Anti-static agent for glass fiber insulation

Abstract

A composition includes glass fibers and a polyether antistatic agent. The polyether antistatic agent has a molecular weight of less than about 2000, or less than about 1000. Exemplary polyether antistatic agents include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, a glycerol polyether, and combinations thereof. The polyether antistatic agent has a viscosity of less than about 600 cSt at 75° F., or less than about 200 cSt at 75° F. The composition may further include a solvent for the polyether antistatic agent; the solvent may include one or more organic soluble electrolytes, water or a combination thereof. Exemplary organic soluble electrolytes include calcium acetate, lithium acetate, an amine acetate, sodium benzoate, and combinations thereof. The composition may be used in various insulation applications, including in an insulation batt, insulation roll, insulation board, insulation pipe or unbonded glass fiber insulation. Methods for making glass fibers for use in insulation and methods for installing unbonded glass fiber insulation are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fiber composition comprising:
 bound or unbound glass fibers;   a polyether antistatic agent; and   a dedusting agent.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and glycerol polyethers. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent has a molecular weight of less than 2000 g/mol. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent has a molecular weight of less than 1000 g/mol. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent has a viscosity of less than 600 cSt at 75° F. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent has a viscosity of less than 200 cSt at 75° F. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises a mineral oil. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises less than 0.5 wt. % of the weight of the fiber composition. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises less than 0.3 wt. % of the weight of the fiber composition. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber composition comprises bound glass fibers finished into a fiberglass batt or fiberglass roll. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber composition comprises unbound glass fibers used as blown insulation. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a fiber composition, the method comprising:
 forming glass filaments;   cutting the glass filaments into glass fibers; and   finishing the glass fibers into the fiber composition,   wherein a polyether antistatic agent and a dedusting agent are applied to the glass filaments or the glass fibers during the making of the fiber composition.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent comprises a neat liquid of a polyether compound selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and glycerol polyethers. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent comprises a solution comprising a polyether compound in a solvent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the solvent is water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent solution further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting sodium benzoate, calcium acetate, lithium acetate, and an amine acetate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent is applied to the glass filaments before they are cut into the glass fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polyether antistatic agent is applied to the glass fibers before they are finished into the fiber composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises a mineral oil. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises less than 0.5 wt. % of the weight of the fiber composition. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the dedusting agent comprises less than 0.3 wt. % of the weight of the fiber composition. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fiber composition is a fiberglass insulation batt or fiberglass insulation roll. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fiber composition is blown fiberglass