Triglyceride compositions useful for preparing composite panels and applications thereof

Abstract

Composite panels may be prepared using a moisture resistance additive having a formulation that includes a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35. The additive may be used in the form of a water emulsion. The water emulsion may be prepared by dispersing the components of the additive formulation under conditions sufficient to at least partially saponify the triglyceride. The moisture resistance additive can impart resistance to moisture absorption and thickness swelling to composite panels prepared therewith.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite panel prepared using a moisture resistance additive useful for preparing composite panels, the composite panel comprising:
 gypsum, cellulose, or combinations thereof; and   the moisture resistance additive, wherein the moisture resistance additive is provided as an emulsion comprising:
 a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35; 
 at least one non-ionic emulsifier comprising a fatty acid ester of a polyalcohol; and 
 water, wherein the moisture resistance additive is free of hydrocarbon wax. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composite panel of  claim 1  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier comprises sorbitan esters, or combinations of sorbitan esters, which exhibit a Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance of greater than 10. 
     
     
         3 . The composite panel of  claim 2  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is selected from sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan isostearate, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan oleate, sorbitan aplmitat, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan monoisostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylate, sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate, sorbitan monopalmitate ethoxylate, sorbitan monostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetrastearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tristearate ethoxylate, sorbitan hexastearate ethoxylate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composite panel of  claim 2  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is a monostearate emulsifier selected from polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monostearate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composite panel of  claim 1  wherein the moisture resistance additive further comprises a compound or compounds selected from the group consisting of an amine, an inorganic base, and mixtures thereof, and at least partially saponify the triglyceride, wherein the amine, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 3 weight percent of the emulsion, and wherein the inorganic base, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 6 weight percent of the emulsion, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A method for preparing composite panels, comprising:
 introducing a moisture resistance additive into a wet panel production process, the moisture resistance additive is provided as an emulsion comprising:
 a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35; 
 at least one non-ionic emulsifier comprising a fatty acid ester of a polyalcohol; and 
 water, wherein the moisture resistance additive is free of hydrocarbon wax. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier comprises sorbitan esters, or combinations of sorbitan esters, which exhibit a Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance of greater than 10. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is selected from sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan isostearate, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan oleate, sorbitan aplmitat, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan monoisostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylate, sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate, sorbitan monopalmitate ethoxylate, sorbitan monostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetrastearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tristearate ethoxylate, sorbitan hexastearate ethoxylate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is a monostearate emulsifier selected from polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monostearate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the moisture resistance additive further comprises a compound or compounds selected from the group consisting of an amine, an inorganic base, and mixtures thereof, and at least partially saponify the triglyceride, wherein the amine, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 3 weight percent of the emulsion, and wherein the inorganic base, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 6 weight percent of the emulsion, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the moisture resistance additive is introduced into the composite panel by applying the moisture resistance additive to a cellulose component used to make the composite panel. 
     
     
         12 . A moisture resistance additive useful for preparing composite panels comprising:
 a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35; and   at least one non-ionic emulsifier comprising a fatty acid ester of a polyalcohol, wherein the moisture resistance additive is free of hydrocarbon wax.   
     
     
         13 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 12  wherein the moisture-resistance additive is in the form of an emulsion. 
     
     
         14 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 12  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier comprises sorbitan esters, or combinations of sorbitan esters, which exhibit a Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance of greater than 10. 
     
     
         15 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 13  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is selected from sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan isostearate, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan oleate, sorbitan aplmitat, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan monoisostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylate, sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate, sorbitan monopalmitate ethoxylate, sorbitan monostearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate, sorbitan tetrastearate ethoxylate, sorbitan tristearate ethoxylate, sorbitan hexastearate ethoxylate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 13  wherein the non-ionic emulsifier is a monostearate emulsifier selected from polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monostearate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 12  wherein the moisture resistance additive further comprises a compound or compounds selected from the group consisting of an amine, an inorganic base, and mixtures thereof, and at least partially saponify the triglyceride, wherein the amine, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 3 weight percent of the emulsion, and wherein the inorganic base, when present, comprises from 0.5 to 6 weight percent of the emulsion, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The moisture resistance additive of  claim 13  wherein the emulsion is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially saponify the triglyceride.