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.

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.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising the steps of (vi) providing MMVF; (vii) providing an uncured binder composition; (viii) providing a superabsorbent polymer; (ix) forming a mixture of the MMVF, the uncured binder composition and the superabsorbent polymer; (x) curing the uncured binder composition in the mixture to form the coherent growth substrate product; wherein the uncured binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

A formaldehyde-free binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one phenol containing compound and at least one protein.

A formaldehyde-free binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one phenol containing compound and at least one protein.

An aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

An aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers which comprises at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

An elongate fiber artificial muscle includes or consists of an elongate carbon or glass fiber and at least a partial coating of a polymer, and preferably a full shell coating to form a core-shell arrangement, that is volumetrically responsive to thermal changes or to moisture changes. Additional elongate fiber artificial muscles of the invention include a plurality of elongate carbon or glass fibers that are infiltrated between the fibers with a polymer that is volumetrically responsive to thermal changes or to moisture changes. In a fabrication method, the rheology (flow characteristic) of a polymer precursor is adjusted with solvent so it is less viscous. A fiber or plurality of fibers (pre-twisted or untwisted), such as a tow is dipped in the polymer precursor. The fiber or fibers is then pulled out of the polymer precursor and hung to allow polymer to distribute and then cured and can be twisted to coil prior to curing. A model is provided to fabricate elongate fiber artificial muscle with specific characteristics based upon a thermal or moisture expansion coefficient of the polymer, its elongation capability percentage before flaking or breaking, and its elastic modulus.

An organic-inorganic composite, including: a discontinuous phase having a plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of an inorganic material; and a continuous organic phase having a thermoplastic polymer, such that the continuous organic phase surrounds the plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of the inorganic material, and the organic-inorganic composite is a plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of inorganic material contained within a similarly oriented host fiber of the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the composite.

An organic-inorganic composite, including: a discontinuous phase having a plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of an inorganic material; and a continuous organic phase having a thermoplastic polymer, such that the continuous organic phase surrounds the plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of the inorganic material, and the organic-inorganic composite is a plurality of adjacent and similarly oriented fibers of inorganic material contained within a similarly oriented host fiber of the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the composite.