Filled polymeric composites including short length fibers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.