| abstract |
The present invention relates to a new formaldehyde- free binder composition, to the related method of its use for making fibrous products (including glass fiber products and especially fiberglass insulation), and to the fiber products themselves. The present invention specifically relates to an aqueous binder composition containing a mofified copolymer of maleic anhydride and a vinyl aromatic compound such as styrene. The copolymer is modified by reaction with a primary alkanolamine (preferably mono ethanol amine (MEA) ). The modified copolymer is self-curing and cures as a consequence of cross-linking, esterification reactions between pendant carboxyls and hydroxyl groups on the solubilized (hydrolyzed) modified copolymer chains. Additional polyol (s), including diethanolamine and/or triethanolamine, can be added to the binder to increase either, or both the pH of the aqueous binder composition and the crosslink density of the cured binder. |