A composite structure includes a resin and a plurality of titanium dioxide fibers provided in the resin.

Unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. While more durable than cotton, the synthetic cellulosic fibers used in the blends are still inexpensive and comfortable to the wearer. Thus, the benefits of cotton (affordability and comfort) are still attained while a drawback of cottonlow durabilityis avoided. In one embodiment, the fiber blend includes FR modacrylic fibers and synthetic cellulosic fibers, preferably, but not necessarily non-FR lyocell fibers such as TENCEL and TENCEL A100. Other fibers may be added to the blend, including, but not limited to, additional types of inherently FR fibers, anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, stretch fibers, and/or high tenacity fibers. The fiber blends disclosed herein may be used to form various types of FR fabrics. Desired colors may be imparted in a variety of ways and with a variety of dyes to the fabrics disclosed herein. Fabrics having the fibers blends disclosed herein can be used to construct the entirety of, or various portions of, a variety of protective garments for protecting the wearer against electrical arc flash and flames, including, but not limited to, coveralls, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, vests, and trousers.

In accordance with one aspect, a material for energy management and peak energy reduction in a building structure, comprises an insulative base material, a first phase change material, and a functional polymeric phase change material that dynamically absorbs and releases heat to adjust heat transfer at or within a temperature stabilizing range. The functional polymeric phase change material has at least one phase change temperature in the range between 10 C. and 100 C. and a phase change enthalpy of at least 5 Joules per gram, the functional polymeric phase change material including a plurality of polymer chains that include a backbone chain and a plurality of side chains, wherein a first portion of the plurality of polymer chains are crosslinked to each other, wherein a second portion of the plurality of polymer chains are crosslinked with the first phase change material and a third portion of the plurality of side chains are mechanically entangled with the inorganic insulative base material.

An inorganic fiber containing silica and magnesia as the major fiber components and which further includes an intended iron oxide additive to improve the dimensional stability of the fiber. The inorganic fiber exhibits good thermal insulation performance at 1400 C. and greater, retains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which remains non-durable in physiological fluids. Also provided are thermal insulation product forms comprising a plurality of the inorganic fibers, methods of preparing the inorganic fiber and of thermally insulating articles using thermal insulation prepared from a plurality of the inorganic fibers.

A nonwoven substrate comprising a polyolefin and an engineering thermoplastic polymer. The engineering thermoplastic polymer may be present in the nonwoven substrate at a level of between about 1% and about 20% by weight of the nonwoven substrate. The layer of fibers is free of a compatibilizer.

Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a plurality of fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and an antishrink additive, preferably in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 12% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. The webs may be used as wipes.

A nonwoven substrate comprising a polyolefin and an engineering thermoplastic polymer. The engineering thermoplastic polymer may be present in the nonwoven substrate at a level of between about 1% and about 20% by weight of the nonwoven substrate. The layer of fibers is free of a compatibilizer.

An inorganic fiber containing silica and magnesia as the major fiber components and which further includes an intended iron oxide additive to improve the dimensional stability of the fiber. The inorganic fiber exhibits good thermal insulation performance at 1400 C. and greater, retains mechanical integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and which remains non-durable in physiological fluids. Also provided are thermal insulation product forms comprising a plurality of the inorganic fibers, methods of preparing the inorganic fiber and of thermally insulating articles using thermal insulation prepared from a plurality of the inorganic fibers.

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.