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 1×10.sup.6 Daltons to 1×10.sup.7 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 1×10.sup.6 Daltons to 1×10.sup.7 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

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 1×10.sup.6 Daltons to 1×10.sup.7 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 1×10.sup.6 Daltons to 1×10.sup.7 Daltons, and a polycarboxylic acid.

The present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric, a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric and a wipe. The biodegradable non-woven fabric comprises biodegradable fibers. At least a part of the biodegradable fibers is entangled with each other, such that individual biodegradable fibers are in contact with each other at entangling points. At least a part of the entangling points is provided with a biodegradable binder.

The present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric, a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric and a wipe. The biodegradable non-woven fabric comprises biodegradable fibers. At least a part of the biodegradable fibers is entangled with each other, such that individual biodegradable fibers are in contact with each other at entangling points. At least a part of the entangling points is provided with a biodegradable binder.

Binder compositions are described that include at least one formaldehyde-containing compound, a cyclic urea-dialdehyde compound, and a polyamine compound. The polyamine compound may be selected from melamine and dicyandiamide. The weight ratio of the at least one formaldehyde-containing compound to the combined weight of the cyclic urea-dialdehyde compound and the polyamine compound may be greater than or about 1:1. As described are binder-containing fiberglass products that include glass fibers and a binder. The binder may include a formaldehyde polymer characterized by crosslinking with a cyclic urea-dialdehyde and a polyamine. The binder-containing fiberglass products have reduced formaldehyde emissions.

Binder compositions are described that include at least one formaldehyde-containing compound, a cyclic urea-dialdehyde compound, and a polyamine compound. The polyamine compound may be selected from melamine and dicyandiamide. The weight ratio of the at least one formaldehyde-containing compound to the combined weight of the cyclic urea-dialdehyde compound and the polyamine compound may be greater than or about 1:1. As described are binder-containing fiberglass products that include glass fibers and a binder. The binder may include a formaldehyde polymer characterized by crosslinking with a cyclic urea-dialdehyde and a polyamine. The binder-containing fiberglass products have reduced formaldehyde emissions.

Disclosed is a heat insulator comprising a substrate comprising of a bulk of silica-based inorganic fiber containing a hydroxyl group; a metallic or ceramic infrared mediator held on at least a part of one surface of the substrate; and a silica cured product holding the infrared mediator on/in the substrate. As the infrared mediator, a metal foil or a ceramic particle may be used. This heat insulator exhibits excellent heat insulating performance in a high temperature range of 600° C. or more, and can be molded into a three-dimensional shape which can be directly mounted to a structure.

A non-woven fibrous mat is provided that includes a mixture of a thermoset resin and a thermoplastic resin. It has been found that the physical properties (e.g., flexibility, tensile strength) of a non-woven mat may be improved by formulating a binder composition comprising variable ratios of the thermoset material and the thermoplastic material. In this way, a bonded nonwoven mat may be achieved having a desirable combination of strength and flexibility, while maintaining good heat and water resistance.

A non-woven fibrous mat is provided that includes a mixture of a thermoset resin and a thermoplastic resin. It has been found that the physical properties (e.g., flexibility, tensile strength) of a non-woven mat may be improved by formulating a binder composition comprising variable ratios of the thermoset material and the thermoplastic material. In this way, a bonded nonwoven mat may be achieved having a desirable combination of strength and flexibility, while maintaining good heat and water resistance.

The present invention relates to an aqueous binder for a heat-insulating and sound-absorbing inorganic fiber material, the aqueous binder comprising a polymer having a carboxy group and a crosslinking agent for the polymer, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises an alkanol monoamine and a polyamine having an imino group, the polyamine has an amine value of 1200 to 1650 mg KOH/g, and a ratio of the total number of moles of amino groups and imino groups in the crosslinking agent with respect to the total number of moles of hydroxyl groups, amino groups, and imino groups in the crosslinking agent is 0.6 or less.