IP Library Granted Patent US 9,752,015
Granted Patent B2
US 9,752,015 · App. 14/889,094 · Granted Sep 5, 2017

Filled polymeric composites including short length fibers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,752,015
App. No.
14/889,094
Granted
Sep 5, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Polymeric composites and methods for preparing the composites are described herein. The polymeric composites can comprise a polymer, an inorganic filler, and a plurality of short length fibers. The polymer in the composites can include homopolymers and copolymers and can also include plastics, resins, elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, and hot melts. The inorganic filler can be fly ash. The short length fibers can have an average length of 650 μm or less. Methods for making the polymeric composites are also described.

Claims (54)

1. A composite comprising:

(a) a polymer;

(b) from 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler comprising fly ash; and

(c) a plurality of short length fibers having an average length of 650 μm or less.

2. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the short length fibers have an average aspect ratio of length to diameter of 5:1 to 250:1.

3. A composite comprising:

(a) a polymer;

(b) from 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler; and

(c) a plurality of short length fibers having an average aspect ratio of length to diameter of 8:1 to 250:1, wherein the short length fibers are selected from the group consisting of mineral wool, cellulose, wood fiber, saw dust, wood shavings, cotton, lint, and combinations thereof.

4. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the short length fibers are selected from the group consisting of mineral wool, cellulose, wood fiber, saw dust, wood shavings, cotton, lint, and combinations thereof.

5. The composite of claim 3 , wherein the short length fibers have an average length of from 50 μm to 650 μm.

6. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the short length fibers have an average length of from 100 μm to 250 μm.

7. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the short length fibers have an average diameter of from 1 to 20 μm.

8. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the short length fibers are present in an amount from 0.5% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

9. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic filler is present in an amount from 50% to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

10. The composite of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of glass fibers having a minimum length of 1 mm.

11. The composite of claim 10 , wherein the glass fiber is present in an amount from 0.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

12. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, ethylene copolymers, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyvinyl acetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides, polyisobutylenes, polyacetals, chlorinated and fluorinated polymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorosilicones, polycarbonates, epoxies, phenolics, polyesters, acrylic polymers, acrylate polymers, polyurethanes, alkyds, silicones, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, nitrile rubbers, diallyl phthalates, melamines, polybutadienes, aramids, cellulosics, cellulose acetobutyrates, ionomers, parylenes, polyaryl ethers, polyaryl sulfones, polyarylene sulfides, polyethersulfones, polyallomers, polyimides, polyamideimides, polymethylpentenes, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, polysulfones, polyetherketones, polyetherimides, polyaryleneketones, polychloroprenes, and blends thereof.

13. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polyurethane formed by the reaction of at least one isocyanate selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates and mixtures thereof, and at least one polyol.

14. The composite of claim 1 , wherein the composite has a density of 20 lb/ft 3 to 60 lb/ft 3 .

15. A building material comprising the composite of claim 1 .

16. A method of preparing a polyurethane composite, comprising:

(a) mixing

(1) 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler based on the total weight of the composite;

(2) at least one isocyanate selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and combinations thereof;

(3) at least one polyol;

(4) a plurality of short length fibers having a length of 650 μm or less; and

(5) a catalyst; and

(b) allowing the at least one isocyanate and the at least one polyol to react in the presence of the inorganic filler, and the plurality of short length fibers to form the polyurethane composite.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the short length fibers are selected from the group consisting of mineral wool, cellulose, wood fiber, saw dust, wood shavings, cotton, lint, and combinations thereof.

18. The composite of claim 3 , wherein the inorganic filler comprises fly ash.

19. A composite comprising:

(a) a polymer;

(b) from 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler;

(c) a plurality of short length fibers having an average length of 650 μm or less; and

(d) a plurality of glass fibers having a minimum length of 1 mm.

20. The composite of claim 19 , wherein the glass fibers are present in an amount from 0.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

21. A composite comprising:

(a) a polymer;

(b) from 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler;

(c) a plurality of short length fibers having an average length of 650 μm or less; and

(d) a plurality of glass fibers, wherein the glass fibers are present in an amount from 0.5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

22. A composite comprising:

(a) a polymer;

(b) from 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler;

(c) a plurality of short length fibers having an average length of 650 μm or less;

wherein the short length fibers are selected from the group consisting of mineral wool, cellulose, wood fiber, saw dust, wood shavings, cotton, lint, and combinations thereof.

23. A method of preparing a polyurethane composite, comprising:

(a) mixing

(1) 25% to 90% by weight of an inorganic filler based on the total weight of the composite;

(2) at least one isocyanate selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and combinations thereof;

(3) at least one polyol; and

(4) a plurality of short length fibers having a length of 650 μm or less, wherein the short length fibers are selected from the group consisting of mineral wool, cellulose, wood fiber, saw dust, wood shavings, cotton, lint, and combinations thereof; and

(b) allowing the at least one isocyanate and the at least one polyol to react in the presence of the inorganic filler, and the plurality of short length fibers to form the polyurethane composite.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME NO. 67963/0364 Recorded Sep 16, 2025
From: MIZUHO BANK, LTD., AS AGENT
To: EM RESOURCES LLC
Reel/Frame 072872/0638 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME NO. 70696/0397 Recorded Sep 15, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: EM RESOURCES LLC
Reel/Frame 072910/0155 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2025
From: EM RESOURCES LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070696/0397 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 059002/0270 Recorded Feb 12, 2025
From: UMB BANK, N.A.
To: EM RESOURCES LLC (F/K/A BORAL RESOURCES LLC)
Reel/Frame 070191/0325 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2024
From: EM RESOURCES LLC
To: MIZUHO BANK, LTD.
Reel/Frame 067963/0364 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2024
From: MUFG BANK, LTD
To: EM RESOURCES LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS BORAL RESOURCES LLC)
Reel/Frame 067799/0395 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2022
From: BORAL RESOURCES LLC
To: EM RESOURCES LLC
Reel/Frame 059510/0851 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: BORAL RESOURCES LLC
To: UMB BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059002/0270 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: BORAL RESOURCES LLC
To: MUFG BANK, LTD.
Reel/Frame 059003/0211 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2022
From: BORAL IP HOLDINGS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED
To: BORAL INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 058614/0909 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2022
From: BORAL INDUSTRIES INC.
To: BORAL RESOURCES LLC
Reel/Frame 058614/0959 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2015
From: KUMAR, AMITABHA; CROCCO, GUY; HILL, RUSSELL L.; AI, LI; MYERS, JACOB
To: BORAL IP HOLDINGS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 036962/0159 →