Using urea extended phenolic binders with a resin to urea solids ratio below 60/40 can significantly reduce production costs in the manufacture of fiberglass products without adversely affecting product performance or producing formaldehyde or ammonia emissions at unacceptable levels. The phenolic binders are produced by reacting urea with phenolic resins that are prepared in a reaction in which the formaldehyde and phenol are initially present in mole ratios of greater than 3.75:1. In preparing...

A process of removing organic binder material from the surface of randomly oriented glass fibers forming a bulk material, particularly glass fiber insulation material, in which a gaseous mixture containing oxygen and water varpor is passed through the material, from which the air has previously been removed from the interstices thereof, at a temperature sufficient to effect removal of the organic binder from the surfaces of the glass fibers by volatization including vapourization oxidation and g...

A fiberglass footbridge comprising a floor, handrails, and a web between the floor and the handrails, all of fiberglass. A continuous layer of fiberglass filaments that extend parallel with the bridge are formed in the handrails and the corners of the floor. U-shaped supporting members are attached around the web and the floor, and are spaced between the ends of the bridge. A subfloor or torque box is formed between the supporting members below the floor.

A fiberglass mat having high tear resistance which comprises a base or sheet made of chopped glass fibers, bonded together by a bonding agent. Randomly oriented, substantially continuous fiberglass strands may be embedded and bonded in the base, the strands being separated by layers of base material. The mat may also have one or more separate layers of longitudinal substantially continuous fiberglass strands, which may generally either be straight or sinusoidal, bonded into the base material.

The described invention is intended for use primarily in the yacht repair industry and specifically in the repair of fiberglass hulls of yachts. However, its use will not be limited to fiberglass in yachts but fiberglass in general where applicable. The invention removes gelcoat (coating over fiberglass) and/or consecutive layers of fiberglass laminate. The invention is specifically designed to remove osmotically blistered gelcoat and/or fiberglass laminate in an efficient and in an environmenta...

A fiberglass shingle produced from a mat having high tear resistance which comprises a base or sheet made of chopped glass fibers, bonded together by a bonding agent. Randomly oriented, substantially continuous fiberglass strands may be embedded and bonded in the base, the strands being separated by layers of base material. The mat may also have one or more separate layers of longitudinal, substantially continuous, fiberglass strands, which may generally either be straight or sinusoidal, bonded ...

A combination step and extension ladder manufactured of composite material such as fiberglass is disclosed. The inner and outer side rails are molded fiberglass so that the fibers are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective side rail. Hinges are provided on each of the inner side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. The inner side rails are...

An adapter for connecting tool heads to fiberglass tool handles and for making other fiberglass attachments. An adapter which is preferably formed in two sections is mounted around and over the end of the tool handle. Interlocking means or frictional engagement are provided to hold the adapter in place. The tool head is provided with an interior opening which is formed complementarily to the tapered exterior of the adapter. The head is driven into place around the adapter by striking the end of ...

An adapter for connecting tool heads to fiberglass tool handles and for making other fiberglass attachments. An adapter which is preferably formed in two sections is mounted around and over the end of the tool handle. Interlocking means or frictional engagement are provided to hold the adapter in place. The upper portions of the exterior walls of the adapter sections are tapered complementarily to the inwardly tapered upper section of a conventional double tapered tool head opening and are adapt...

Provided is a novel fiberglass binder comprising a polycarboxy polymer and a polyol. The amount of polycarboxy polymer and polyol contained in the binder is such that the ratio of equivalents of hydroxyl groups to carboxy groups is preferably in the range from about 0.6/1 to 0.8/1. It is further preferred that the molecular weight of the polycarboxy polymer is less than 10,000, and more preferably less than 5000.