Abstract: Additives to tall oil pitch react to cause crosslinking which improves hardness, viscosity, tackiness, etc., properties of the modified pitch. Additives include for example maleic anhydride, wood flour, formylated melamine, phenol and other resins, diisocyanates, alcohols and the like. The modified pitch has properties improved for use as binders for briquetting adhesives, etc.

Abstract: A process for impregnating and reacting cellulose particles with oxidated silicon acid to produce lignin-cellulose-silicate and/or cellulose-silicate products impregnated with hydrated silica.

Abstract: Composites are disclosed of discontinuous cellulose fibers mixed with a methylol phenolic modified polyolefin and a bonding agent. Treated fibers are also disclosed, which are treated to reduce fiber-to-fiber interaction so as to facilitate mixing into composites.

Abstract: Ligno-novolak resins, either in the form of physical blends of lignin and novolak resins or as synthetically derived from the reaction of lignin, phenol and an aldehyde in the presence of an acidic catalyst, are provided. The resins, including the physical blends, are curable to thermoset, substantially completely cross-linked resins in which the lignin is interreacted and cross linked through the action of a curing agent such as hexamethylenetetramine. The resins are useful in the production of molding compounds that exhibit properties that are at least comparable to those of compounds derived from novolak resins. Moreover, excellent heat deflection temperatures and superior electrical properties are exhibited by such molding compounds.