| abstract |
Provided is a carbonaceous binder composition which comprises a polymerized and dehydrated carbohydrate, a monomer or polymer of resorcinol, and water. It is important that the carbohydrate is a polymer when combined with the remaining components of the composition. Polymerization of the carbohydrate prior to being combined with the other components of the composition has been found to result in an increased carbon yield upon pyrolysis of the binder. The binder composition also has an effective shelf life of three months or longer and gives off no objectionable smell either before or after being pyrolyzed. More importantly, the binder is also free of any skin or respiratory irritants, and is in effect non-carcinogenic. |