| abstract |
PCT No. PCT/GB84/00053 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 16, 1984 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 16, 1984 PCT Filed Feb. 22, 1984 PCT Pub. No. WO84/03275 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 30, 1984.Cellulose fibres such as wood pulp are made more suitable for reinforcement of cement products by a treatment which reduces their swelling in aqueous and alkaline mediums. The fibres are dispersed in water, allowed to swell, and impregnated with a solution of a titanium and/or zirconium chelate compound. After drying, the fibres are heated to react the chelate compound(s) with the hydroxyl groups on the cellulose fibres, preferably to produce cross-linking between hydroxyl group residues. The treated fibres are more stable in cement media, and, despite their increased hydrophobicity, are dispersible in cement slurries to give good web formation in the manufacture of cement products such as sheet. They impart improved flexural strength and modulus to cement products compared with untreated cellulose reinforcing fibres. |