METHOD OF IMPROVING THE HYDROPHOBIC PROPERTIES OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS WITHOUT LEAVING AN ACIDIC RESIDUE

摘要

A method for improving the hydrophobic properties of a cellulosic material having a measurable moisture content without leaving an acidic residue comprises immersing the material in an inert gas, treating the material at a first temperature of between about 180° F. and about 250° F. with a vapor of silane until the silane reacts with the moisture to form hydroxysilanes and an acid vapor, then treating the material at a second temperature of between about 280° F. and about 350° F. until the hydroxysilanes convert to dehydrated silanes that are diffusely resident in the material, and removing the moisture, the acid vapor and remaining silane vapor until the treated material is substantially acid free.