Sheet of vegetable wool fiber impregnated with an expoxidized vegetable oil

Abstract

A sheet of vegetable wool fiber is impregnated with a reactive mix made up of a partially or completely epoxidized vegetable oil and a hardener. The sheet can also be included in a panel. The method for manufacturing the sheet includes mixing an epoxidized vegetable oil and a hardener at a temperature higher than each one of the melting temperatures thereof and lower than each one of the breakdown temperatures thereof; and depositing the obtained mix on an assembly of vegetable wool fibers at a temperature higher than each one of the melting temperatures thereof and lower than each one of the breakdown temperatures thereof.

1 . A sheet, comprising:
 vegetable wool fibers; and   a binder comprised of at least partially epoxidized vegetable oil and a hardener.   
     
     
         2 . Sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein said binder comprises less than 20% mass percentage. 
     
     
         3 . Sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein the epoxidized vegetable oil is comprised of an oil having unsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said oil is selected from a group consisting of: linseed, sunflower, soya bean, olive, tung wood, cotton, colza, ricin, cashew nuts, peanuts, and grape seeds. 
     
     
         4 . Sheet according to  claim 3 , wherein said epoxidized oil is comprised of linseed oil, said linseed oil having 2 to 6 epoxy groups. 
     
     
         5 . Sheet according to  claim 1 , wherein said hardener is comprised of at least one of group consisting of: a polyamine and a diacid anhydride. 
     
     
         6 . Sheet according to  claim 5 , wherein said polyamine has a bio-based origin, and wherein said diacid anhydride has a bio-based origin. 
     
     
         7 . Sheet according to  claim 1 , further comprising panel elements so as to form an insulation panel. 
     
     
         8 . Method for manufacturing a sheet according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
 mixing an epoxidized vegetable oil and a hardener at a temperature higher than respective melting temperatures thereof and lower than respective breakdown temperatures thereof, forming a mixture;   depositing said mixture on an aggregate of vegetable wool fibers at a temperature higher than respective melting temperatures thereof and lower than respective breakdown temperatures thereof, forming a sheet;   pressing said sheet by at least one of group consisting of a rolling machine and a molding means, said rolling sheet regulating thickness of a fibrous belt, said molding means being formed by a set of mold forms; and   exposing said sheet to a thermal treatment so as to crosslink said mixture formed into said sheet.   
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of depositing is comprised of at least one of a group consisting of: pulverization, infusion, dispersion, and projection. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 adding solvent to said mixture prior to the step of depositing, said mixture with solvent being less viscous.   
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein said vegetable wool fibers are deposited on a conveyor belt, wherein speed of movement of said conveyor belt and flow rate of the step of depositing determines an oils/fibers ratio, and wherein the step of depositing said mixture further comprising aspirating said mixture through the fibers, said mixture penetrating and diffusing through the fibers. 
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein said vegetable wool fibers are stirred and dispersed prior to the step of depositing said mixture by at least one of a group consisting of a horizontal rotor and direct pulverization.