Water repellant fiberglass binder comprising a fluorinated polymer

Abstract

Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which comprises a polycarboxy polymer, a polyol and a fluorinated polymer. The binder also preferably includes a catalyst which is an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a fiberglass product which exhibits minimal water absorption.

1 . A fiberglass binder, comprising an aqueous solution of a polycarboxy polymer, a polyol and a fluorinated polymer.  
   
   
       2 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is less than 5000.  
   
   
       3 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is less than 3000.  
   
   
       4 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the binder further comprises a catalyst which comprises an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid.  
   
   
       5 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 4 , wherein the catalyst is sodium hydophosphite, sodium phosphite, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the polyol is triethanolamine.  
   
   
       7 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the polycarboxy polymer comprises homopolymers and/or copolymers of polyacrylic acid.  
   
   
       8 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of polycarboxy polymer and polyol in the binder is such that the ratio of carboxy group equivalents to hydroxyl group equivalents is in the range of from about 1/0.65 to 1/0.75.  
   
   
       9 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorinated polymer is a fluorinated acrylate copolymer.  
   
   
       10 . A fiberglass binder, comprising an aqueous solution of a homopolymer and/or copolymer of polyacrylic acid, where the polyacrylic acid polymer has a molecular weight of 5000 or less, triethanolamine and a fluorinated polymer.  
   
   
       11 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 10 , wherein the binder further contains a catalyst which comprises an alkali metal salt of a phosphorus-containing organic acid.  
   
   
       12 . The fiberglass binder of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of polyacrylic acid polymer and triethanolamine in the binder is such that the ratio of carboxy group equivalents to hydroxyl group equivalents is in the range of from about 1/0.65 to 1/0.75.  
   
   
       13 . A fiberglass product comprising a mat of glass fibers containing the binder of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . The fiberglass product of  claim 13 , wherein the product is building insulation.  
   
   
       15 . The fiberglass product of  claim 13 , wherein the product is reinforcing mat for roofing or flooring.  
   
   
       16 . The fiberglass product of  claim 13 , wherein the product is a microglass-based substrate useful for printed circuit boards or battery separators, filter stock, tape stock or reinforcement scrim.  
   
   
       17 . The fiberglass product of  claim 13 , wherein the product is filter stock.  
   
   
       18 . A fiberglass product prepared by using a binder comprised of a polycarboxy polymer and a polyol, and spraying onto the product a fluorinated polymer.  
   
   
       19 . The fiberglass product of  claim 18 , wherein the product is thermal or sound insulation, or filtration media for air or liquids.