate containing binder compositions are described. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a soy protein. The binder compositions may also optionally include thickening agents such as modified celluloses and polysaccharides.

Abstract: Processes of making a non-woven glass fiber mat are described. The process may include forming an aqueous dispersion of fibers. The process may also include passing the dispersion through a mat forming screen to form a wet mat. The process may further include applying a carbohydrate binder composition to the wet mat to form a binder-containing wet mat. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches. The process may include curing the binder-containing wet mat to form the non-woven glass fiber mat.

Abstract: Viscosity-modified carbohydrate binder compositions are described. The binder compositions may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a thickening agent. The binder compositions may have a Brookfield viscosity of 7 to 50 centipoise at 20° C. The thickening agents may include modified celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and starches.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel binder system and its use for consolidating textile fabrics, as well as to products containing such consolidated textile fabrics. The materials according to the invention are suitable for the manufacture of reinforcing inserts, optionally in combination with at least one further textile fabric, for coated sarking membranes, roofing and waterproofing sheets, as textile backings or textile reinforcement in flooring, in particular in fitted carpets and PVC flooring, or in facers in wall coatings both in the interior and exterior of buildings, as well as in furniture.