Method for treating discontinuous cellulose fibers characterized by specific polymer to plasticizer and polymer-plasticizer to fiber ratios, fibers thus treated and composites made from the treated fibers

Abstract

Discontinuous cellulose fibers are treated to improve their dispersability into a matrix comprising plasticized vinyl chloride polymer. The treatment includes contacting the fibers with a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl chloride polymer and a plasticizer so as to coat the fibers, and drying the fibers. The non-aqueous portion of the mixture is usually present in an amount of at least 25 parts per 100 parts of fibers by weight, and the weight ratio of plasticizer to vinyl chloride polymer in the mixture is from 2:1 to 25:1. The discontinuous fibers thus treated can be dispersed into a matrix comprising plasticized vinyl chloride polymer with a minimum of mixing, and the improved composites thus produced contain a minimum of clumps of undispersed fibers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.