Patent Description:
Textile fabrics, in particular those which are used as an insert for the manufacture of coated materials, must meet a wide range of requirements. Examples of the use of such inserts are, among other things, textile backings for fitted carpets, textile reinforcements in PVC flooring or roofing sheets.

When used in the manufacture of roofing sheets, the inserts or reinforcing inserts used must have sufficient mechanical stability, such as good perforation strength and good tensile strength, which are brought about, for example, upon further processing, such as bituminization or laying. In addition, a high resistance to thermal stress, for example in the case of bituminizing or against radiant heat, and resistance to flying sparks is required.

When used in the manufacture of coated flooring, for example PVC flooring, additional demands are placed on such inserts. In this field of application, in addition to the mechanical/thermal requirements, the inserts must also avoid the formation of gaseous substances, since otherwise, blistering would be observed during manufacture, for example by the formation of water vapor. Blistering of this kind is highly problematic and leads to losses in yield or to poorer quality.

Additional requirements are placed on such inserts for use in the manufacture of surfaces in the interior and exterior of buildings. In this field of application, in addition to the mechanical/thermal requirements, the inserts must also have decorative properties which remain unchanged or almost unchanged over a long period of time.

In addition to the aforementioned technical requirements, environmental compatibility or new legal regulations are also responsible for the replacement of existing, occasionally properly functioning systems with new, compliant systems. Examples in this regard include new industrial standards, such as DIN EN <NUM>, or legislative changes, such as REACH.

The binding systems used hitherto for consolidating textile surfaces are based on thermoplastic and/or thermoset binder systems. Examples which may be mentioned here are aminoplasts and binders based on acrylates.

<CIT> discloses binder systems based on crosslinked polycarboxylates and starch. <CIT> describes binder systems based on polyacrylates, wherein these are not crosslinked by means of a low molecular weight crosslinker, and starch. Further binder systems based on polyvinyl acetate and starch are known from <CIT>. The binder systems described are already very well suited for the manufacture and consolidation of textile fabrics and have good heat resistance. Other binder systems which include starch(es) are known e.g. from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. In addition, using starch as ingredient for textile sizing is known, e.g. from <CIT>.

For some applications, however, the wet strength and color stability should be improved. Furthermore, a reduction in binder costs is an important goal of binder development. In addition, the ever-increasing demand for binder systems which are predominantly based on renewable raw materials has to be met.

There is thus a considerable need for the provision of novel binder systems for consolidating textile surfaces which are intended to be used as inserts, which on the one hand satisfy the technical requirements and the legal provisions, and on the other hand are economically accessible. In addition, novel binder systems should be able to be used in existing production systems and applied by means of known methods and equipment. The novel binder systems should predominantly be based on renewable raw materials.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide novel binder systems for consolidating textile surfaces, which on the one hand meet the technical requirements and the legal provisions, while on the other hand are economically accessible and additionally have improved color stability over a longer period of time. A further object is to be able to process the binder systems using known and established methods, so that investments can be kept low. A further object is to provide novel binder systems which are predominantly based on renewable raw materials, i.e., a minimum of <NUM>% by weight, preferably a minimum of <NUM>% by weight of the binder system (proportions by weight based on the dry mass of the binder system) should consist of naturally occurring and renewable raw materials.

The subject matter of the present invention is thus a textile fabric as claimed in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the binder used according to the invention comprises:.

wherein the specifications regarding the proportions by weight are based on the dry mass of the binder, i.e., without water, and the sum of the constituents a) to e) is <NUM>% by weight, and its use for consolidating textile fabrics.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for consolidating textile fabrics by means of application of a binder comprises:.

wherein the specifications regarding the proportions by weight are based on the dry mass of the binder, i.e., without water, and the sum of the constituents a) to e) is <NUM>% by weight, onto a textile fabric and subsequent drying and curing of the binder.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the component a) (polyvinyl alcohol polymers) is ≤ <NUM>% by weight, in particular <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the component b) (starch) is ≥ <NUM>% by weight, in particular <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sum of the components a) and b) is at least <NUM>% by weight, in particular at least <NUM>% by weight, more preferably at least <NUM>% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the component c) (crosslinker) is at least <NUM>% by weight.

After drying, the quantity of the binder according to the invention applied to the textile fabric is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight of dry binder, in particular <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight, particularly preferably <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight of dry binder, based on the total weight of the raw textile fabric. For applications in the field of filtration products, the quantity applied after drying is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight.

Insofar as the binder system used according to the invention is to be used as an aqueous dispersion or solution, the viscosity is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s, in particular <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s (determined according to DIN EN ISO <NUM> and at <NUM>).

The binder system used according to the invention can be present as true dispersions, colloidally disperse or molecularly disperse dispersions, but generally as so-called partial dispersions, i.e., aqueous systems, which are partially molecularly disperse and partly colloidally disperse.

The textile fabric consolidated by means of the binder system according to the invention has a significantly higher proportion of natural starch, i.e., unmodified renewable raw materials, compared with consolidated textile fabrics based on modified starches, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the consolidated textile fabric. The textile fabrics consolidated by means of the binder system according to the invention have good wet strength and excellent mechanical strength, but are cheaper to produce. The same applies to dimensional stability upon heating, which is also maintained despite exchanging significant proportions of component a) for components b). Despite the high proportion of component b), the brittleness of textile fabric consolidated by means of the binder system according to the invention is quite low.

Furthermore, the binder system according to the invention is slightly hygroscopic, so that no restrictions can be envisaged on using the consolidated textile fabrics as reinforcing inserts in the manufacture of PVC flooring, for example by blistering.

The aging behavior of the consolidated textile fabrics, which is almost constant, is also surprising.

In addition, it has been found that the binder system according to the invention allows for very good miscibility. The combination according to the invention of polymers based on polyvinyl alcohol, and starch, but in particular of natural starch(es) or mixtures of starches which predominantly, i.e., a minimum of <NUM>% by weight, consist of of natural starch(es), results in binder systems which have a high homogeneity. In particular, the aggregation of binder components which frequently occurs in binder mixtures is avoided. This high homogeneity results in a good distribution of the binder system on and in the textile fabric during the application of the binder system, which in turn leads to very homogeneous properties of the consolidated textile fabric.

Compared with a textile fabric which exclusively has starch as the binder component, the textile fabric consolidated according to the invention is improved or at least equivalent in terms of its hygroscopic behavior, strength, in particular wet and hot strength, brittleness, aging behavior and flexibility.

Considerable cost savings arise because of the predominant use of starch, in particular of natural starch. In addition, a completely formaldehyde-free binder system is obtained which, surprisingly, does not cause a deterioration in the product properties, in particular with respect to the mechanical properties of the textile fabric, such as, strength, for example.

For the person skilled in the art, it was surprising here that the binder system according to the invention can be applied to the textile fabric in a sufficiently high solids concentration. Hitherto, a person skilled in the art would have known that binder systems which comprise natural, i.e., native starch, cannot reach the required binder content of ≥ <NUM>% by weight [binder content after drying, based on the total weight of the raw textile fabric] in a single application.

Accordingly, the binder system according to the invention preferably has a solids concentration of a minimum of <NUM>% by weight, wherein the specifications regarding the proportions by weight are based on the dry mass of the binder system, i.e., without water, and the sum of constituents a) to e) is <NUM>% by weight.

The polyvinyl alcohol polymers used as component a) according to the invention are commercially available polyvinyl alcohols which have a degree of saponification of <NUM>-<NUM>%. Fully saponified polyvinyl alcohols may also be used.

The polyvinyl alcohol polymers used according to the invention can have up to <NUM> mol% of other co-monomer units, for example monomer units based on ethylene so that, in addition to the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers, co- or terpolymers are also included. The polymers based on polyvinyl alcohols used according to the invention are preferably homopolymers.

The polyvinyl alcohol polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, for example, from Kuraray under the name POVAL® or Mowiol®.

The polyvinyl alcohol polymers used according to the invention can be mixed with the natural starch as an aqueous dispersion or solution, or even in powder form. The components can be pre-mixed individually or together in water and heated to a temperature below the boiling point of water, e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>, and adjusted with regard to the viscosity. The binder system is then adjusted to the application temperature, i.e., heated or cooled as required.

Insofar as component a) of the binder system according to the invention is to be used as an aqueous polymer dispersion, conventional and known emulsifiers or protective colloids can be added for stabilization. These are known to a person skilled in the art (cf. Examples of emulsifiers are polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, phosphoric acid esters and their salts, sulfonated paraffin hydrocarbons, higher alkyl sulfates (e.g., lauryl sulfate), alkali metal salts of fatty acids such as sodium stearate or sodium oleate, sulfuric acid half-esters of ethoxylated fatty acid alcohols, salts of esters and half-esters of alkylpolyoxyethylene sulfosuccinates, salts of sulfonated alkylaromatics such as, for example, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, ethoxylated C4-C12 alkylphenols and their sulfonation products, and esters of sulfosuccinic acid. Examples of protective colloids are alkylhydroxyalkylcelluloses, partially or fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols and copolymers thereof, acrylic acid, homo- and copolymers and partially neutralized salts thereof, acrylamide copolymers, polyacrylate copolymers and salts thereof, carboxyalkylcellulose, such as carboxymethylcellulose and salts thereof.

In addition, component a) can be present as true dispersions, colloidally disperse or molecularly disperse dispersions, but in general as so-called partial dispersions, i.e., aqueous systems which are partially molecularly disperse and partly colloidally disperse.

Insofar as component a) of the binder system according to the invention is to be used as an aqueous polymer dispersion or polymer solution, the solids content is preferably between <NUM> - <NUM>% by weight, in particular between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight, particularly preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight (determined according to DIN EN ISO <NUM>).

Insofar as the component a) of the binder system according to the invention is to be used as an aqueous polymer dispersion, the viscosity is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s, in particular from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s (determined according to DIN EN ISO <NUM> and at <NUM>).

Insofar as the component a) of the binder system according to the invention is to be used as an aqueous polymer dispersion, the pH (measured as a <NUM>% by weight solution in water) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> (determined according to DIN ISO <NUM>).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the binder system according to the invention essentially comprises no additional polyacrylate dispersion based on acrylic acid and/or modified acrylic acid, especially methacrylic acid, monomers, as well as maleic acid/maleic anhydride and/or styrene maleic anhydride (SMA). In this context, "essentially" means that up to <NUM>% by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol is replaced by polyacrylates, wherein the total quantity of components a) remains unchanged. The binder system according to the invention particularly preferably comprises essentially no additional polyacrylate dispersion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the binder system according to the invention essentially comprises no additional polyvinyl acetate dispersions. In this context, "essentially" means that up to <NUM>% by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol is replaced by polyvinyl acetate, wherein the total quantity of components a) remains unchanged. The binder system according to the invention particularly preferably comprises essentially no additional polyvinylacetate dispersion.

The starches used according to the invention are not subject to any restrictions, but they must be compatible with the component a) and, if appropriate, with components c), d) and e).

Suitable starches according to the invention are natural, so-called native starches, as well as modified starches. Starches which have sufficient cold solubility and/or hot solubility are generally advantageous.

The starch used according to the invention is preferably (a) a natural starch or a mixture of a natural starch with other natural starches, or (b) a natural starch or a mixture of one or more natural starches with other starches, wherein the mixture has a minimum of <NUM>% by weight of natural starch(es).

A group of natural starches which can be used in the context of the invention comprises the starches obtained from vegetable raw materials. These include, among others, starches from tubers such as potatoes, manioc, maranta, batata, from grain such as wheat, maize, rye, rice, barley, millet, oats, sorghum, from fruits such as chestnuts, acorns, beans, peas, and other legumes, bananas, as well as from plant pulp, e.g., from the sago palm.

The starches which can be used in the context of the invention essentially consist of amylose and amylopectin, in varying proportions.

The molecular weights of the starches for use in accordance with the invention can vary over a wide range. Starches essentially consisting of a mixture of amylose and amylopectin preferably have molecular weights Mw in the range between <NUM>×<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>×<NUM><NUM>, particularly preferably between <NUM>×<NUM><NUM> and <NUM>×<NUM><NUM>.

The natural starches used according to the invention consist predominantly of natural starches or mixtures of natural starches.

For the purposes of the present invention, "other" starches are understood to be non-natural starches, i.e., modified starches such as cationic or anionic starches or starch derivatives (so-called chemically modified starches).

In addition to starches of native plant origin, modified starches which are chemically modified, obtained by fermentation, of recombinant origin or are produced by biotransformation (biocatalysis) are also possible.

A synonym for the term "biotransformation" that is also used is the term "biocatalysis".

"Chemically modified starches" should be understood to mean those starches the properties of which have been chemically modified in comparison with the natural properties. This is achieved essentially by polymer-analogous reactions in which starch is treated with mono-, bi- or polyfunctional reagents or oxidizing agents. The hydroxyl groups of the starch are preferably converted by etherification, esterification or selective oxidation, or the modification is based on a free-radical-initiated graft copolymerization of copolymerizable unsaturated monomers onto the starch backbone.

Specific chemically modified starches include, among others, starch esters such as xanthogenates, acetates, phosphates, sulfates, nitrates, starch ethers such as, e.g., nonionic, anionic or cationic starch ethers, oxidized starches such as dialdehyde starch, carboxy starch, persulfate-degraded starches and like substances.

"Fermentative starches" are, in the language of the invention, starches which are obtained by fermentative processes using naturally occurring organisms such as fungi, algae or bacteria, or can be obtained by activating and using fermentative processes. Examples of starches from fermentative processes comprise, among others, gum arabic and related polysaccharides (gellan gum, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth), xanthan, emulsan, rhamsan, wellan, schizophyllan, polygalacturonate, laminarine, amylose, amylopectin and pectins.

By "starches of recombinant origin" or "recombinant starches", the invention means individual starches which are obtained by fermentative processes using organisms not occurring in nature, but natural organisms modified with the help of genetic methods, such as fungi, algae or bacteria, or which can be obtained by activating and using fementative processes. Examples of starches from fermentative, genetically modified processes are, among others, amylose, amylopectin and polyglucans.

In the context of the invention, "starches manufactured by biotransformation" means that starches, amylose, amylopectin or polyglucans are prepared by catalytic reaction of monomeric basic building blocks, generally oligomeric saccharides, in particular mono- and disaccharides, in which a biocatalyst (also: enzyme) is used under specific conditions. Examples of starches from biocatalytic processes are, among others, polyglucan and modified polyglucans, polyfructan and modified polyfructans.

Furthermore, derivatives of the individual starches mentioned are also encompassed by the invention. In this context, the terms "derivatives of starches" or "starch derivatives" mean generally modified starches, i.e., those starches in which the natural amylose/amylopectin ratio has been modified in order to alter their properties, a pre-gelatinization has been carried out, partial hydrolytic degradation has been carried out or chemical derivatization has been carried out.

Specific derivatives of starches include, among others, oxidized starches, e.g., dialdehyde starch or other oxidation products containing carboxyl functions, or native ionic starches (e.g., with phosphate groups) or further ionically modified starches, this meaning that both anionic and cationic modifications are included.

The destructurized starches which can be used within the context of the invention include those which have been homogenized, for example, by means of glycerin, so that no more crystalline reflections occur in the X-ray diffraction diagram and starch granules or double-breaking regions are no longer visible at a magnification of <NUM> under the polarization microscope. In this connection, reference is made to <CIT>, the disclosure of which also forms part of this description of the destructured starches.

In a preferred embodiment, the natural starches used according to the invention as well as the entire binder system do not contain any modified starches, for example starches which are chemically modified, are fermentatively obtained, are of recombinant origin or have been manufactured by biotransformation (biocatalysis).

The starches used according to the invention are commercially available, for example from Avebe, Cargill, National Starch, Penford Products Co Purac or Südstärke.

Starches which have sufficient cold solubility and/or sufficient hot solubility are particularly advantageous. A sufficient solubility is provided when the viscosity of the binder system according to the invention allows for appropriate processability.

The binder used according to the invention can also contain up to <NUM>% by weight of crosslinker.

The crosslinkers used as component c) according to the invention are synthetic resins based on urea-formaldehyde (UF), melamine-formaldehyde (MF) or mixtures (MUF).

In addition, the following substances are also suitable as component c): polyisocyanate compounds, for example tolylene diisocyanate, hydrogenated tolylene diisocyanate, adducts of trimethylolpropane and tolylene diisocyanate, triphenylmethane triisocyanate, methylenebis (<NUM>-phenylmethane) triisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, their reaction products with ketoxime or phenol; polyaldehydes, for example glyoxal, succindialdehyde, malonaldehyde, maleic acid dialdehyde, phthalic acid dialdehyde, glutaric acid aldehyde, adipaldehyde; polyepoxy compounds, for example ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, glycerol triglycidyl ether, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, diglycidylaniline, diglycidylamine;.

Suitable crosslinkers are, for example, Polycup <NUM> polyamide epichlorohydrin, Encor <NUM> (polyacrylic acid with sodium hypophosphite catalyst) and ammonium zirconium carbonate.

Alkali metal hypophosphites and alkali metal phosphite catalysts are particularly suitable.

The catalyst is preferably an alkali/alkaline earth phosphinate; Na phosphinate is particularly preferred as a catalyst.

The presence of the catalyst causes the crosslinking reaction between OH groups of the starch that is present and the carboxylic acid from the polymers that is present to be accelerated and additionally brings about a markedly reduced yellowing for the same thermal load during curing of the binder system.

The thermodimensional stability of the textile fabric can if necessary be improved by using a crosslinker.

The binder system used according to the invention can also contain up to <NUM>% by weight of filler. Suitable fillers are inorganic fillers of natural and/or synthetic origin.

The inorganic fillers are, for example, mineral fillers, preferably loam, clay, calcined loam, calcined clay, lime, chalk, natural and/or synthetic carbonates, natural and/or synthetic oxides, carbides, natural and/or synthetic hydroxides, sulfates and phosphates, based on natural and/or synthetic silicates, silicas, silicon and/or quartz, fluorite or talc. Optionally, the fillers are silanized or rendered additionally hydrophobic.

The binder system used according to the invention can also contain up to <NUM>% by weight of additives. These are commercially available additives such as preservatives, stabilizers, anti-oxidants, defoamers, hydrophobing agents, UV stabilizers, plasticizers, adhesion promoters, wetting agents, foaming auxiliaries and/or pigments. These are contained in commercial products to some extent and serve to stabilize storage and transport or can also be added subsequently in order to meet the customer's specifications.

The adhesion promoter promotes adhesion of the binder to the surface of the fibers of the textile fabric. Depending on the type of fiber, various adhesion promoters are used. Insofar as the textile fabric has glass fibers, in particular silanes, especially organo-functionalized silanes, are suitable.

The adhesion promoter is preferably silane A187. Such adhesion promoters are marketed, among others, by the company Momentive under the name Silquest A-<NUM>.

In the context of this description, the term "textile fabric" should be understood in its broadest sense. Thus, this encompasses all structures made from fibers which have been manufactured according to a fabric-forming technique. The fiber-forming materials are natural fibers, mineral fibers, glass fibers, fibers formed from synthetic products and/or fibers formed from synthesized polymers. Woven fabrics, mats, knitted fabrics, crocheted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, particularly preferably non-woven fabrics should be understood to constitute textile fabrics in the context of the present invention.

The textile fabrics based on mineral fibers and/or glass fibers are, in particular, non-woven fabrics based on mineral fibers and/or glass fibers. The aforementioned non-woven fabrics based on mineral fibers and/or glass fibers can also be combined with further textile fabrics, in particular non-woven fabrics.

The glass fiber non-woven fabrics or mineral fiber non-woven fabrics used can be produced by all known methods. In particular, glass fiber non-woven fabrics which are manufactured by means of the wet laying method, the dry laying method or the air laid technique are suitable. In the context of the manufacturing method, in particular in the wet laying method, these non-woven fabrics can also contain small amounts of chemical auxiliaries, e.g., thickeners, defoamers, etc which are dictated by the process. These substances derive from the circulating water during the manufacture of non-woven fabrics.

The mineral fiber non-woven fabrics used according to the invention can be consolidated by the binder system according to the invention and additionally by mechanical measures, e.g., needling or hydrodynamic needling. Particular preference is given to carded non-woven fabrics made of filaments, i.e., continuous fibers or staple fibers. The mean diameter of the mineral fibers is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Suitable mineral fibers include aluminosilicate, ceramic, dolomite fibers or fibers from vulcanites e.g., basalt, diabase, melaphyre. These are collectively referred to as palaeobasalts, wherein diabase is also often referred to as greenstone.

The basis weight of the mineral fiber non-woven fabric used according to the invention is between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>. The above specifications are also valid for the glass non-woven fabrics described below.

The glass fiber non-woven fabrics used according to the invention can be consolidated by binders or even by mechanical measures, e.g., needling or hydrodynamic needling. The glass fibers may be filaments or continuous or cut glass fibers, wherein in the latter case, the length of the fibers is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The mean diameter of the glass fibers is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Suitable glass fibers include glass types such as E-glass, S-glass, R-glass or C-glass; for economic reasons, E-glass or C-glass is preferred.

Within the textile fabrics based on synthetic polymer, non-woven fabrics made from fibers formed from synthetic polymers, in particular spunbonded fabric, so-called spunbonds, which are produced by a random deposition of freshly melt-spun filaments, are preferred. They consist of continuous synthetic fibers made from melt-spinnable polymer materials. Examples of suitable polymer materials are polyamides such as polyhexamethylene diadipamide, polycaprolactam, aromatic or semi-aromatic polyamides ("aramids"), aliphatic polyamides such as nylon, semi-aromatic or fully aromatic polyesters, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polymers containing ether and keto groups such as, for example, polyether ketones (PEK) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or polybenzimidazoles.

Preferably, the spun non-woven fabrics are made from melt-spinnable polyesters. Suitable polyester materials are, in principle, all known types suitable for fiber manufacture. Such polyesters consist predominantly of building blocks which are derived from aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic diols. Common aromatic dicarboxylic acid building blocks are the divalent residues of benzenedicarboxylic acids, in particular terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid; common diols contain <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, wherein ethylene glycol is particularly suitable. Particularly advantageous are spun non-woven fabrics which consist of at least <NUM> mol% of polyethylene terephthalate. The remaining <NUM> mol% is then built up from dicarboxylic acid units and glycol units, which act as so-called modifiers and which allow the person skilled in the art to specifically modify the physical and chemical properties of the filaments produced. Examples of such dicarboxylic acid units are residues of isophthalic acid or of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, such as, for example, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid; examples of modifying diol residues are those of longer-chain diols, e.g., of propanediol or butanediol, of di- or triethylene glycol or, if present in small amounts, of polyglycol with a molecular weight of about <NUM> to <NUM>.

Particular preference is given to polyesters which contain at least <NUM> mol% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in particular those of unmodified PET.

The individual titers of the polyester filaments in the spun non-woven fabric are between <NUM> and <NUM> dtex, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex.

The basis weight of the fabric used according to the invention made from fibers of synthetic products, in particular of synthetic polymers, is between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>. The above specifications also apply to spun non-woven fabrics, in particular to spun non-woven fabrics based on melt-spinnable synthetic polymers, wherein polyester is particularly preferred.

In addition to the aforementioned spun non-woven fabrics, so-called staple fiber sheets are also possible based on the synthetic polymer mentioned above. The individual titers of the staple fibers in the staple fiber sheet are usually between <NUM> and <NUM> dtex, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex. The staple fibers usually have a fiber length of <NUM>-<NUM>. The basis weight of the staple fiber sheets is between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>.

In a further embodiment of the invention, especially when used as reinforcing inserts for roofing sheets, the textile fabrics have at least one reinforcement. This is preferably designed in such a way that the reinforcement absorbs a force so that in the force-expansion diagram (at <NUM>) the reference force of the reinforcing insert with reinforcement compared with the reinforcing insert without reinforcement in the range between <NUM> and <NUM>% elongation differs by at least <NUM>% at at least one point.

In a further embodiment, the reinforcement can also be installed such that force is absorbed by the reinforcement only at higher extensions.

For economic reasons, preferred reinforcements consist of glass multifilaments in the form of - essentially - parallel yarn sheets or layers. Usually, only one reinforcement is made in the longitudinal direction of the non-woven fabrics by means of - essentially - parallel yarn sheets.

The reinforcing threads can be used as such or in the form of their own textile fabric, for example as a woven fabric, mat, knitted fabric, crocheted fabric or as a non-woven fabric. Preference is given to reinforcements having mutually parallel reinforcing yarns, i.e., warp thread sheets, as well as mats or woven fabrics.

The reference force is measured according to EN <NUM>, part <NUM>, on <NUM> wide specimens with a clamping length of <NUM>. The numerical value of the preload force, expressed in centinewton, corresponds to the numerical value of the basis weight of the sample, expressed in grams per square meter.

The reinforcement can be effected by incorporating the reinforcements in the textile fabric, on at least one side of the textile fabric, or else at any point of the reinforcing insert, in particular in further textile fabrics which are different from the first textile fabric or as an independent textile fabric.

For use as a reinforcing insert, the consolidated textile fabric according to the invention can have further textile fabrics, in addition to the already described textile fabric according to the invention. These further textile fabrics are preferably different from the first-named textile fabric, i.e., consist of a different material.

Insofar as the textile fabric is constructed from synthetic polymer, it may be necessary to incorporate further textile fabrics into the reinforcing insert according to the invention in order to optimize the application-related properties.

The textile fabrics formed from synthetic polymer used according to the invention are technical products and therefore have a corresponding reference force (according to EN <NUM>, part <NUM>, on <NUM> wide specimens with a <NUM> clamping length). The numerical value of the preload force, expressed in centinewton, corresponds to the numerical value of the basis weight of the sample, expressed in grams per square meter. Due to its technical character, the reference force is ≥ 10N/<NUM> for weights of <NUM>/m<NUM> and ≥ 600N/<NUM> for weights of <NUM>/m<NUM>. Accordingly, the specific reference force M (N/<NUM>/basis weight in g/m<NUM> ) is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM><NUM>/gcm, in particular between <NUM> and <NUM><NUM>/gcm.

As already described, the textile fabric consolidated by means of the binder according to the invention has a significantly higher proportion of natural starch, i.e., unmodified renewable raw materials, compared with consolidated textile fabrics based on modified starches, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the consolidated textile fabric. The textile fabrics consolidated by means of the binder according to the invention have good wet strength and excellent mechanical strength, but are cheaper to produce. The same applies to dimensional stability upon heating, which is also maintained despite the exchange of significant proportions of component a) by components b). Despite the high proportion of component b), the brittleness of textile fabrics consolidated by means of the binder system according to the invention is quite low.

The binder according to the invention is, furthermore, slightly hygroscopic, so that no restrictions can be envisaged in using the consolidated textile fabrics as reinforcing inserts in the manufacture of PVC flooring, for example by blistering.

In addition, it has been found that the binder according to the invention allows for very good miscibility. The combination according to the invention of polyvinyl alcohol polymers and starch, but in particular of natural starch(es) or mixtures of starches which predominantly, i.e., a minimum of <NUM>% by weight, consist of of natural starch(es), results in binder systems which have a high homogeneity. This high homogeneity results in a good distribution of the binder and in the textile fabric during the application of the binder, which in turn leads to very homogeneous properties of the consolidated textile fabric.

Compared with a textile fabric which exclusively has starch as a binder component, the textile fabric consolidated according to the invention is improved or at least equivalent in terms of its hygroscopic behavior, strength, in particular wet and hot strength, brittleness, aging behavior and flexibility.

Considerable cost savings are made because of the predominant use of starch, in particular of natural starch. In addition, a completely formaldehyde-free binder system is obtained which, surprisingly, does not cause a deterioration in the product properties, in particular with respect to the mechanical properties of the textile fabric such as, for example, strength.

For the person skilled in the art, it was surprising that the binder system according to the invention can be applied to the textile fabric in a sufficiently high solids concentration. Hitherto, a person skilled in the art would have known that binder systems which comprise natural, i.e., native starch, do not reach the required binder content of ≥ <NUM>% by weight [binder content after drying, based on the total weight of the raw textile fabric], in a single application.

Accordingly, the binder system according to the invention preferably has a solids concentration of a minimum of <NUM>% by weight, wherein the specifications regarding the proportions by weight are based on the dry mass of the binder system, i.e., without water, and the sum of constituents a) to e) is <NUM>% by weight. The solids concentration of the components a) and b) of the binder system is preferably between <NUM>% by weight and <NUM>% by weight, particularly preferably between <NUM>% by weight and <NUM>% by weight.

The textile fabric consolidated according to the invention can itself be used as a reinforcing insert or in combination with further textile fabrics as a reinforcing insert for coated sarking membrane, roofing and waterproofing sheets, and as a textile backing or textile reinforcement in flooring, in particular fitted carpets and PVC flooring, or in facers, wall coatings for the interior and exterior of buildings, furniture, since these do not suffer from yellowing compared with previous known products, in particular in the case of thermal curing of the binder system, and thus are particularly suitable as a decorative surface. In addition, the textile fabrics consolidated according to the invention can also be used for flooring applications and in the field of filtration.

Polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, EPDM or TPO (polyolefins) are used as coating materials for flooring or carpet backings. In addition, bitumen is used for the coated sarking membranes, roofing and waterproofing sheets.

The bituminized sheets contain at least one carrier membrane - as described above - embedded in a bitumen matrix, wherein the proportion by weight of the bitumen on the basis weight of the bituminized roofing membrane is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight and that of the spun non-woven fabric is <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight.

The textile fabrics used according to the invention are manufactured by means of known methods and procedures. The consolidated textile fabric according to the invention is manufactured as definated in claim <NUM> to <NUM>.

The applied quantities and other characteristics of the binder system have already been described in detail in the introduction and are also valid for the method.

The textile fabric is formed using known means.

The mechanical consolidating which may be carried out is also carried out using known methods.

The reinforcement, if any, is incorporated during or after the formation of the textile fabric or before or during coating with the binder system according to the invention. The supply of the reinforcement and any further optional heat treatment in the manufacturing process is preferably carried out under tension, in particular under longitudinal tension.

Any further textile fabrics to be incorporated are supplied before or during consolidation of the binder according to the invention.

The application of the binder system in step B) is likewise carried out by means of known methods. The applied binder (after drying) is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight of dry binder, in particular <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight, particularly preferably <NUM> and <NUM>% by weight of dry binder, based on the total weight of the raw textile fabric.

Because of the nature of the binder according to the invention, it is possible for the required amount of binder to be applied in one application step.

Drying or consolidating and curing of the binder is likewise accomplished by means of methods known to the person skilled in the art, wherein temperatures of at least <NUM> to <NUM> have been shown to be advantageous.

The individual method steps are known per se, but they are patentable in the combination or sequence of the invention and the use of the binder system according to the invention.

The basis weight is determined according to DIN EN ISO <NUM>-<NUM>.

The fiber diameter is determined according to DIN EN ISO <NUM> (<NUM> version).

Claim 1:
A textile fabric consolidated with a binder comprising:
a) <NUM> to ≤ <NUM>% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol polymers, and
b) ≥ <NUM>% by weight of starch having a minimum of <NUM>% by weight of natural starch(es), preferably a natural starch or a mixture of a natural starch with other natural starches or preferably a natural starch or a mixture of one or more natural starches with other starches,
c) <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of crosslinker,
d) <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of fillers,
e) <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of additives,
wherein the specifications regarding the proportions by weight are based on the dry mass of the binder, i.e., without water, and the sum of the components a) to e) is <NUM>% by weight.