The present invention provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of fibers, the coating comprising an organic component and lamellar particles having a thermal conductivity of at least 1 Watt per meter K at a temperature of 300K The present invention also provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of fibers, the coating comprising an organic component and non-hydratable, lamellar particles The present invention further provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of fibers having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a portion of a surface of at least one of said fibers, the resin compatible coating composition comprising: (a) a plurality of discrete particles formed from materials selected from non-heat expandable organic materials, inorganic polymeric materials, non-heat expandable composite materials and mixtures thereof, the particles having an average particle size sufficient to allow strand wet out; (b) at least one lubricious material different from said plurality of discrete particles; and (c) at least one film-forming material The present invention also provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of glass fibers having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a portion of a surface of at least one of said glass fibers, the resin compatible coating composition comprising: (a) a plurality of lamellar, inorganic particles having a Mohs' hardness value which does not exceed the Mohs' hardness value of said glass fibers; and (b) at least one polymeric material The present invention further provides an at least partially coated fiber strand comprising a plurality of glass fibers having a resin compatible coating composition on at least a portion of a surface of at least one of said glass fibers, the resin compatible coating composition comprising: (a) a plurality of hollow, non-heat expandable organic particles; and (b) at least one lubricious material different from the at least one hollow organic particle

Impregnated glass fiber strands and products including the same

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.

Bio-based binders for insulation and non-woven mats

A surface-modified fibrous material is provided for incorporation in a thermoplastic matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite article. Good binding between the fibrous material and the thermoplastic matrix is achieved through the presence of finely roughened surfaces on the fibers of nanoparticles of an inorganic material. Such nanoparticles are provided from an alkaline aqueous size composition containing the nanoparticles dispersed therein (as described). The fibrous material may be provided in continuous or discontinuous form. In a preferred embodiment glass fibers are initially provided in continuous form followed by cutting into discontinuous lengths and drying with the retention of the nanoparticles on the surfaces of the fibers. The surface-roughened fibrous material is incorporated in a thermoplastic matrix as fibrous reinforcement with the application of heat whereby the thermoplastic matrix is rendered melt processable. In preferred embodiments injection or compression molding is utilized. Improved long-fiber thermoplastics also may be formed to advantage.

Modified fibers for use in the formation of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite articles and process

A composition useful as a restorative material includes a curable matrix with whiskers which preferably have a silicon dioxide containing coating thereon that are then silinazed and may also include optional particulate filler of the type which may release fluorides. The polymeric matrix bonds more tightly to the whiskers due to the coating of silicon dioxide on the surface of the whiskers and the coaction between said silicon dioxide and the silane compound. Particles adhered to the whisker also enhance the mechanical properties by virtue of the whisker's surface being thereby roughened. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Reinforcement of dental and other composite materials

A curable binder composition consisting essentially of one or more ammonium salt of an inorganic acid and at least one carbohydrate, and the use thereof as a thermosetting binder. Also described are composite materials comprising the curable binder composition, and methods of application.

Rapid cure carbohydrate composition

Fibrous insulation products have an aqueous binder composition that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid.

Insulative products having bio-based binders

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a modified starch and a silane coupling agent, and optionally, a crosslinking agent. The starch from which the modified starch is derived is natural in origin, biorenewable, and is derived from plant sources. The modified starch has been chemically modified from its natural form and may have a degree of polymerization from about 20 to about 4000. Additionally, the modified starches have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. Advantageously, the modified starches are water dispersible and have excellent resistance to water after curing. In addition, the binder has a light color after being cured. The crosslinking agent may be any compound suitable for crosslinking the starch based compound. In exemplary embodiments, the silane coupling agent is an aminosilane. The environmentally friendly, biorenewable binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats.

Modified starch based binder

A composite having enhanced flame retardant behavior includes a polymer and glass fibers coated with fumed silica. The composite can be based on a wide variety of polymers such as polybutylene and polyethylene terephthalates, polycarbonates, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and nylons. The glass fibers are also preferably coated with fibrillar polytetrafluoroethylene.

Glass fibers having fumed silica coating

Fibrous insulation products manufactured with surfactants and methods for making are disclosed. The surfactant may be neutral or charged and, if charged, may be anionic, cationic or zwittenonic, although neutral or non-ionic provide suitable results. The surfactant may be of any chemical structure class, although ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated ethers have been found most suitable. Surfactant may be sprayed onto mineral fibers as a separate dispersion or as part of a binder dispersion. The surfactant my optionally be used with an organo-silane coupling agent, such as an amino-silane.

Christopher M. Hawkins

Papers

Bio-based binders for insulation and non-woven mats

Insulative products having bio-based binders

Modified starch based binder

Glass fibers having fumed silica coating

Use of Surfactants To Improve Aged Properties of Fiberglass Insulation Products