A method for preparing a roofing membrane in the form of a roll, comprising the steps of: providing a polymeric membrane; providing a fabric having a coating disposed thereon; attaching the polymeric membrane to the fabric to form a composite; and rolling the composite. Wherein the coating includes expandable graphite dispersed within a binder.

This invention provides a water-based elastomeric composition free from aromatics or similar solvents comprising: an elastomer, a thickener, titanium dioxide, an antioxidant, a fungicide, water and optionally a coloring agent. The composition further comprises a corrosion inhibitor and may be impregnated to a textile material, preferably a fiber glass textile.

Curable prepregs possessing enhanced ability for the removal of gases from within prepregs and between prepreg plies in a prepreg layup prior to and/or during consolidation and curing. Each curable prepreg is a resin-impregnated, woven fabric that has been subjected to a treatment to create an array of openings in at least one major surface. Furthermore, the location of the openings is specific to the weave pattern of the fabric.

A gypsum product with a fortified glass fiber mat is provided in which the glass fiber mat is strengthened by crystallization of salt crystals on the glass fiber mat prior to the glass fiber mat use in the gypsum product. Methods for making a glass fiber mat saturated with salt crystals and gypsum products with the glass fiber mats are provided as well.

A coated fabric comprising a fabric substrate and a coating on said substrate, the coating comprising a binder and expandable graphite dispersed throughout the binder.

A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an addition product of an amine and a reactant to form an amino-amide intermediate. To the amino-amide is added an aldehyde or ketone to form the curable binder composition. The composition when applied to fiberglass is cured to form a water-insoluble binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment the fiberglass is in the form of building insulation. In other embodiments the product is a microglass-based substrate for use in a printed circuit board, battery separator, filter stock, or reinforcement scrim.

A glass mat includes an assembly of glass fibers, a binder composition and an asphaltic coating. The binder composition includes an organic resin and an adhesion promoter. The glass mat has an at least 2% increase in tear strength as measured using the methods specified in ASTM D3462, compared to an asphaltic coated glass mat having a binder composition without the adhesion promoter. Further provided is an asphalt roofing product including the glass mat and a method of increasing tear strength in an asphalt roofing product.

Glass-fiber composites are described that include a substrate containing glass fibers and particles in contact with the glass fiber substrate. The particles may include an alkali-metal containing compound. In addition, batteries are described with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The cathode may include alkali-metal containing nanoparticles in contact with glass fibers. Also describe are methods of making a glass-fiber composite. The methods may include the steps of forming a wet laid non-woven glass fiber substrate, and contacting alkali-metal containing particles on the substrate.

There is described a process for depositing carbon on a surface, comprising, while contacting a mixture of CO.sub.2 and Br.sub.2 with a polar substrate presenting apposed surfaces, exposing a sufficient area of said mixture in the region of said apposed surfaces to light of sufficient intensity and frequency to result in deposition of carbon on at least some of said apposed surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

A curable formaldehyde-free binding composition for use with fiberglass is provided. Such curable composition comprises an aldehyde or ketone and an amine salt of an inorganic acid. The composition when applied to fiberglass is cured to form a water-insoluble binder which exhibits good adhesion to glass. In a preferred embodiment the composition when applied to fiberglass provides a sufficient blackness required in facer products.