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The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Daniel F Caulfield

John A Underwood

Karl D Sears

Rodney E Jacobson

Freya Tan

John H Klungness

Marguerite S Sykes

Irving B Sachs

Richard W Shilts

Reinforced composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material melting above 180&deg; C. and the cellulosic pulp fibers have an alpha-cellulose purity greater than 80% by weight. Methods of making and using the reinforced composites.

Methods of making composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers

Composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers and methods of making and using the same

The present invention relates to a method for loading a chemical compound within the fibers of a fibrous material and to the fibrous materials produced by the method. In the method, a fibrous cellulose material is provided which consists of a plurality of elongated fibers having a fiber wall surrounding a hollow interior. The fibrous material has a moisture content such that the level of water ranges from 40-95% of the weight of the fibrous material and the water is positioned substantially within the hollow interior of the fibers and within the fiber walls of the fibers. A chemical is added to the fibrous material in a manner such that the chemical is disposed in the water present in the fibrous material. The fibrous material is then contacted with a gas which is reactive with the chemical to form a water insoluble chemical compound. The method provides a fibrous material having a chemical compound loaded within the hollow interiors and within the fiber walls of the plurality of fibers.

Method for fiber loading a chemical compound

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Madison, WI, United States of America

Daniel F Caulfield