| abstract |
A method of producing a composite article comprises the steps of obtaining material in fibre or particulate form from a waste product, coating fibres or particles of the material with a binder (in a mixer 24), drying the coated product (on a belt dryer 28) and pressing at least a portion of the material in a mould 32 to form an article. In another aspect, the method comprises obtaining first and second waste products in particulate form, separately coating the particles of the first and second waste products, layering the particles of the first and second waste products in a mould 32 and pressing the layered first and second waste products to form a composite article. Reinforcing materials 42 may be introduced to the mould 32 atop the first layer (40) (figure 3 - not shown). The waste product may be selected from a group comprising mineral, cement block, paper, sterilised municipal waste, glass. The particles of waste product may have a size distribution of between 20um and 200um. The binder may comprise a water based polymer, such as an acrylic polymer. |