Preservative composition and method

Abstract

Aqueous silane formulations for treatment of an article or material such as wood, concrete, drywall, cotton fabric or wool fabric, and methods of treating the article or material with the formulation. The aqueous medium comprises an alkoxysilane or a combination of a halosilane a high concentration of a salt component. Optionally, the silane formulation may include a boron-containing component. Integrated processes for producing hydrophobic paper, gypsum, drywall, and concrete by pre-mixing components with alkoxysilane are also disclosed. Further disclosed are combinations of a silane component and a salt component, e.g., in a premixture or in a kit, co-pack or co-shipment. Novel treated products, including recreational equipment, are also disclosed.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A drywall product comprising a panel comprising cured gypsum and a hydrophobic paper backing sheet or a hydrophobic facing sheet on a surface of said panel, said hydrophobic paper sheet comprising a silane residue distributed therein. 
     
     
         20 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A process for preparing a drywall product that is resistant to moisture, mold and mildew comprising applying a hydrophobic paper sheet to a panel comprising gypsum, said hydrophobic paper sheet comprising a silane residue distributed therein. 
     
     
         36 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said hydrophobic paper sheet contains an alkoxysilane or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         37 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said paper sheet comprises a backing sheet or facing sheet for the drywall product. 
     
     
         38 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  comprising applying a hydrophobic facing sheet to one surface of the panel and a hydrophobic backing sheet to the surface of said panel opposite the surface to which said backing sheet is applied. 
     
     
         39 . A process as set forth in  claim 38  wherein each of said hydrophobic facing sheet and hydrophobic backing sheet has been prepared by a process comprising contacting a paper sheet with a silane formulations comprising an aqueous medium containing an alkoxysilane. 
     
     
         40 . A process as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said alkoxysilane corresponds to the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and alkoxy, each of R 10 , R 11  and R 12  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl and hydrogen, and at least one of R 10 , R 11 , R 12 , and X 3  is alkoxy. 
       
     
     
         41 . A process for preparing a gypsum product having hydrophobic properties, the process comprising:
 forming a curable wet gypsum mix into a desired configuration, said wet mix comprising gypsum and an aqueous medium comprising an alkoxysilane;   curing and drying the wet gypsum mix in the presence of a catalyst for the reaction of said alkoxysilane with gypsum to produce a hydrophobic gypsum product.   
     
     
         42 - 280 . (canceled) 
     
     
         281 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said silane residue is substantially uniformly distributed throughout said paper sheet. 
     
     
         282 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said paper sheet comprises cellulosic fibers, and said silane residue is bonded to said fibers predominantly through cellulosic bonds. 
     
     
         283 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said panel itself is not hydrophobic. 
     
     
         284 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said panel is capable of absorbing water except for the barrier effect of said hydrophobic paper sheet. 
     
     
         285 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet contains a carbohydrate additive in a concentration greater than about 2.0 lbs. additive per ton. 
     
     
         286 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet contains a stiffener, other than the residue of an alkoxysilane, in a concentration greater than about 2.0 lbs. stiffener per ton. 
     
     
         287 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet contains a carbohydrate and an oil in a combined concentration greater than about 3.0 lbs. (carbohydrate plus oil) per ton. 
     
     
         288 . A process as set forth in any of  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet contains nutrients for a mycotic organism in a concentration greater than about 3.0 lbs. nutrients per ton. 
     
     
         289 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet is subject to mold or mildew. 
     
     
         290 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet supports mycotic activity. 
     
     
         291 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet supports growth of any microorganism. 
     
     
         292 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein neither said backing sheet nor said facing sheet is thicker than about 0.020″, or thicker than about 0.15″. 
     
     
         293 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said panel is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         294 . A process set forth in  claim 293  wherein each of said surfaces of the panel comprise a residue of an alkoxysilane. 
     
     
         295 . A process as set forth in  claim 293  wherein a residue of an alkoxysilane is distributed throughout said panel. 
     
     
         296 . A process as set forth in  claim 35  where said hydrophobic paper sheet has been prepared by a process comprising
 delivering a pulp comprising a slurry of cellulosic fibers in an aqueous medium comprising an alkoxysilane to a screen for forming a sheet comprising fibers of said pulp; 
 compressing and dewatering said sheet; 
 
       drying said compressed sheet of fibers to produce a sheet of paper that is resistant to water.