A method for preparing an insulating product based on wool includes an aeration step inside a device, the device including a chamber and at least one structure capable of generating a turbulent gaseous flow, during the aeration step. A stream of carrier gas is introduced into the chamber and a wool in the form of nodules or flakes is subjected to the turbulent flow of this carrier gas with entrainment in one sense in a direction A and in the opposite sense in a direction B that is the opposite to the direction A so that within the chamber there is at least in one plane perpendicular to the direction A in which the wool entrained in the direction A crosses the wool entrained in the direction B.

A method for preparing an insulating product based on wool includes an aeration step inside a device, the device including a chamber and at least one structure capable of generating a turbulent gaseous flow, during the aeration step. A stream of carrier gas is introduced into the chamber and a wool in the form of nodules or flakes is subjected to the turbulent flow of this carrier gas with entrainment in one sense in a direction A and in the opposite sense in a direction B that is the opposite to the direction A so that within the chamber there is at least in one plane perpendicular to the direction A in which the wool entrained in the direction A crosses the wool entrained in the direction B.

A system for forming a facer includes a hydroformer that receives a first fluid and a second fluid. A first fluid line is configured to deliver the first fluid to a first inlet pipe and a second fluid line configured to deliver the second fluid to a second inlet pipe. The first fluid line includes a first fiber source that stores a first type of fibers and a first thick stock pump that pumps the first type of fibers to the first inlet pipe. The second fluid line includes a second fiber source that stores a second type of fibers and a second thick stock pump that pumps the second fluid to the second inlet pipe. The first fluid and second fluid are simultaneously poured or delivered onto a porous belt or surface to form the facer.

A thermal insulation product based on mineral wool, characterized in that the fibers have a micronaire of less than 10 l/min, preferably less than 7 l/min and especially between 3 and 6 l/min, and in that the material has a thermal conductivity of less than 31 mW/m.Math.K, especially less than 30 mW/m.Math.K. The parameters for obtaining this product are in particular the pressure of the burner, the rotation speed of the fiberizing spinner and the daily fiber output per spinner orifice.

A thermal insulation product based on mineral wool, characterized in that the fibers have a micronaire of less than 10 l/min, preferably less than 7 l/min and especially between 3 and 6 l/min, and in that the material has a thermal conductivity of less than 31 mW/m.Math.K, especially less than 30 mW/m.Math.K. The parameters for obtaining this product are in particular the pressure of the burner, the rotation speed of the fiberizing spinner and the daily fiber output per spinner orifice.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin material, by cutting long fiber bundles into a plurality of pieces having a predetermined length, and impregnating the cut fiber bundles with resin, includes a plurality of cutters each having a predetermined length and configured to cut the long fiber bundles, and a conveyance unit provided below the cutters and configured to continuously convey the fiber bundles cut with the cutters. The cutters are arranged along a conveying direction of the conveyance unit, such that respective longitudinal directions of the cutters form different angles with the conveying direction of the conveyance unit, when viewed from above the cutters.

An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced resin material, by cutting long fiber bundles into a plurality of pieces having a predetermined length, and impregnating the cut fiber bundles with resin, includes a plurality of cutters each having a predetermined length and configured to cut the long fiber bundles, and a conveyance unit provided below the cutters and configured to continuously convey the fiber bundles cut with the cutters. The cutters are arranged along a conveying direction of the conveyance unit, such that respective longitudinal directions of the cutters form different angles with the conveying direction of the conveyance unit, when viewed from above the cutters.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of compressing an uncured man-made vitreous fibre web, the web having two opposed major faces. The method comprising the steps: passing the web along a path; and subjecting the web to thickness compression by applying compression to the two major opposed faces of the web. Compression of each of said major faces of the web is applied by passing the path between converging continuous or discontinuous compression surfaces. Further, the respective major face of the web that is being compressed is in contact with one of the converging compression surfaces, and said converging compression surface is inclined towards the path. Additionally, each inclined converging compression surface applies an amount of compression to the major face of the web with which the respective inclined converging surface is in contact, wherein the amount of compression applied to at least one of the two opposing major faces of the web is adjustable.