A new foam coated nonwoven fibrous mat having properties particularly
suited for a facer on gypsum wallboard, laminates made therefrom and the
method of making the mat is disclosed. The mat preferably contains a
major portion of glass fibers and a minor portion of a resinous binder.
The foam coating is permeable and reduces fiber dust and abrasion
experienced in the past with relatively coarse, relatively inexpensive
glass fibers in the mat. Contrary to previous methods, the foam coated
fibrous mat is made in-line on a wet mat forming production line by
applying a wet foam binder onto a wet, fibrous web followed by drying and
curing in-line.