Abstract:
GLASS FIBER THERMAL OR ACOUSTICAL INSULATING MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF. GLASS FIBERS ARE DEPOSITED WITH A BINDER ON A CONVEYOR AND CONVEYED THROUGH AN OVEN WHERE THE BINDER IS CURED. THE MASS OF FIBERS AND BINDER IS COMPRESSED, IF REQUIRED, TO PROVIDE A DESIRED APPARENT DENSITY. THE BINDER IS A PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE CONDENSATE PRODUCED USING BARIUM HYDROXIDE AS A CONDENSING AGENT; AFTER CONDENSATION, THE BARIUM HYDROXIDE IS CONVERTED TO BARIUM SULFATE PARTICLES IN THE SIZE RANGE OF FROM 1 MILLIMICRON TO 1 MICRON. THE BARIUM SULFATE PARTICLES REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE RESIN, BECOME A PART OF THE BINDER COMPOSITION, AND ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE BINDER IN THE FINAL PRODUCT. THEIR PRESENCE FACILITATES BINDER FLOW IN THE GLASS FIBER PROCESS AND IMPROVES THE STRENGTH OF THE FINAL PRODUCT.