A method of manufacturing a mineral fibre thermal insulation product comprises the sequential steps of: Forming mineral fibres from a molten mineral mixture; Spraying a substantially formaldehyde free binder solution on to the mineral fibres, the binder solution comprising: a reducing sugar, an acid precursor derivable from an inorganic salt and a source of nitrogen; Collecting the mineral fibres to which the binder solution has been applied to form a batt of mineral fibres; and Curing the batt comprising the mineral fibres and the binder which is in contact with the mineral fibres by passing the batt through a curing oven so as to provide a batt of mineral fibres held together by a substantially water insoluble cured binder.

A method of manufacturing a mineral fibre thermal insulation product comprises the sequential steps of: Forming mineral fibres from a molten mineral mixture; Spraying a substantially formaldehyde free binder solution on to the mineral fibres, the binder solution comprising: a reducing sugar, an acid precursor derivable from an inorganic salt and a source of nitrogen; Collecting the mineral fibres to which the binder solution has been applied to form a batt of mineral fibres; and Curing the batt comprising the mineral fibres and the binder which is in contact with the mineral fibres by passing the batt through a curing oven so as to provide a batt of mineral fibres held together by a substantially water insoluble cured binder.

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.

An environmentally friendly, bio-based binder system that is useful for the formation of fiberglass insulation, the system includes: A) an aqueous curable binder composition, which includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent; and B) a dedust composition, which includes a blown, stripped plant-based oil and optionally at least one emulsifying agent. The bio-based binder system is typically heated to form a cured binder system.

An environmentally friendly, bio-based binder system that is useful for the formation of fiberglass insulation, the system includes: A) an aqueous curable binder composition, which includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent; and B) a dedust composition, which includes a blown, stripped plant-based oil and optionally at least one emulsifying agent. The bio-based binder system is typically heated to form a cured binder system.

The present invention relates to a process for producing insulating products based on mineral fibers, in particular on mineral wool, comprising providing a first binder composition containing (a) from 50% to 85% by weight of water, preferably from 70 to 82% of water (b) from 10% to 45% by weight, preferably 15 to 35% by weight of a saccharide component containing sucrose, (c) from 3% to 15% by weight, preferably from 5 to 12% by weight of one or more ammonium salts or primary amine salts of an acid, preparing a second binder composition comprising the dilution of the first aqueous binder composition with water to a solids content of between 3 and 7% by weight, applying the second binder composition to mineral fibers, forming an assembly of mineral fibers coated with the second binder composition, and heating the assembly of coated mineral fibers so as to form an assembly of mineral fibers bound by an insoluble binder,
said process being characterized in that the first aqueous binder composition has a pH of less than 5.5, in that the ammonium salt or primary amine salt is a salt of strong acid or a salt of an acid having a pKa of less than or equal to 2.2, and in that the first and second binder compositions are devoid of salts of weak acids having at least a pKa of between 2.5 and 6.9.

The present invention relates to a process for producing insulating products based on mineral fibers, in particular on mineral wool, comprising providing a first binder composition containing (a) from 50% to 85% by weight of water, preferably from 70 to 82% of water (b) from 10% to 45% by weight, preferably 15 to 35% by weight of a saccharide component containing sucrose, (c) from 3% to 15% by weight, preferably from 5 to 12% by weight of one or more ammonium salts or primary amine salts of an acid, preparing a second binder composition comprising the dilution of the first aqueous binder composition with water to a solids content of between 3 and 7% by weight, applying the second binder composition to mineral fibers, forming an assembly of mineral fibers coated with the second binder composition, and heating the assembly of coated mineral fibers so as to form an assembly of mineral fibers bound by an insoluble binder,
said process being characterized in that the first aqueous binder composition has a pH of less than 5.5, in that the ammonium salt or primary amine salt is a salt of strong acid or a salt of an acid having a pKa of less than or equal to 2.2, and in that the first and second binder compositions are devoid of salts of weak acids having at least a pKa of between 2.5 and 6.9.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid.