Coating compositions, coated glass fibers and composites reinforced with the glass fibers

Abstract

Sizing/finishing composition comprising poly(hydroxy amino ether), and a solubilizing/emulsifying agent present in an amount sufficient to solubilize or emulsify the polymer in water.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A coating composition comprising poly(hydroxy amino ether) and a solubilizing/emulsifying agent present in an amount sufficient to solubilize or emulsify the polymer in water.  
     
     
         2 . The coating composition of  claim 1  wherein the poly(hydroxy amino ether) has repeating units represented by the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein A is a diamino moiety or a combination of different amine moieties; B is a divalent organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene; R is hydrogen or alkyl; and m is an integer from 5 to 1000.  
     
     
         3 . The coating composition of  claim 1  wherein the solubilizing/emulsifying agent is a mineral acid.  
     
     
         4 . The coating composition of  claim 3  wherein the mineral acid is phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid.  
     
     
         5 . The coating composition of  claim 1  wherein the solubilizing/emulsifying agent is carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         6 . The coating composition of  claim 5  wherein the carboxylic acid is acetic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, or lactic acid.  
     
     
         7 . The coating composition of  claim 1  wherein the solubilizing/emulsifying agent is present in an amount of from about 20 to about 60 of the coating composition on a total solids basis.  
     
     
         8 . The coating composition of  claim 1  further comprising a coupling agent, lubricating agent and/or antifoam.  
     
     
         9 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the coupling agent is an organo silane coupling agent, transition metal coupling agent, phosphonate coupling agent, aluminum coupling agent, titanate coupling agent, zirconate coupling agent, chromium complexes coupling agent, amino-containing Werner coupling agent or titanate coupling agent or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the coupling agent is present in an amount of from about 0 to about 20 weight percent of the coating composition on a total solids basis.  
     
     
         11 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the lubricating agent is a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide or a polyetyleneimine or polyamide salt.  
     
     
         12 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the lubricating agent is present in an amount of from about 0 to about 20 weight percent of the coating composition on a total solids basis.  
     
     
         13 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the antifoam agent is polydimethysiloxane.  
     
     
         14 . The coating composition of  claim 8  wherein the antifoam agent is present in an amount of from about 0 to about 10 weight percent of the coating composition on a total solids basis.  
     
     
         15 . Glass fibers coated with a coating composition comprising poly(hydroxy amino ether) and a solubilizing/emulsifying agent present in an amount sufficient to emulsify or solubilize the polymer in water.  
     
     
         16 . Composites reinforced with the glass fibers of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         17 . Carbon fibers coated with a coating composition comprising poly(hydroxy amino ether) and a solubilizing/emulsifying agent present in an amount sufficient to emulsify or solubilize the polymer in water.  
     
     
         18 . Composites reinforced with the carbon fibers of  claim 17.